How to get Canadian citizenship
Canadian citizenship step by step: who is eligible, how to count your days in Canada, the online application and fee, the citizenship test and the oath ceremony. Every fact links to IRCC.
By the Canada Exam Prep Editorial Team ·
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- Checked October 17, 2026
Permanent residents become Canadian citizens through a grant of citizenship from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The citizenship test is only one part of it: you first meet the eligibility rules, send a complete application with the fee, take the test if you are in the age group that must, and finish by taking the oath at a citizenship ceremony.
This guide puts the whole path in order, with the checks to do before you apply, the documents to gather, what happens while you wait and the mistakes that get applications returned. Each step links to the IRCC page it comes from. IRCC does not publish a fixed processing time, so plan around its notices rather than a date. When you reach the test, use the practice tests, mock exam and study guide linked below.
Step by step
Check that you are eligible
You need valid permanent resident status, at least 1,095 days (3 years) of physical presence in Canada in the 5 years before you sign, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident, and tax filing for at least 3 of those 5 years if you were required to file. Adults aged 18 to 54 must also show English or French speaking and listening at CLB or NCLC level 4.
Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can applyCalculate your physical presence
Count your days with IRCC's physical presence calculator. To apply online you must use the calculator inside your online account; for a paper application, include the calculator printout or the completed CIT 0407 form. A travel journal of your trips helps but is not sent with the application.
Source: IRCC — Calculate physical presenceGather your documents
A paper application for an adult includes copies of the identity pages of every passport or travel document held during the 5-year eligibility period, 2 pieces of ID, proof of language (ages 18 to 54), 2 identical citizenship photos and the fee receipt; online, your account lists what to upload. Police certificates are needed if you spent 183 or more days in a row in another country in the past 4 years since you turned 18.
Source: IRCC — Adult application: forms and documentsPay the fee and submit the application
IRCC encourages online applications, which check for errors and send a confirmation email. Apply on paper only if your days include time abroad as a Crown servant (or family member of one) or a representative will submit for you. On paper, sign and date the form on the same day as your physical presence calculation and mail it within 90 days, with the full fee paid.
Source: IRCC — How to apply for citizenshipWait for the acknowledgement of receipt and keep IRCC informed
Once your application is checked as complete, IRCC sends an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) with your application number; the online confirmation email is not the AOR. While you wait, keep your PR status, answer IRCC requests (usually within 30 days), report address changes and tell IRCC before leaving Canada for more than 2 weeks in a row. You may be asked for fingerprints.
Source: IRCC — After you apply for citizenshipTake the citizenship test (ages 18 to 54)
The invitation arrives by email a few weeks or months after you apply. Most people take the test online with webcam monitoring; you have 30 days to take it and 3 chances to pass, in English or French. In-person or Microsoft Teams tests are arranged as accommodations.
Source: IRCC — How the citizenship test worksAttend the ceremony and take the oath
For most applicants the ceremony is the last step. The invitation comes at least 1 week before the date, by email if you gave one. If you cannot attend, ask to reschedule within 30 days after the ceremony date; a second missed or refused ceremony can close your application.
Source: IRCC — When to go to your citizenship ceremonyGet your proof of citizenship and a passport
An e-certificate is available in the IRCC Portal within 5 business days of IRCC receiving your signed oath form. A paper certificate is handed to you at an in-person ceremony, or mailed 2 to 4 weeks after a virtual one. The certificate is not a travel document: apply for a Canadian passport once you have it.
Source: IRCC — After the citizenship ceremony
Who can get it
- Valid permanent resident status, with no removal order and no unmet PR conditions. An expired PR card is fine as long as you have not lost PR status. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
- At least 1,095 days in Canada in the 5 years before you sign, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident. Days as a temporary resident or protected person count as half days, up to 365 days; time in prison, on parole or on probation does not count. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
- Canadian income tax filed for at least 3 of the 5 years before you apply, if you were required to file. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
- Ages 18 to 54 on the day you sign: proof of English or French speaking and listening at CLB or NCLC level 4, and a pass on the citizenship test. Adults 55 and over are exempt from both; waivers exist for special cases. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
- No prohibition, which mostly arises from criminal charges, convictions or security concerns in or outside Canada; some prohibitions end after a set time. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
- Children under 18 apply with a minor application. They do not take the test or prove language, and children under 14 do not take the oath. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Adult application (processing fee plus right of citizenship fee) | $653 CAD | Source: IRCC — Fee list |
| Minor application, for a child (processing fee) | $100 CAD | Source: IRCC — Fee list |
| Citizenship test | No separate fee: the test is not listed in IRCC's citizenship fees | Source: IRCC — Fee list |
| Language proof, police certificates and certified translations, if you need them | Not confirmed by an official source; check with the provider | Source: IRCC — Adult application: forms and documents |
Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.
