Who can apply
To become a Canadian citizen, most applicants must
- be a permanent resident
- have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years (1,095 days)
- have filed their taxes, if they need to
- pass a citizenship test
- prove their language skills in English or French
- take the oath of citizenship
Other requirements may apply.
Apply
You can apply online or on paper. Apply on paper only if you’re not eligible to apply online. Don’t apply both ways.
The fees are the same to apply online or on paper:
- Adult (18 or older): $630
- Minor (under 18): $100
No matter how you apply, pay your fees online and include the receipts in your application.
After you apply
If the application is missing information, documents or the fee receipt, we’ll return it to you.
If it’s complete, we’ll send you a confirmation letter and begin processing.
How we process your application
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This includes processing of the complete application, the citizenship test, interview and ceremony.
After the citizenship ceremony
Find information and services for new citizens such as
- applying for a passport
- voting in an election
- 1 year of free admission to Canada’s natural parks and cultural centres
Processing times
Processing times will vary based on:
- the type of application submitted
- if the application is complete
- how quickly we expect to process applications we’ve already received
- how easily we can verify your information
- how long you take to respond to any requests or concerns
- other factors
Learn how processing times are calculated.
