Tips & Resources

Apply for citizenship

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, including:

  • Being a permanent resident of Canada.
  • Having lived in Canada for a certain period (usually at least 1,095 days out of the past five years before applying).
  • Meeting language requirements (proficiency in English or French).
  • Passing a citizenship test on Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols.
  • Meeting other criteria related to taxes, criminal history, and residency obligations.

Check your eligibility here, to apply for citizenship.

Once you’re eligible to apply for citizenship, you can follow below steps:

You can check your application status online and update if required and/or asked by IRCC:

  • only after you’ve received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email
    • You’ll get an AOR after we receive your application and check that it’s complete.
    • It can take some time before you receive it.

Check you application status

 

While your application is in progress, you can contact IRCC if any of your information on your application changes or if you 

  • change your address
  • plan to leave Canada for more than 2 weeks in a row
  • can’t check your application status online and the normal processing time for your application has passed
  • are charged with a crime
  • applied as part of a group, but now want to continue the application by yourself
  • need an accommodation or a waiver (exemption) for
    • the citizenship test
    • proving your English or French language skills
    • the oath of citizenship

Note: You ‘re not advised to contact IRCC about your application status if you don’t have an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter. 

Most people need to take the citizenship test as part of the application. To schedule a citizenship test appointment in Canada, you typically follow below steps:

  • Check Your Eligibility: Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for taking the citizenship test. This includes meeting the residency requirements, having the required language proficiency, and passing the necessary background checks.
  • Test Invitation to Take the Test: After submitting your citizenship application and meeting all eligibility criteria, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will send an email to the email address mentioned in your application, informing you of your test appointment (mostly online, but Microsoft Teams or in person tests will be accommodated as per need).
  • Review Online Test Information: Read the notice carefully to understand the date, time, and location of your citizenship test appointment. Note any specific instructions provided, such as documents to be presented or items not allowed.
  • Prepare for the Online Test: Study the Discover Canada guide and practice your testing using our practice test repository to prepare for the citizenship test. Familiarize yourself with Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols, as these are the topics covered in the test.
  • Attend the Online Test Appointment: On the scheduled date and time, specified in your appointment notice. Make sure to follow the instructions on using the right electronic devices and browsers, presenting your identification and information such as your permanent resident card or a valid ID, application number, valid email address, UCI.
  • Take the Test Online: You must wait for the test invitation before you take the online test (otherwise, you won’t be able to sign in). You have 30 calendar days to complete the test. Within this 30-day period, you have up to 3 chances to pass the test. If you fail the test the first time, you have 2 more chances to pass it.
  • Receive Test Results: After completing the online test, you’ll get the unofficial test score right after you submit the test. For the final test results, IRCC will take some time to further review the recorded online test and publish the official result.

Taking the Oath of Citizenship at a citizenship ceremony is the final step to become a Canadian citizen. Citizenship ceremonies take place across the country and at all times of the year. There are special ceremonies on Canada Day and during Citizenship Week.

 

IRCC will send invite most applicants to a video oath ceremony (virtual citizenship ceremony). Some applicants may be invited to an in-person ceremony.

 

Who has to take the oath:

  • Adults and children aged 14 or over must go to the citizenship ceremony and take the oath.
  • Parents will get certificates of citizenship for their children under age 14. Children under age 14 don’t have to go, but are welcome to.

Get your citizenship ceremony date:

IRCC will send an email or mail invite to the citizenship ceremony by 1 to 2 weeks in advance. The invitation will have the ceremony’s

  • time and date
  • video conference link (for a video oath ceremony)
  • location (for an in-person ceremony)

Language of your ceremony:
Your notice tells you if your ceremony will be mostly in English, mostly in French, or bilingual. If you want to attend a bilingual ceremony, contact the office that sent you the notice.

 

What to bring:

Your ceremony invitation will have the checklist informing what to bring for the ceremony, refer below:

  • ceremony notice
  • a signed copy of the Permission Release and Consent form (included with the notice)
  • permanent resident card if you have one (even if it’s expired) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292 or IMM5688)
  • Record of Landing (IMM 1000) if you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002
  • 2 pieces of personal identification (ID)
    • one piece of ID must have your photograph and signature, for example: driver’s licence, health card or permanent resident card
    • foreign ID documents must be government-issued, Canadian ones don’t need to be government-issued
    • if they’re not in English or French, you must provide a translation with an affidavit from the translator
    • minors are not required to show identification with a signature
  • all your passports and travel documents, current and expired, that you listed on the application form
  • optional: a holy book, of your choice, if you want to use one to swear the Oath of Citizenship

What happens at the ceremony:

During your ceremony, you will:

  • take the Oath of Citizenship
  • get your citizenship certificate
  • sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form
  • sing the national anthem, O Canada

Congratulations on becoming a Canadian citizen and welcome to the Canadian family! Find out about information and services for new Canadians.

 

Get your citizenship certificate:

A Canadian citizenship certificate proves that you’re a Canadian citizen. Depending on the format you chose when you applied, you’ll get one of the below option:

  • a paper certificate right after ceremony for in-person
  • a paper certificate via mail for virtual ceremony
  • an electronic certificate (IRCC account required).

Get your passport

You must wait to get your citizenship certificate after the ceremony before you can apply for a passport. A valid Canadian passport proves you have the right to enter Canada. Your citizenship certificate is not a travel document.

 

Register to vote

As a Canadian citizen, you have the right and responsibility to vote.

Access the best of Canadian culture

Download the free Canoo mobile app to access the best of Canadian culture! Canoo is an initiative by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

  • Adults and their children can get 1 year of free admission to over 1,400 events and destinations, including museums, national parks and historic sites.
  • If you used Canoo as a permanent resident (PR), you can’t use it again as a new citizen.
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