Canadian citizenship: requirements, counting days, the test and fees
How to count your 1,095 days accurately, what you need for taxes, language and the test, how much you pay, and what happens at the oath ceremony.
To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the five years before the date you sign your application, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident. You must also have filed your taxes for at least 3 of those five years and, if you are between 18 and 54, prove CLB 4 in listening and speaking and pass the citizenship test. The fee for an adult is $653.
This guide is general information, not legal advice; in complex cases, consult a lawyer or a licensed immigration consultant.
Canadian citizenship requirements in one table
| Requirement | What IRCC asks for | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | You must be a permanent resident of Canada | All applicants |
| Physical presence | 1,095 days in the 5 years before you sign the application, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident | Adults |
| Tax filing | At least 3 years within the five years before you apply | Adults |
| Language | Proof of Canadian Language Benchmarks level 4 in listening and speaking, in English or French | Ages 18–54 on the day you sign |
| Knowledge test | 20 questions; you pass with at least 15 correct answers | Ages 18–54 on the day you sign |
| Fees | $653 for an adult, $100 for a minor | Every applicant |
Your age is counted on the day you sign your application, not on the day you are invited to the test. If you are 55 when you sign, you don't need to prove your language skills or take the test.
How to count 1,095 days step by step
Your eligibility period is the five years immediately before the date you sign your application. Within it, you count every day you were physically present in Canada; the days don't have to be consecutive.
Your departure and return days count as days in Canada
According to the official calculation form, CIT 0407, only full days spent outside Canada count as absences. The day you leave and the day you come back both count as physical presence:
- You left and came back on the same day: zero days of absence — but you must still record the trip, including day trips to the United States.
- You left on 1 July and came back on 6 July: 4 days of absence.
- You left on 1 December and came back on 31 December: 29 days of absence.
Half a day for each day before permanent residence
If you lived in Canada before becoming a permanent resident as an authorized temporary resident (student, worker, visitor) or as a protected person, each of those days within the five-year period counts as half a day. The maximum credit is 365 days, which equals 730 calendar days before permanent residence.
| Example | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 600 days as a student before PR, within the five-year period | 600 × 0.5 | 300 days |
| 900 days as a worker before PR | 900 × 0.5 = 450, but the cap is 365 | 365 days |
| 800 days as a permanent resident + 300 days of pre-PR credit | 800 + 300 | 1,100 days: eligible |
Note that pre-PR credit does not replace the requirement of 730 days as a permanent resident; both conditions must be met.
Use the official calculator — don't settle for an estimate
The physical presence calculator is now built into the online citizenship application account, and you must use it if you apply online. For a paper application, you print the calculator result and include it, or fill in form CIT 0407. Our advice: don't apply when you are right on the edge. If the calculator gives you 1,096 days, a single wrong trip date could sink your application, so leave a margin of several weeks.
Check your passport stamps, plane tickets and booking emails. IRCC also offers an optional travel journal to help you track your absences; you don't have to include it with your application. If you are just starting out, begin recording every trip now, and you'll find all the stages of the journey in the immigration journey map.
The tax filing requirement: 3 years out of 5
IRCC requires you to have filed a tax return for at least 3 of the five years before your application, if you were required to file under the law. IRCC checks this with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), so it's not enough to say you filed.
Common mistakes here: your first year in Canada, when you didn't file because your income was small, or your years as a student. Filing a return even with zero income protects you here and also gives you access to other benefits. Read the guide to filing your tax return in Canada before you start your citizenship application, and make sure your Social Insurance Number (SIN) matches CRA's records.
Proving your language skills if you are 18 to 54
You need Canadian Language Benchmarks level 4 in listening and speaking only — not reading or writing. IRCC accepts three kinds of proof:
- Results from an approved test: in English, CELPIP General, CELPIP General-LS, IELTS General Training or PTE Core. In French, TEF Canada, TEF IRN, TCF, TCFQ, TEFAQ, DELF and DALF. No other tests are accepted, even similar ones.
