Canada offers citizenship through naturalization and by birth in Canada.
To qualify for citizenship through naturalization, Canadians with 3 years of qualifying permanent resident status during the preceding 5 years may apply for Canadian citizenship.
Canadian Citizenship Requirements
- Be a permanent resident
- Been physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days during the five years right before the application is filed.
- May need to file taxes in Canada for at least 3 years during the 5 years right before the application date.
- Canada has two official languages: English and French. Applicants between 18 to 54 years of age must show that they can speak and listen at a specific level in one of these languages.
- Need to take the citizenship test
Minor Application (under 18 years of age)
Minors under 18 years of age may apply for citizenship if they are a permanent resident and have a parent who is either a Canadian citizen, or who is applying for citizenship at the same time. The completed application and processing fee is all that is required — they do not need to take the citizenship test.
You may be ineligible for Canadian citizenship if you
- Are under a removal order
- Have a criminal record or are facing changes in Canada
- Been refused Canadian citizenship as a result of misrepresentation
- Had your Canadian citizenship revoked
Citizenship Language Requirement
Applicants for citizenship between the ages of 18-54 must provide evidence of their knowledge of one of Canada’s official languages on the date their application is submitted. The minimum language abilities to be met are described in the regulations as the capacity to:
- Take part in short, every-day conversations
- Understand simple instructions
- Use basic grammar, simple structures and tenses in oral communication
- Use vocabulary that is adequate for routine oral communication
The applicant for Citizenship must have English or French speaking and listening abilities that meet the language requirements described above. Written proficiency is not necessary. Evidence of language proficiency must include one of the following:
- Results of an IRCC approved language test
- Diploma or transcripts showing secondary or post-secondary education in English or French
- Results from a government funded language course showing CLB 4 or NCLC 4 or higher
Individuals who underwent language testing in the process of applying for permanent residence can use those results as evidence of proficiency, even if they have since expired. Language tests currently approved by IRCC for citizenship application purposes are:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Canadian English Language-Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- Test d’Évaluation Française (TEF)
- Test d’Évaluation du Français Adapté au Québec (TEFAQ)
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