Born in Canada
You are likely Canadian if born in Canada. A principal exception applies when a parent had specified foreign diplomatic or international-organization status.
Canadian citizenship
Understand your Canadian citizenship route before you apply.
Check whether you may already be Canadian, then review adult, minor, family, descent, adoption and resumption pathways.
Source standard: IRCC / Canada.caContent reviewed: 26 August 2026Not legal advice
Do not apply for a grant if you may already be Canadian
Recent citizenship-by-descent changes took effect on 15 December 2025. A citizenship certificate may be the correct proof route.
01
First check whether you are already a Canadian citizen
Born abroad before 15 December 2025
You are likely Canadian if a parent was a Canadian citizen when you were born, subject to the detailed rules and evidence requirements.
Born abroad on or after 15 December 2025
If the Canadian parent was also born abroad, that parent generally needs at least 1,095 days in Canada before your birth. A parent born in Canada or naturalized before your birth can generally transmit citizenship without this additional connection test.
Granted or restored citizenship
You are a citizen if Canada previously granted you citizenship, or if legislative changes automatically restored or conferred it. Apply for a certificate if you need proof.
02
Adult grant of citizenship: core requirements
Hold PR status without a removal order or unfulfilled PR conditions. An expired PR card alone does not prevent applying if PR status remains valid.
Accumulate at least 1,095 eligible days in Canada during the five years immediately before signing the application.
The calculation must include at least 730 days spent as a permanent resident.
If required under tax law, file Canadian income taxes for at least three years within the five-year eligibility period.
If aged 18–54 when signing, prove speaking and listening ability at CLB 4 in English or NCLC 4 in French.
If aged 18–54 when signing, pass the citizenship test on Canada, rights and responsibilities.
If the application is approved, most adult applicants must take the Oath of Citizenship.
You cannot be granted citizenship while a Citizenship Act prohibition applies.
03
How Canada counts physical presence
Type of timeHow it normally counts
Permanent resident in Canada
Each eligible day counts as one full day. At least 730 such days must fall inside the eligibility period.
Temporary resident before PR
Each eligible day as a visitor, student, worker or temporary-resident-permit holder counts as half a day, up to 365 days of credit.
Protected person before PR
Eligible time after the protection decision and before PR counts as half a day, within the same 365-day combined maximum.
Refugee claim waiting time
Time waiting for a refugee-claim decision does not count unless and until protected-person rules apply after approval.
Prison, parole or probation
Generally does not count and may also create a prohibition.
Qualifying Crown service abroad
Time outside Canada as a qualifying Crown servant—or eligible accompanying family member—may count as if spent in Canada.
Apply with a buffer.
IRCC physical-presence calculator and instructions ↗IRCC encourages applicants to have more than exactly 1,095 days in case travel dates or another part of the calculation changes.
04
Requirements by age when the application is signed
AgeLanguage proofCitizenship testOath
Under 14Not requiredNot requiredNot required
14–17Not requiredNot requiredNormally required
18–54CLB/NCLC 4 speaking and listeningRequiredRequired
55+Not requiredNot requiredRequired
Language standard
CLB/NCLC level 4 means basic everyday speaking and listening. IRCC accepts specified education records, government-funded program results and approved third-party tests.
Test standard
The test has 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions, lasts 45 minutes and requires at least 15 correct answers.
05
Spouses and minor applicants
Marriage creates no citizenship shortcut
Marrying a Canadian does not make you a citizen. A spouse generally meets the same adult requirements, including PR status and physical presence.
Canadian parent or parent applying together
The minor must generally be a PR but does not need the 1,095-day presence, tax, language or test requirements. Applicants aged 14–17 normally take the oath.
No Canadian parent applying
A minor applying independently generally needs PR status, 1,095 eligible days and tax compliance if required, but no language proof or citizenship test.
Who may apply for a child
A person with legal authority normally applies for the minor. IRCC has rules for minors applying alone and situations involving custody, guardianship or missing signatures.
06
Citizenship by descent, adoption and former citizens
Children born abroad after the 2025 change
For a child born on or after 15 December 2025 to a Canadian parent who was also born abroad, the parent generally must show at least 1,095 days in Canada before the child’s birth. A Canadian parent born in Canada or naturalized before the birth generally does not need that additional connection test.
Children born abroad before 15 December 2025
Legislative changes restored or conferred citizenship on many people affected by the former first-generation limit and historic “Lost Canadian” rules. The official status checker and citizenship certificate process are the safest starting points.
International adoption
Adoption by a Canadian does not automatically make the child a citizen. Families may use the direct citizenship grant route or an immigration-then-citizenship route. New substantial-connection rules can apply when the Canadian parent was also born or adopted abroad.
Resuming citizenship
A former citizen who did not lose citizenship through revocation may qualify after becoming a PR again, accumulating at least 365 days of PR presence in the two years before applying, meeting the relevant tax obligation and avoiding prohibitions. Special Canadian Armed Forces rules exist.
07
Situations that may prevent a grant
A prohibition can arise from events inside or outside Canada. Some last for a defined period; others require case-specific assessment.
Disclose the situation accurately.
IRCC: Complete prohibition guidance ↗If a prohibition might apply, wait where appropriate, obtain qualified legal advice and tell IRCC about relevant changes while an application is being processed.
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Accommodations, waivers and other important rules
Accommodation
IRCC may provide an oral, Braille or large-print test, extra time, sign-language interpretation or another reasonable arrangement without removing the requirement.
Waiver on compassionate grounds
An adult may request a waiver of the language, test or oath requirement when a qualifying situation prevents compliance. Evidence is required and approval is not automatic.
Crown servants and families
Qualifying service abroad with the Canadian Armed Forces or public administration—and some accompanying family time—can count toward physical presence.
Dual citizenship
Canada permits dual citizenship, but your current country may not. Check that country’s law before applying.
Private preliminary self-check
Find the route your answers point toward
This guided screen separates core gaps from facts that need checking. Answers stay in this browser tab and are not sent to CitizenReady.
Step 1 of 80%
Ready for the official next step?
Confirm your days and status with IRCC.
Use the official adult eligibility checker and physical-presence calculator before signing or submitting an application.