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Canadian Citizenship

Canadian Citizenship Application Guide

A current guide to adult citizenship eligibility, CIT 0002, physical presence, taxes, language and knowledge requirements, fees, documents and what happens after you apply.

Citizenship at a Glance — 2026

1,095 days
Physical Presence
during the 5-year eligibility period
730 days
Minimum PR Time
within the 5-year eligibility period
$653 CAD
Adult Application Fee
$530 processing + $123 right of citizenship
12 months
Service Standard
citizenship grant; live processing times can vary

Quick Eligibility Check

This tool checks several major adult-grant criteria. It is only a screening aid and does not determine legal eligibility. Use the official IRCC eligibility checker and Physical Presence Calculator before applying.

Adult Citizenship Eligibility Requirements

RequirementCurrent rule
Permanent residenceYou must meet the applicable permanent-resident requirements. An expired PR card does not by itself mean that PR status has ended.
Physical presenceAt least 1,095 days during the five years immediately before applying, with at least 730 of those days as a permanent resident in the eligibility period.
Income taxesYou may need to have met your Canadian income-tax filing obligations in at least 3 taxation years that are fully or partially within the five-year period.
LanguageAdults aged 18–54 generally need to demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French, equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 4 for speaking and listening.
Citizenship knowledgeAdults aged 18–54 generally must meet the citizenship knowledge requirement based on Discover Canada.
ProhibitionsCertain criminal, security, immigration and sentence-related circumstances can prevent a grant of citizenship. The exact prohibition must be checked under the current IRCC rules.

Application Steps — CIT 0002

  1. Confirm eligibility

    Use the official IRCC eligibility checker and Physical Presence Calculator. Check PR time, tax obligations, language/test requirements and possible prohibitions.

  2. Get the current application package

    For adults, use the current CIT 0002 form and applicable CIT 0007 document checklist. The current CIT 0002 was updated in February 2026.

  3. Prepare documents

    Depending on your circumstances and application method, prepare passports and travel documents for the eligibility period, two pieces of identification, two citizenship photos, the fee receipt, language proof where required and any additional requested documents.

  4. Pay the citizenship fee

    The current adult fee is $653 CAD: $530 processing plus $123 right of citizenship. The minor application fee is $100.

  5. Submit the application

    Follow IRCC instructions for the online or paper application method available to you. Make sure the form, documents, signatures, dates and payment are complete before submitting.

  6. Respond to IRCC requests

    IRCC may request fingerprints, additional documents, an interview, a citizenship test or other information depending on your case and age.

  7. Complete the citizenship test and interview when required

    Applicants aged 18–54 generally complete the citizenship knowledge requirement. IRCC can also schedule an interview when needed to assess the application.

  8. Attend the citizenship ceremony

    Once approved and invited, you must take the Oath of Citizenship at the ceremony. Your citizenship certificate is provided according to the current ceremony and certificate process.

2026 Citizenship Fees

ApplicationCurrent feeBreakdown
Adult citizenship grant$653$530 processing + $123 right of citizenship
Minor citizenship grant$100Processing fee

Biometrics/fingerprints are not included as a separate $23 charge in the citizenship application fee. If IRCC asks you to provide fingerprints for your citizenship application, you are responsible for the applicable fingerprinting cost.

Processing Time

IRCC's current service standard for a citizenship grant is 12 months. This is not a guarantee or maximum. IRCC's live processing-time tool can change, and individual applications may take longer because of completeness, complexity, verification or other factors.

Check current IRCC processing time

Fingerprints and Biometrics

Citizenship applications do not have a standard $23 biometrics fee built into the adult application fee. If IRCC asks for fingerprints, the applicant must have them taken through an accepted police, RCMP or RCMP-accredited fingerprinting process and pay the applicable fingerprinting cost.

Do not go to a Service Canada Centre for citizenship fingerprints. IRCC states that citizenship fingerprints must be taken through the appropriate police/RCMP channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

For an adult citizenship grant application, the current IRCC fee is $653 CAD: $530 for processing and $123 for the right of citizenship. A minor citizenship grant application is $100. Biometrics or fingerprinting are not part of the $653 adult citizenship fee; if IRCC asks an applicant to provide fingerprints, separate fingerprinting costs can apply.

For the standard adult citizenship grant, you generally need at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada during the five years immediately before the date you sign your application. The five-year period must include at least 730 days as a permanent resident. IRCC recommends applying with more than 1,095 days to reduce the risk of a calculation error leaving you below the minimum.

You may need to have met your Canadian income-tax filing obligations for at least 3 taxation years that are fully or partially within the five years immediately before the date you apply. This applies when you were required to file a tax return. The rule is not simply a requirement to file exactly three returns regardless of whether you had a legal filing obligation.

Applicants who are 18 to 54 years old on the date they sign the application generally must provide proof of adequate knowledge of English or French and must complete the citizenship knowledge requirement. The language requirement is equivalent to CLB/NCLC level 4 in speaking and listening. Applicants younger than 18 or 55 and older are not required to provide language evidence or take the citizenship knowledge test, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions.

IRCC has a 12-month service standard for citizenship grants, but actual processing times can vary. IRCC publishes live processing times and states that they are estimates rather than a maximum or guarantee. Complex applications, missing information, additional verification and other factors can make an application take longer.

The exact document list depends on the application method and circumstances, but adult applicants generally need the current CIT 0002 application, the applicable document checklist, copies of passports and travel documents covering the eligibility period, two pieces of personal identification, two citizenship photographs, the fee receipt and any required language or supporting documents. IRCC may request additional documents or fingerprints during processing.

Official Canadian Sources

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Key Citizenship Numbers

Physical presence1,095 days
Minimum PR days730 days
Adult fee$653
Minor fee$100
Service standard12 months

Study for the Citizenship Test

Adults aged 18–54 generally have to complete the citizenship knowledge requirement. IRCC bases the test on the official Discover Canada study guide.

Take Practice QuizOpen Official Study Guide

Age-Based Requirements

AgeLanguage / test
Under 18Standard age exemption
18–54Language proof + knowledge requirement
55+Standard age exemption

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