Overview

Applicants must meet different requirements to apply for citizenship.  There are not special requirements for spouses of Canadian citizens to apply for citizenship. Spouses of Canadians must meet the same requirements as other adults. . 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to become a Canadian citizen, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Age: must be at least 18 years old or if the application is for someone under 18:
  •  the applicant must be the child’s parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian
  • the child must be a permanent resident
  • and one parent must be a Canadian citizen or apply to become a citizen at the same time.
• Permanent Resident: must have permanent resident (PR) status in Canada, have no unfulfilled conditions related to that status, and their PR status must not be in question. 
• Time Lived in Canada: must have been physically present in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 1,460 days during the six years immediately before the date of application. The applicant must also be physically present for at least 183 days during each of four calendar years that are fully or partially within the six years immediately before the date of application. These requirements do not apply to children under 18. Various exceptions apply. 
• Income Tax: must have met your personal income tax filing obligations in four taxation years that are fully or partially within the six years immediately before the date you apply.,
• Intent to Reside: To become a citizen, the applicant must indicate their intention to:
  • live in Canada,
  • work outside Canada as a Crown servant, or
  • live abroad with certain family members who are Crown servants.
• Language Skills: must show adequate knowledge of one of English and French, the official languages of Canada.
• Knowledge of Canada:  applicants 14 to 64 years of age will need to take a citizenship test to show that they have adequate knowledge of Canada and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.  They must also show, in English or French, that they understand Canada’s:
  • history
  • values
  • institutions and
  • symbols
• Prohibitions: applicants who have committed a crime in or outside Canada may not be eligible to become a Canadian citizen for a period of time. 

For further information regarding the procedures for applying for Canadian citizenship, please contact our office.