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href='/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen.html'>Apply for Canadian citizenship</a></li> </ol></div></nav> </header> </div> </div> <main property="mainContentOfPage" resource="#wb-main" typeof="WebPageElement" class="container"> <div class="mwstitle section"> <h1 property="name" id="wb-cont" dir="ltr"> Apply for citizenship: Who can apply</h1> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <div class="gc-stp-stp mrgn-tp-md mrgn-tp-lg"> <div class="row"> <ul class="toc lst-spcd col-md-12"> <li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><a class="list-group-item active">1. Who can apply</a></li> <li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><a class="list-group-item" href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/apply.html">2. How to apply</a></li> <li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><a class="list-group-item" href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/after-apply-next-steps.html">3. After you apply</a></li> <li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><a class="list-group-item" href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-test.html">Citizenship test</a></li> <li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><a class="list-group-item" href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-ceremony.html">Oath of citizenship and ceremony</a></li> <li class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><a class="list-group-item" href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/after-citizenship-ceremony.html">After the citizenship ceremony</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <h2>Eligibility</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-6"> <p>To become a Canadian citizen, you must </p> <ul id="eligibility"> <li><a href="#pr">be a permanent resident</a></li> <li><a href="#time">have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years</a></li> <li><a href="#income-taxes">have filed your taxes, if you need to</a></li> <li><a href="#language">prove your language skills</a></li> <li><a href="#knowledge">pass a citizenship test</a></li> <li><a href="#oath">take the oath of citizenship</a></li> </ul> <div class="alert alert-warning"> <p>There are <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility.html#prohibitions">situations that can prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-6"> <div class="well"> <h3 class="mrgn-tp-0">Check your eligibility</h3> <p>Answer some questions to help you find out if you鈥檙e ready to apply for citizenship.</p> <p>These questions are only for <strong>adults (age 18 and over)</strong> who want to apply for citizenship.</p> <a class="btn btn-default" href="http://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/citizenship/check-eligibility.asp">Check your eligibility</a> </div> </div> </div> <p>There are additional or different requirements if you are:</p> <ul> <li>applying for a <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/minors.html">minor (under age 18)</a></li> <li>a Canadian applying for your <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadians/adopt-child-abroad/processes/choose-process/citizenship/eligibility.html">adopted child born outside Canada</a></li> <li>a current or former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member applying under the <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/canadian-armed-forces.html">fast-track process</a></li> <li>a past Canadian citizen who <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/resume-canadian-citizenship/eligibility.html">want your Canadian citizenship back</a> (including current and former CAF members)</li> </ul> <h3>Spouses of Canadian citizens</h3> <p>You <strong>don鈥檛</strong> automatically become a citizen when you marry a Canadian. </p> <p>If you鈥檙e the spouse of a Canadian citizen, you must meet the <a href="#eligibility">same requirements listed above</a> (no exception).</p> <h3>Children and grandchildren of Canadian citizens</h3> <p>If you have a Canadian parent or grandparent, you may be a Canadian citizen.</p> <ul> <li><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/already-citizen.html">See if you may be a Canadian citizen</a></li> <li>To find out <strong>for sure</strong>, <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/proof-citizenship/about.html">apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="pr">Permanent resident status</h2> <p>Regardless of your age, if you鈥檙e applying for citizenship, you must have <strong><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/understand-pr-status.html">permanent resident (PR) status</a></strong> in Canada.</p> <p>This means you must <strong>not</strong>:</p> <ul> <li>be under review for immigration or fraud reasons</li> <li>be asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada (removal order)</li> <li>have unfulfilled conditions related to your PR status, for example: medical screening</li> </ul> <p>Before applying for citizenship, you should review the documents you received when you became a permanent resident to make sure you鈥檙e eligible.