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Canadian Citizenship

Before applying for Canadian citizenship, check the dates, documents and requirements that apply to your situation. We review your immigration and travel history, the evidence you can provide and the application route for each family member. Eligibility requires individual review.

Pathways

Eligibility for adults

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

Adults generally need permanent resident status, sufficient physical presence, required tax filings and no applicable citizenship prohibition. You may need to have filed Canadian income tax returns for at least three tax years within the five years before applying, if required under the Income Tax Act. An expired PR card does not, by itself, prevent an application. IRCC: Who can apply (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html).

1,095 days of physical presence

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

Adults generally need at least 1,095 qualifying days in the five years immediately before signing, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident. IRCC recommends applying with more than the minimum to allow for calculation errors. Use the physical presence calculator in the online application account, or follow IRCC’s calculation instructions for a paper application. IRCC: Physical presence requirements (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html) · Calculate physical presence (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/how/physical-presence.html).

Time before permanent residence

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

Eligible days physically spent in Canada as an authorized temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident count as half-days, up to a maximum credit of 365 days. Only time within the five-year eligibility period counts. Your status during that time matters; a pending refugee claim alone is not protected-person status. IRCC: Adult application instructions (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/cit0002.html).

Travel history

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

Keep a complete record of trips outside Canada, including departure and return dates, destinations, reasons for travel and day trips. IRCC’s optional travel journal helps organize this information but does not replace the required physical presence calculation. IRCC: Record your trips outside Canada (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/record-trips-outside-canada.html).

Language and citizenship test

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

Applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign generally must provide accepted evidence of English or French speaking and listening ability at CLB/NCLC level 4 or higher, and pass the citizenship test. Accommodations and waivers may be available in qualifying circumstances. IRCC: Language and knowledge requirements (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html) · Accepted language evidence (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof.html).

Applications for minors

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

A minor’s route depends on their circumstances. Under subsection 5(2), the child has a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time: permanent residence is required, but the 1,095-day physical presence and tax-filing requirements do not apply. Under subsection 5(1), the child has neither a Canadian parent nor a parent applying at the same time: physical presence and applicable tax-filing requirements generally apply. Neither route requires language proof or a citizenship test. Minors aged 14 or older generally must take the oath. IRCC: Compare the two minor application routes (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who/minor-types.html).

Family applications

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

Eligible applicants can apply online as a family or group. Each adult has an individual account and signs their own application; one adult submits the linked applications together. A parent or legal guardian can prepare a minor’s application through their account. Each person must meet the requirements for their route. IRCC: How to apply as a family or group (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/how.html).

Police certificates

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

For adult applications, a police certificate is generally required from each country outside Canada where you spent at least 183 consecutive days during the preceding four years, since turning 18. An exception applies to qualifying time in the country of origin immediately before becoming a permanent resident and landing in Canada. IRCC may request certificates during processing. Check the current document instructions for your circumstances. IRCC: Adult forms and documents (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/how/adult-forms-documents.html).

What happens after filing

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND/OR TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENT · IRCC

IRCC checks whether the application is complete before issuing an acknowledgement of receipt. An online submission confirmation is not the acknowledgement of receipt. Monitor correspondence, respond by the stated deadlines and keep your information current. Later steps may include a test, an interview or another assessment, and, if approved and required, the citizenship oath. IRCC: After you apply (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/after.html) · Test results and next steps (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/test/results.html).

Official sources

Requirements and application instructions can change. The linked IRCC sources were reviewed on November 9, 2026. Check the current citizenship eligibility requirements (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html) and application instructions (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/how.html) before applying. General information does not establish individual eligibility.

Related

How we work · Start here

Common questions

Can this page confirm that I qualify?

No. Eligibility requires an individual review of your circumstances and the current requirements. No outcome is guaranteed. IRCC decides citizenship applications.

Does every family member need 1,095 days?

No. The requirements differ between the two minor application routes. Check the route for each child rather than applying the adult rule to everyone. IRCC: Minor application comparison (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who/minor-types.html).

Will I need a new language test?

Not necessarily. IRCC accepts several forms of language evidence, including qualifying education documents and specified test results. Check the accepted evidence before booking a test. IRCC: Language proof (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof.html).

Can I travel after applying?

Travel is possible, but you must preserve permanent resident status, remain reachable and follow appointment instructions. Tell IRCC about planned absences longer than two consecutive weeks. IRCC: After applying (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/after.html).

Verify your consultant on the CICC public register (register.college-ic.ca/Public-Register-EN/RCIC_Search.aspx).

Message us on WhatsApp or email us

Your RCIC team

  • Sean G McKinsley

    RCIC · CICC R529731

    Verify on the CICC register (Sean G McKinsley) (register.college-ic.ca)
  • Kimberly J White

    RCIC · CICC R712483

    Verify on the CICC register (Kimberly J White) (register.college-ic.ca)

Sean G McKinsley, RCIC, conducts your first video consultation.

Review your citizenship application before you file.

Eligibility requires individual review. No outcome is guaranteed. IRCC decides citizenship applications.

Born abroad to a Canadian parent: proof of citizenship

Bill C-3 changes took effect on December 15, 2025. In most cases, people born outside Canada before that date to a Canadian parent became citizens automatically, including certain later generations. For births abroad on or after that date, some second-or-later-generation cases require the Canadian parent to have spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the birth. Adoption has separate direct-grant rules. The date, family chain and parent’s citizenship history matter.

Sources: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/act-changes/rules-2025.html
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-29/section-3.html

A citizenship certificate is evidence of citizenship, not a travel document. We can review the family’s supporting records and prepare a proof-of-citizenship application where appropriate. Do not assume that a Canadian parent’s passport alone resolves every case.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/proof-citizenship/about.html

How we help

Sean G McKinsley and Kimberly J White

PRACTITIONER ANALYSIS · OUR SERVICE APPROACH

We begin with your status history, travel dates and supporting records, not just a form. Our work can include:

  • Eligibility and presence-day review, including gaps or inconsistent travel dates.
  • Application preparation and a supporting-document checklist.
  • Preparation for the citizenship test and an interview, where applicable.
  • Proof-of-citizenship applications for people born abroad to a Canadian parent.
  • Review of complex histories involving time outside Canada, missing records or possible prohibitions.

We explain what needs clarification before filing. No outcome is guaranteed.

Government fees and our professional fee

Standard government fees checked November 13, 2026:

  • Adult citizenship application, age 18 or older: CAD $653, comprising CAD $530 processing and CAD $123 right-of-citizenship fee.
  • Minor citizenship application, under 18: CAD $100.
  • Proof-of-citizenship certificate application: CAD $75.

These are government fees. Check the applicable fee and any exemption before paying.

Sources: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp?s=1
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/right-citizenship-fee-increasing.html

Our fee is set out in a written service agreement (government fees not included).

Message us on WhatsApp or email us — +1 587 703 9805 · info@civs.ca · mckinsley-white.ca/start-here