How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship
If you would like to move to Canada permanently, you can by applying for Canadian citizenship by following 10 simple steps.
You can become a part of Canadian society – a place that celebrates multiculturalism and diversity – to reach your full potential in a country where anything is possible.
For any assistance to answer your questions about the application form and process, you can visit the Help Centre on the Canadian government’s website.
You can also review the following documents before you apply:
- Citizenship Act
Please Note: You could lose your current nationality or citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen.
How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship
Step 1: Find out if you are eligible Before you apply for Canadian citizenship, you must check if you are eligible.
To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a permanent resident of Canada
- Be physically present in Canada for a minimum of 1,095 days in the past five years before you apply
- Have filed personal income taxes for three years in the last five-year period
- Demonstrate proper knowledge of English or French (Anyone between 18 and 54 years old will get assessed after submitting the application)
- Demonstrate that you understand the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship (Anyone between 18 and 54 years old will get assessed after they apply)
- You can not have any unfulfilled conditions that are related to permanent residential status
- You can not be under a removal order
- You can not be inadmissible or prohibited on criminal/security grounds
Please Note: The five-year eligibility period refers to the five years before the date that you sign your application. Step 2: Calculate the duration you have been in Canada To calculate the duration you have been in Canada (referred to as your physical presence), you can do the following:
- Use the online calculator
- Get a copy of your results and include it in your application
If you can not use the online calculator, use the How to calculate your physical presence Canadian government form (form CIT 0407). Step 3: Prepare your documents The following documents must be submitted with your application:
- An original printout of your Online Physical Presence Calculation (form CIT 0407)
- Colour photocopies of all pages of your passport(s) (valid or expired) or travel document(s) during your five-year eligibility period
- Photocopies of two proof of personal identification documents, such as a Permanent Resident card (PR card), drivers license, health insurance card, age of majority card, senior citizen identification card, a copy of your passport/ travel document’s biographical page, or foreign identity documents
- Photocopies of your language ability in English or French (for anyone between 18 to 54-years old). This can include language test results, proof that you have reached the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), or proof of education in Canada or abroad where the study was either English or French.
- Two identical citizenship photos
- An application fee receipt of $630.00 per adult (paid online)
- Document checklist (CIT 0007)
Step 4: Complete the application form Visit the Canadian government website to complete your online application form. Please Note: When you apply for Canadian citizenship, you must make sure that you are using an updated version of the application form, which must be dated October 2020 or later. The version date of this application will be on the bottom left corner of the application form.
For example, CIT 002 (10-2020) means that the version date is October (the 10th month) of 2020 (the year).
Any application version date older than October 2017 will be returned to you. You will then be requested to resubmit your application. Step 5: Pay the application fees Application fees must be paid online. This fee is $630 for every applicant 18-years old and above. Please Note: You must get a receipt if you pay the amount of $630 online. A copy of this receipt must be submitted with your application documents. Step 6: Submit the application If you do not complete your application online on the Canadian government’s website, you can send your complete application to: Regular Mail Case Processing Centre-Sydney
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney, NS
B1P 6V6 Courier Address: Case Processing Centre-Sydney
49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia
B1P 5Z2 Step 7: Prepare for your test If you are between 18 to 54-years of age, you will receive an invitation to write your test in a couple of weeks after your application has been accepted. You can review the official Canadian citizenship study guide here. 
Step 8: Go to your interview or test You will be asked to go to your local citizenship office where the following will be reviewed:
- Original documents that you submitted with your application
- Passports and travel documents that cover your last five years eligibility period
- If applicable, proof of your English or French abilities
- The citizenship test, which will test your knowledge of Canada’s history, government, geography, rights and responsibilities of citizenship
Step 9: Wait for the results Now, all you have to do is wait while a citizenship official reviews your application and decides if your application can be approved. The official’s final decision will be received in writing. Step 10: Take the Canadian citizenship oath Once you have received the approval letter, you will be invited to a ceremony to take the oath of citizenship and finally, become a Canadian Citizen.