Where to take the test
Most applicants take the citizenship test online, from anywhere, using the link in their invitation, with a webcam monitoring them. Some take it in person (on paper, alone or in a group, or orally) or by Microsoft Teams video call when an accommodation is arranged; you can ask for one after you receive your invitation. Source: IRCC — How the citizenship test works
What to bring or have ready
- For the online test: your PR card (even expired) or a valid photo ID with your photo and signature, a desktop, laptop or tablet with a working webcam, Chrome or Safari, and a reliable connection. Phones and VPNs are not allowed, and the 45-minute timer cannot be paused once it starts. Source: IRCC — Take the citizenship test online
- For a paper application: copies of the identity pages of every passport or travel document from your eligibility period, 2 pieces of ID (a PR card can be one; the other must be government-issued), one accepted language proof if you are 18 to 54, 2 citizenship photos and your fee receipt. Online applicants follow the list in their account. Source: IRCC — Adult application: forms and documents
- For the ceremony: your invitation, your PR card (even expired) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence, and 2 pieces of ID, at least one with your photo and signature. Virtual ceremonies also need your seat number and scissors to cut up your PR card. Source: IRCC — What to bring to your citizenship ceremony
After you pass
You need at least 15 of 20 correct (75%). An online test shows an unofficial score straight away, which an officer confirms within a few days or weeks; in-person and Teams tests give an official score immediately. After a pass you may be invited to an interview, and you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony. Check your status in the online tracker, since IRCC does not send email updates for results. Source: IRCC — Citizenship test results
Validity and renewal
Nothing to renew once you are a citizen: after the ceremony you no longer have to tell IRCC when you move. Your PR card is collected or destroyed at the ceremony and the citizenship certificate is not a travel document, so you need a Canadian passport to travel abroad and come back. Keep the certificate safe and do not laminate it. Source: IRCC — After the citizenship ceremony
Common mistakes
- Applying with exactly 1,095 days. IRCC recommends having more than the minimum in case of a calculation problem. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
- Counting days before permanent residence at full value. Time as a visitor, student or worker counts as half a day, capped at 365 days, and refugee-claim waiting time does not count. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
- On paper: signing on a different day from the physical presence calculation, mailing more than 90 days after signing, or paying only part of the fee. Each gets the application returned. Source: IRCC — How to apply for citizenship
- Missing IRCC messages. Check junk folders for addresses ending in @cic.gc.ca, reply within the deadline (usually 30 days) and report every address change: Canada Post does not forward parcels. Source: IRCC — After you apply for citizenship
- Taking the online test on a phone, with a VPN or with other tabs open, or leaving the camera frame. The system takes random photos and a result can be invalidated. Source: IRCC — Take the citizenship test online
- Studying only the topics you expect. The test covers the rights and responsibilities of citizens and Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols, so work through every chapter of the official guide. Source: IRCC — Apply for citizenship: who can apply
Prepare for the test
Free practice written from the official material: full practice tests, a study guide, a printable sheet and a timed mock exam.
- Citizenship Test practice tests415 original practice questions with explanations
- Citizenship test questions and answers (printable PDF)100 citizenship practice questions from Discover Canada with a separate answer key, explanations and chapter references. Print it or save it as a PDF.
- Citizenship Test study guideFree Citizenship Test study guide: 403 key points from the Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.
- Citizenship Test Mock Exam 1 – 20 QuestionsTimed practice · 45 minutes · answers explained
- Citizenship Test exam simulator20 new random questions every time, full screen, no hints
We last checked the official pages on October 17, 2026. Rules and fees can change; the official source always wins.
FAQ
How to get Canadian citizenship: common questions
How much does Canadian citizenship cost?
The adult fee is $653, which combines the processing fee and the right of citizenship fee; a minor under 18 pays $100. There is no separate fee for the test.
How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship?
IRCC does not give a fixed time on its process pages: it depends on the type of application, whether it is complete, current volumes and how fast you reply. Plan for the waiting period after you apply, the test invitation weeks or months later, and a ceremony invitation at the end.
How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test?
20 questions. You need at least 15 correct (75%) to pass, and you have up to 3 attempts within your 30-day test period.
Can I apply for Canadian citizenship online?