- A certificate from a government-funded language program showing the required level.
- A secondary or post-secondary diploma completed in English or French, in Canada or abroad.
Any document not in English or French needs a certified translation; you'll find certified translators in our directory. And before you book a new test, answer the questions in IRCC's official proof-of-language tool — your diploma or language program certificate may already be enough.
The citizenship test: 20 questions, pass with 15
IRCC invites most applicants to take the online test, which you can do from anywhere, in English or French. The confirmed details:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 20 questions |
| Pass mark | At least 15 correct answers |
| Time limit | 45 minutes; the timer doesn't stop, and the test is submitted automatically when time runs out |
| Attempts | 3 attempts within 30 days of the start date in your invitation |
| Device | A computer or tablet with a camera, using Chrome or Safari only, and no VPN |
| If you fail 3 times | You are invited to a hearing with a citizenship official |
At the hearing, the official may ask you 20 questions about Canada, of which you need 15 correct; may assess your language skills with up to 9 questions, of which you need to pass 6; and may ask you about your residence. If you fail the hearing, your application is refused and you have to submit a new application and pay the fees again.
Has Discover Canada been replaced?
As of the date we checked, the official study page still names a single guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, and does not mention any replacement. Earlier government documents indicated that IRCC was working on a new guide, but its launch has not been announced on the official page. The book is available to read online or as a PDF, e-book and audio recording, and you can order a paper copy. Keep an eye on our updates page, as we'll publish the news as soon as the guide changes.
Current Canadian citizenship fees
| Applicant | Fee | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) | $653 | Processing fee + $123 Right of Citizenship fee |
| Minor (under 18) | $100 | Processing fee |
A family of two adults and two children therefore pays $1,506 in government fees, not counting language tests or translation. Add the amount to the family budget calculator at least two months before you apply.
From application to the oath ceremony
- Application: usually online, with the physical presence calculator, proof of language and payment of the fees.
- Test invitation: for applicants aged 18–54.
- Possible interview: you may be invited to an interview to verify your identity, your original documents and the passports you used in the five years before your application.
- Citizenship ceremony: in person or virtually by video; you can ask to reschedule to switch between the two formats.
Processing times change weekly, so we don't print a figure here; use the official processing times tool ↗ on the day you apply.
What to bring to the ceremony
- Your permanent resident card (PR card), even if it has expired, or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688).
- Your invitation and two pieces of ID, at least one with a photo and signature for adults.
- For a virtual ceremony: scissors, because you will cut your PR card yourself at the start.
At the ceremony you take the oath or affirmation in English or French; the oath is for those who wish to refer to their religious belief and the affirmation for those who don't, and you may bring your holy book. Your PR card is collected and cut when you check in. After the oath, you receive your paper certificate at an in-person ceremony if you chose one, or you are notified of your electronic certificate later.
When you need a professional before applying
Most simple applications are submitted by the applicants themselves. But consult a professional if you have a criminal record in Canada or abroad, long absences that are hard to document, doubts about your tax situation, or a previous refused application. Search the immigration lawyers directory or the licensed immigration consultants directory, and verify the licence before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Does the day I travel count as a day in Canada?
Yes. According to form CIT 0407, the day you leave and the day you return both count as physical presence; only full days outside Canada count as absences.
How many days do I get from my years of study or work before PR?
Half a day for each day you spent as an authorized temporary resident or protected person within the five-year period, up to a maximum of 365 days.
I'm 56. Do I need to take the citizenship test?
No. The test and proof of language are only required for applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign the application.
Is Discover Canada still the study guide?
Yes, as of 24 September 2026; the official study page names it as the only guide and does not mention a replacement.
What if I fail the online test?
You have 3 attempts within 30 days. If you fail all of them, you are invited to a hearing with a citizenship official, and failing the hearing means your application is refused.
Do I keep my PR card after I become a citizen?
No. The card is collected and cut when you check in at an in-person ceremony, and you cut it yourself at the start of a virtual ceremony.