Start Your Application Today
Are you ready to become a Canadian citizen? You can get all of your questions answered and review your eligibility with the help of an ICCRC-registered Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
Find out how you can move to Canada permanently once and for all.
Immigration FAQ’s
Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is based on the following factors:
- Provincial Nomination;
- Offer of employment;
- Core capital factors;
- Your common-law partner or spouse;
- Skill transferability;
- Previous Canadian study experience;
- Siblings in Canada; and
- French and English Ability
Provincial Nomination (600 Points)
600 points are awarded for an enhanced Nominee certificate from a province in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Job Offers (50-600 Points)
A Canadian job offer will also earn you points; the number of points is based on the NOC level of the particular job.
Core Human Capital Factors (600 Points)
These take into account your level of education, for example:
- Certificate;
- Diploma; or
- Degree
If you intend to gain higher qualifications, your score will increase. This same point system applies to your legal partner or spouse if you applied together.
Language (150 Points)
Improving your language skills in either English or French through a recognized Canadian institution can also raise your CRS score.
Work Experience
The more experience you have, the more points you earn. This also applies to your legal partner or spouse.
You must:
- Meet all the requirements of the:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC);
- Federal Skilled Trades Class; or
- Canadian Experience Class
You must register with the Canadian Job Bank within 30 days unless:
- You have arranged employment from a Canadian employer; or
- You have received a nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program
You must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to earn Comprehensive Ranking System points, unless you:
- Have worked full time for an employer with a work permit for a least one year (or a part-time job for an equal amount of time);
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer that is for at least one year in duration; or
- Have a valid employer specific temporary work permit exempt under code R204 (a), (c) or R205
If you qualify for any of the Federal Programs, you have 30 days from when you submit your profile to complete the rest of the requirements like registering with the Job Bank. If you do not, your Express Entry profile cannot be activated.
There are three programs to apply for under Express Entry:
- Skilled Federal Worker Program (SFWP);
- Skilled Federal Trades Program (SFTP); or
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The following factors affect your eligibility:
Work Experience
You must:
- Have gained relevant work experience for a job listed in the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Note: Work experience gained in another occupation you have not applied for does not apply;
- Have gained work experience in the past 10 years;
- Have received payment for your work;
- Have a job at skill level 0, A or B;
- Have a year’s worth of work experience (minimum 1,560 hours); and
- Prove that your work experience fits the requirements of the NOC
Language Ability
You must:
- Meet the minimum language level set by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB);
- Take a language proficiency test That is approved by IRCC;
- You must meet the language requirements for either French or English; and
- Your language test results must not be more than two years old when you apply
Education
You must:
- Have completed canadian secondary education; and a tertiary certificate, diploma or degree;
- Have completed foreign credentials; or
- Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC
Proof of Funds
You must prove you can support yourself and your family financially, unless:
- You are working in Canada; or
- You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
Additional Factors to Be Considered
- Age;
- Valid job offers; and
- Adaptability
This program is aimed at people who wish to become permanent residents (PR) of Canada. This only applies to people who qualify in a skilled trade.
Minimum Requirements
You must:
- Plan to live outside of Quebec (The province has its own Quebec Skilled Worker Program);
- Meet the language requirements for English and French;
- Have two years’ work experience in a skilled trade (or equal amount of experience in a part time position;
- Have work experience within the past 5 years;
- Meet the job requirements in the National Occupational Classifications;
- Have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a minimum of one year; or
- A certificate of qualification for that skilled trade that is confirmed from the Canadian provincial or territorial government authority
Skilled Work Experience
These skilled trades are involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program as ranked by the National Occupational Classification.
| Group Number | Job Description |
|---|---|
| 72 | Industrial, construction or electrical trades |
| 73 | Equipment operation and maintenance |
| 82 | Technical and supervisors in:
|
| 92 | Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor Central control operators |
| 632 | Cooks and chefs |
| 633 | Bakers and butchers |
Education
You do not need a specific qualification for this program, but you can earn more CRS points if you have:
- Foreign qualifications;
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC;or
- A Canadian certificate, diploma or degree
Language Ability
- Pass the Canadian Language Benchmark test at minimum language level;
- The language test must be approved by IRCC; and
- Your test results must not be older than two years when you apply.
