Canadian Citizenship Requirements

Everything you need to qualify for Canadian citizenship in 2026. Check the requirements, use our eligibility calculator, and start preparing for the test.

Requirements Checklist

Permanent Resident Status

You must be a permanent resident (PR) of Canada. Temporary residents, visitors, and international students are not eligible.

Physical Presence (1,095 days)

You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the 5 years before your application date.

Income Tax Filing

File Canadian income tax returns for at least 3 of the 5 years within the period used to meet your physical presence requirement.

Language Proficiency

Demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 4 or above (ages 18–54). The citizenship test also serves as a language assessment.

Citizenship Knowledge Test

Pass a 20-question test about Canadian history, government, rights, and geography (ages 18–54). Score at least 75%.

No Prohibitions

No criminal convictions that bar citizenship, no removal orders, and you must not be under investigation for war crimes or terrorism.

FAQ

What are the basic requirements for Canadian citizenship?
You must be a permanent resident, have 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada within the past 5 years, have filed taxes for at least 3 years, pass a language test and the citizenship knowledge test (ages 18–54), and have no criminal prohibitions.
Do I need to speak English or French to become a citizen?
Yes. Applicants aged 18–54 must demonstrate adequate proficiency in English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 4 or higher. You can prove this through the citizenship test itself, or with approved language test results.
Can I become a Canadian citizen without a test?
Applicants aged 55 and older are exempt from the citizenship knowledge test. However, they still need to meet all other requirements including language proficiency.

Meet the Requirements?

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