</p> <p>You don鈥檛 need a valid <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card.html">PR card</a> to apply for citizenship. You can apply with an expired PR card.</p> <h2 id="time">Time you鈥檝e lived in Canada (physical presence)</h2> </div> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="mwsgeneric_base_html mwsgeneric-base-html parbase"> <span data-incl-name="time-covid-cit-eng"></span>  </div> </div> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <p>You (and <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/minors.html">some minors, if applicable</a>) must have been physically in Canada for <strong>at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years</strong> before the date you sign your application.</p> <p>We encourage you to apply with <strong>more than 1,095 days</strong> of living in Canada in case there鈥檚 a problem with the calculation.</p> <p>In your calculation, you may be able to include some of the time you spent</p> <ul> <li><strong>in</strong> Canada as a <a href="#tr-pp" aria-controls="tr-pp" class="wb-lbx" role="button">temporary resident or protected person</a></li> <li><strong>outside</strong> Canada if you were a <a href="#centred-popup" aria-controls="centred-popup" class="wb-lbx" role="button">Crown servant</a> or a family member of a Crown servant.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="mwsgeneric_base_html_402716119 mwsgeneric-base-html parbase"> <span data-incl-name="outage-physical-presence-eng"></span>     </div> </div> </div> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="mwsgeneric_base_html mwsgeneric-base-html parbase">   </div> </div> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <p><a class="btn btn-default" href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/calculator.html">Find out how to calculate your physical presence</a></p> <section id="centred-popup" class="mfp-hide modal-dialog modal-content overlay-def"> <header class="modal-header"> <h3 class="modal-title">Crown servant</h3> </header> <div class="modal-body"> <p>Person employed in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory.</p> <p>Crown servants <strong>don鈥檛</strong> include <a href="/en/employment-social-development/services/health-safety/compensation/local.html">locally engaged employees</a> (foreign citizens hired in their own countries by the Canadian government to support Canadian offices abroad).</p> </div> </section> <section id="tr-pp" class="mfp-hide modal-dialog modal-content overlay-def"> <header class="modal-header"> <h3 class="modal-title">Using time as a temporary resident or protected person</h3> </header> <div class="modal-body"> <p>Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person within the last 5 years counts as <strong>one half day</strong> when you calculate your physical presence. You can use a <strong>maximum of 365 days</strong> as a temporary resident or protected person toward your time spent in Canada.</p> <p>A temporary resident is someone who is authorized to enter or stay in Canada as a:</p> <ul> <li>visitor</li> <li>student</li> <li>worker <strong>or</strong></li> <li>temporary resident permit holder</li> </ul> <p>A protected person is someone who:</p> <ul> <li>was found to be in need of protection or a convention refugee by the Immigration and Refugee Board <strong>or</strong></li> <li>received a positive decision on a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.</li> </ul> <p>If you made a refugee claim, or were included on a family member鈥檚 refugee claim, you won鈥檛 be credited time in Canada from the date of the refugee claim until you receive a positive decision confirming you are a protected person.</p> </div> </section> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <h2 id="income-taxes">Filing income tax</h2> <p>You may need to file taxes in Canada for at least 3 years during the 5 years right before the date you apply.</p> <p><a href="/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/newcomers-canada-immigrants.html#dhtf">Find out if you need to file your taxes</a></p> <h2 id="language">Language skills</h2> <p>If you鈥檙e <strong>between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application</strong>, you must show that you have an <strong>adequate knowledge</strong> of English or French. This means you can</p> <ul> <li>take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics</li> <li>understand simple instructions, questions and directions</li> <li>use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses</li> <li>show you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself</li> </ul> <p>These <strong>speaking and listening</strong> skills are equivalent to <strong>level 4</strong> of the</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.language.ca/resourcesexpertise/for-immigration-or-citizenship/" rel="external">Canadian Language Benchmarks</a> (CLB) for English, or</li> <li><a href="https://www.language.ca/ressourcesexpertise/pour-limmigration-ou-la-citoyennete/" rel="external"><span lang="fr">Niveaux de comp茅tence linguistique canadien</span></a> (NCLC) for French</li> </ul> <p>We measure your language skills by</p> <ul> <li>reviewing the language proof you send with your application</li> <li>noting how well you speak when talking to a citizenship official anytime during the application process</li> <li>assessing your language level during a citizenship test with a our official, if necessary</li> </ul> <p>We accept various certificates, diplomas and tests as proof of your language skills.