How to Get Canadian Citizenship. What you need to know
How to Get Canadian Citizenship in 2025
Achieving Canadian citizenship is an exciting milestone in your immigration journey. If you’re a permanent resident wondering when and how you can apply, this guide will walk you through the key requirements and steps.
Eligibility Requirements for Canadian Citizenship
Unlike permanent residency, which is often based on a point system, Canadian citizenship eligibility depends on the number of days you have lived in Canada. Here’s what you need to know:
You must have been physically present in Canada for three out of the last five years (1,095 days).
These three years do not need to be consecutive but must fall within the five years before applying.
At least two years (730 days) must be with permanent residency status.
The remaining one year (365 days) can be accumulated with temporary status, such as a visitor, student, or worker. However, each day under temporary status counts as half a day toward your total.
For example, if you lived in Canada for two years as a student before becoming a permanent resident, those two years would count as one full year toward citizenship eligibility.
Citizenship for Family Members
Each adult is responsible for their own citizenship eligibility. This means that spouses or common-law partners cannot combine their days to apply together. However, children under 18 can apply with at least one parent, even if they haven’t met the residency requirement themselves.
Language Requirements
If you are between 14 and 54 years old (inclusive), you must prove your proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in speaking and listening.
You can meet this requirement by:
Taking an English or French language test (such as IELTS or TEF).
Providing a diploma from a Canadian high school, college, or university if you studied in Canada.
Submitting an expired language test used for your permanent residency application (as long as it showed a CLB 4 or higher).
Citizenship Knowledge Test
Applicants 14 to 54 years old (inclusive) must take a Citizenship Knowledge Test, covering:
Canadian history, geography, and culture.
The rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Canada’s political system and government.
The test is done after submitting your application, and the government will notify you when it’s time to take it.
The Final Step: Citizenship Ceremony
Once you pass all requirements, you will be invited to a Citizenship Ceremony, either online or in person. During this ceremony, you must swear allegiance to the British Crown—this is a mandatory step, and refusal to take the oath will result in your application being denied.
Ready to Apply?
If you consider you meet the requirements, now is the time to take action! Book a consultation with us, and we’ll help you navigate the process smoothly. Becoming a Canadian citizen is a significant achievement, and we’d love to support you on this final step of your immigration journey!
