Citizenship Applications

To submit a Canadian citizenship application, an individual generally needs to meet the following requirements:

have permanent resident status in Canada;
meet a physical presence in Canada test. Specifically, they must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the 5 years before they apply;
demonstrate language proficiency, unless they are exempt due to age;
not have a recent criminal record or be under investigation for a crime;
have filed Canadian income taxes, if required; and
pass a citizenship test.

Physical Presence

A person is required to be physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days during the 5 years immediately preceding the date of application. Time spent in Canada before become a permanent resident may be used. Each day spent physically in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person within the last five years, before becomming a permanent resident, will count as one half day, with a maximum of 365 days towards one’s physical presence.

Language Requirement

All applicants 18-54 years of age must submit proof that demonstrates adequate knowledge of English or French. Acceptable proof includes:

Results from a third-party language test.
- CELPIP-G
- IELTS
- TEF
Proof of having attended a secondary or post-secondary education program in English or French, either in Canada or abroad.
Proof of achieving Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveau de competence linguistique canadien (CLB/NCLC) level 4 or higher in speaking and listening skills through certain government-funded language training programs.

Duolingo is not accepted as proof of meeting the language requirement.