</p> </div> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="mwsgeneric_base_html mwsgeneric-base-html parbase"> <span data-incl-name="language-accommodation-waiver-eng"></span> <details><summary>Get a language accommodation or waiver (exemption)</summary> <p>You may be in a situation where you need</p> <ul> <li>help with the language requirement (accommodation) or</li> <li>an exemption from it (waiver)</li> </ul> <h3 class="h4">Accommodation</h3> <p>If you need help with the language requirement, you can request an accommodation.  For example, you can get sign language interpretation when we assess your language skills at a language hearing. </p> <p><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/apply/accommodation.html">Learn more about accommodations</a></p> <h4>Waiver (exemption)</h4> <p>If your situation <strong>prevents</strong> you from proving your language skills, you can request a waiver (exemption) instead.</p> <ul><li>Your situation must meet the <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/waiver/who.html#valid-test-language">waiver criteria</a>.</li> <li>If we <strong>approve</strong> your waiver request, you <strong>don鈥檛</strong> need to prove your language skills.</li></ul> <p><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/waiver.html">Learn more about waivers</a></p> </details> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <p><a class="btn btn-primary mrgn-tp-lg" href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof.html">Check the language proof we accept</a></p> <h2 id="knowledge">Pass a citizenship test</h2> <p>If you鈥檙e between <strong>18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application</strong>, you must take the citizenship test. </p> <p>The test will ask questions about</p> <ul> <li>the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens</li> <li>Canada鈥檚 history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols</li> </ul> <p>We鈥檒l invite you to the test after you submit your application.</p> </div> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="mwsgeneric_base_html mwsgeneric-base-html parbase"> <span data-incl-name="test-accommodation-waiver-eng"></span> <details id="test_accommodation1"><summary id="test_accommodation">Get a test accommodation or waiver (exemption)</summary> <p>You may be in a situation where you need</p> <ul> <li>help with the test (accommodation) or</li> <li>an exemption from taking it (waiver)</li> </ul> <h3 class="h4">Accommodation</h3> <p>If you need help with the test, you can request an accommodation. For example, we can</p> <ul> <li>provide a Braille, large-print or oral version of the test</li> <li>give you extra time to complete the test</li> <li>arrange to have you take the test in person (if you can鈥檛 take test online due to poor Internet connection)</li> </ul> <p><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/apply/accommodation.html">Learn more about accommodations</a></p> <h4>Waiver (exemption)</h4> <p>If your situation<strong> prevents</strong> you from taking the test, you can request a waiver (exemption) instead.</p> <ul> <li>Your situation must meet the <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/waiver/who.html#valid-test-language">waiver criteria</a>.</li> <li>If we <strong>approve </strong>your waiver request, you <strong>don鈥檛 </strong>need to take the test.</li> </ul> <p><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/waiver.html">Learn more about the waiver</a>  </p> </details> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <p class="mrgn-tp-md"><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-test.html">Learn more about the citizenship test</a></p> <h2 id="oath">Take the oath of citizenship</h2> <p>You must take the oath of citizenship if</p> <ul> <li>you鈥檙e <strong>at least 14 years old</strong> when you sign your application and</li> <li>we approve your application</li> </ul> </div> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="mwsgeneric_base_html mwsgeneric-base-html parbase"> <span data-incl-name="oath-accommodation-waiver-eng"></span> <details><summary id="exemption">Get an oath accommodation or waiver (exemption)</summary> <p>You may be in a situation where you need</p> <ul> <li>help with the oath (accommodation) or</li> <li>an exemption from taking it (waiver)</li> </ul> <h3 class="h4">Accommodation</h3> <p>If you need help with the oath of citizenship, you can request an accommodation. For example, you can get sign language interpretation when you take the oath.</p> <p><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/apply/accommodation.html">Learn more about accommodations</a></p> <h4>Waiver (exemption)</h4> <p>We鈥檒l give a waiver <strong>only</strong> if a mental disability (like an intellectual or a developmental disability) prevents someone from understanding the oath.</p> <ul> <li>For example, they don鈥檛 understand that taking the oath makes them a Canadian citizen.</li> <li>If we <strong>approve</strong> the waiver request, the applicant <strong>doesn鈥檛 </strong>need to take the oath of citizenship.