Yes, and IRCC recommends it. You must apply on paper only if your physical presence includes time abroad as a Crown servant or family member of one, or if a representative will complete and submit the application for you.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
If you fail all 3 attempts, you are invited to a hearing of 30 to 90 minutes with an oral test (20 questions, 15 to pass), a language check and questions about your residence. Failing the hearing means the application is refused and you must reapply and pay again.
Can I get my citizenship fee refunded?
Before processing starts, the full fee is refunded. After it starts, only the adult right of citizenship fee can be refunded; minor fees are not.
Keep practising
- Citizenship test questions and answers (printable PDF)100 citizenship practice questions from Discover Canada with a separate answer key, explanations and chapter references. Print it or save it as a PDF.
- Citizenship practice test – 100 questionsAnswer 100 citizenship practice questions in one long online test across every chapter of Discover Canada, with instant feedback and an explanation for each.
- Citizenship Test study guide
- Citizenship Test Mock Exam 1 – 20 QuestionsTimed practice · 45 minutes · answers explained
- Citizenship Test Mock Exam 2 – 20 QuestionsTimed practice · 45 minutes · answers explained
- Citizenship Test Practice Test 120 questions with explanations
- Citizenship Test Practice Test 220 questions with explanations
- Citizenship Test Practice Test 320 questions with explanations
Practice by topic
- Rights and freedomsWhere Canadian rights come from: Magna Carta, English common law and the French civil code, the four fundamental freedoms, habeas corpus, the 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms, mobility, Aboriginal and language rights, multiculturalism and the equality of women and men.
- Citizenship responsibilities and the OathThe responsibilities that come with citizenship (obeying the law, jury duty, voting, helping others, protecting heritage and environment), defending Canada, the Oath of Citizenship, and what happens at the citizenship ceremony.
- Who we are: founding peoples and diversityThe three founding peoples, First Nations, Inuit and Métis, residential schools, English and French Canada, Acadians and Quebecers, and the diversity of languages, religions and origins in Canada today.
- History: first peoples to 1791Aboriginal ways of life, the Vikings, John Cabot and Jacques Cartier, Champlain and New France, the fur trade and the Hudson's Bay Company, the Plains of Abraham, the Quebec Act, the Loyalists and the first elected assemblies.
- History: 1791 to ConfederationThe abolition of slavery, the early economy, the War of 1812, the Rebellions of 1837–38, responsible government, the Fathers of Confederation and the birth of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.
- History: the Dominion and the World WarsExpansion of the Dominion, Sir John A. Macdonald, Louis Riel and the Métis, the North West Mounted Police, the Canadian Pacific Railway, western settlement, the First World War, women's right to vote, the Depression and the Second World War.
- Modern Canada since 1945Postwar prosperity and social programs, NATO, NORAD and the United Nations, the Quiet Revolution, official languages and the Quebec referendums, the extension of the vote, refugees and multiculturalism.
- Arts, sports, science and inventionsCanadian writers, painters and filmmakers, sports heroes such as Terry Fox and Wayne Gretzky, Nobel Prize-winning scientists, and great Canadian discoveries and inventions from insulin to the Canadarm.
- How Canadians govern themselvesCanada as a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy: federal and provincial powers, the three parts of Parliament, how a bill becomes law, the Sovereign, the Governor General, Lieutenant Governors, Premiers and Commissioners.
- Federal elections and votingWhen federal elections are held, electoral districts and candidates, who may vote, the voters' list and voter information card, the secret ballot, majority and minority government, the Cabinet and opposition, voting procedures and municipal government.
- The justice systemDue process and the presumption of innocence, the rule of law, the Supreme Court and other courts, the RCMP and provincial and municipal police, questioning police conduct, lawyers and legal aid.
- Canadian symbolsThe Crown, the national flag and the Red Ensign, the maple leaf, the fleur-de-lys, the coat of arms and motto, the Parliament Buildings, national sports, the beaver, the official languages and the national and royal anthems.
- Honours and national holidaysThe Order of Canada, the Victoria Cross and its Canadian recipients, and the dates of national public holidays and other important days such as Vimy Day, Canada Day and Remembrance Day.
- Canada's economyCanada as a trading nation, free trade with the United States and Mexico, the three main types of industries (service, manufacturing, natural resources) and the Canada–U.S. trading relationship.
- Regions: geography, the capital and Atlantic CanadaCanada's size, oceans and five regions, provinces, territories and capital cities, Ottawa as the national capital, and the four Atlantic provinces.
- Regions: Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the NorthQuebec and Ontario, the Great Lakes, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, with their resources, cities and landmarks.