Be assessed by the province or territory
Each of the provinces or territories have different requirements for the skilled trade industry.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Requirements
You must:
- Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
- Have the required language skills needed for your job;
- Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
- Have the language proficiency needed for your job; and
- Have plans to live outside of Quebec
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be gained in the following job levels based on the National Occupational Classifications.
| Job Description | Skill Type |
|---|---|
| Technical jobs | B |
| Skilled trades | B |
| Professional jobs | A |
| Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if you:
- Have a high school diploma, tertiary diploma or degree;
- Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC; or
- Have completed foreign credentials
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in the various language tests determined by the CEC.
| Canadian Language Benchmark Score Needed | Job Level (NOC) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 0 |
| 7 | A |
| 5 | B |
The language test must be approved by IRCC and must not be older than two years when you apply.
- Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
- Have the required language skills needed for your job;
- Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
- Have language levels need for your job; and
- Have plans to live outside of Quebec
Note:work experience gained as a student or a self-employed individual does not count.
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be within three years of applying for the Canadian Experience Class. Work experience must be gained in the following job levels as based on National Occupational Classifications.
| Job description | Skill Type |
|---|---|
| Technical jobs | B |
| Skilled trades | B |
| Professional jobs | A |
| Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if:
- have a high school diploma and/or tertiary diploma or degree;
- have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; or have
- completed foreign credentials
Note: Only apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your foreign education is either equal to, or higher than the Canadian education standard.
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in:
- the Canadian Language Benchmark; and
- the language tests
| Canadian Language Benchmark score needed | Job level (NOC) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 0 |
| 7 | A |
| 5 | B |
The Language Test must be approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .These tests are based off your French and English ability to:
- Read;
- Speak;
- Listen; and
- Write
Your test results must be included if you are applying for this program through the Express Entry program. Note: these tests must not be older than two years when you apply.
Principal Applicant
When you apply for the Express Entry, and want to immigrate with your common law partner, you must choose who will be the principal applicant.
Note: a common law partner is a person who has been married to you for one year. This applies for same sex and opposite sex partners.
Choose the principal applicant by looking at who will score the highest points under the Express Entry program.
Inadmissibility
You may be inadmissible if you are:
- Considered a security risk;
- Lied about information in your application or interview;
- Have ties to organised crime;
- Can’t support yourself financially;
- Have terrible financial health;
- Committed a crime outside of Canada;
- Do not qualify under Canada’s immigration laws; and
- Have a family member that is not allowed in the country
Choosing Where To Live
Note:under the Express Entry you can apply to live in other provinces/territories in Canada, except Quebec. This province has its own set of requirements needed for you to enter.
These are the factors that are used to calculate CRS Points
- Age (max 110 points);
- Education (max 150 points);
- Language proficiency (max 160 points);
- Canadian Work Experience (max 80 points);
- Skills Transferability (max 100 points); and
- Additional Factors (max 600 points)
A legal agent is an authorized representative that must be:
- A paralegal or lawyer who has a good relationship with the provincial or territorial legal societies of Canada;
- A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who has a good relationship with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council; or
- A notary who has a good relationship with the Chambre des notaires du Québec
Note: An unauthorized agent will not be able to help you with your application.
If you want to ensure that your Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized consultant, you can check with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
The ICCRC’s website has a register of all the persons that are qualified to be Canadian Immigration Consultants. Any individual who claims to be a legal consultant will have a RCIC code. If there are no results for a person’s RCIC code, then they are not a legal Canadian Immigration Consultant.