</li> </ul> <p><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/waiver.htm">Learn more about waivers</a>  </p> </details> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <p><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-ceremony.html">Learn more about taking the oath of citizenship</a></p> <h2 id="prohibitions">Prohibitions</h2> <p>If you committed a crime in or outside Canada</p> <ul> <li>you <strong>may not</strong> be eligible to become a Canadian citizen for a period of time</li> <li>time spent serving a term of imprisonment, on parole, or on probation <strong>doesn鈥檛 </strong>count as <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility.html#time">time you鈥檝e lived in Canada</a></li> </ul> <p>Find out about <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/situtations-prevent-citizenship.html">situations that may prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen</a>:</p> <ul> <li>If you鈥檙e not sure whether the situations apply to you, contact your lawyer or arresting police officer.</li> <li><strong>Wait</strong> until the situation no longer applies <strong>before</strong> you apply for citizenship.</li> <li>We鈥檒l review your application on a <strong>case-by-case basis.</strong></li> </ul> </div> <div class="mwspagination section"> <nav role="navigation" class="mrgn-bttm-lg"> <h2 class="wb-inv">Document navigation</h2> <ul class="pager">  <li class="next"><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/apply.html" rel="next">Next: How to apply</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="par parsys"><div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <span data-incl-name="helpcentre-station-citizenship-eng"></span> <div class="panel well"> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-auto pull-left"> <img alt="" src="/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/helpcentre/images/Icon.png"> </div> <div class="col-md-auto"> <h2 class="mrgn-tp-sm mrgn-lft-xl"> Top questions about Canadian citizenship</h2> </div> </div> <ul class="mrgn-lft-lg"> <li><a href="http://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=355&top=5" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker('/linktracker/english/hcstation/internal/citizenship_Top5');">What are the requirements for becoming a Canadian citizen?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1077&top=5" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker('/linktracker/english/hcstation/internal/citizenship_Top5');">I already have a citizenship application in process. How will the 2017 changes to the citizenship legislation affect my application?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=357&top=5" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker('/linktracker/english/hcstation/internal/citizenship_Top5');">Do I become a Canadian when I marry a Canadian?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=358&top=5" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker('/linktracker/english/hcstation/internal/citizenship_Top5');">How much does it cost to apply for Canadian citizenship?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=359&top=5" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker('/linktracker/english/hcstation/internal/citizenship_Top5');">I am a citizen of another country. Will I lose that citizenship if I become a Canadian?</a></li> </ul> <div class="mrgn-lft-xl"> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="http://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/results-by-topic.asp?top=5" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker('/linktracker/english/hcstation/internal/cit');">See all questions about this topic</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mwscolumns section"> <div class="row row"> <div class="col-sm-4 mrgn-tp-lg"> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="par parsys"><div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <span data-incl-name="pushmessage-204-eng"></span> <section class="panel panel-info"> <header class="panel-heading"> <h3 class="panel-title">Related links</h3> </header> <div class="panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/discover-canada.html">Discover Canada</a></li> <li><a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadians/celebrate-being-canadian.html">Celebrate being Canadian</a></li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-4 mrgn-tp-lg"> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="par parsys"><div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section">   </div> <div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section">   </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-4 mrgn-tp-lg"> <div class="reference parbase section"><div class="cq-dd-paragraph"><div class="par parsys"><div class="mwsgeneric-base-html parbase section"> <span data-incl-name="pushmessage-7-eng"></span> <section class="panel panel-info"> <header class="panel-heading"> <h3 class="panel-title">Application form</h3> </header> <div class="panel-body"> <a href="/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-canadian-citizenship-adults.html">Apply for citizenship - 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