Canadian Citizenship: Find Out if You're Eligible | Free Legal Consultation
Canada has one of the most accessible citizenship policies globally, with hundreds of thousands qualifying each year. Over 85% of permanent residents successfully become Canadian citizens.
To qualify for Canadian citizenship, you must meet residency requirements, demonstrate proficiency in English and/or French, and have no serious criminal history.
This detailed page from themillenniumimmigration.com outlines the eligibility criteria for Canadian citizenship.
If you’re interested in applying, reach out for a free consultation!
Canadian Citizenship Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must:
Be a permanent resident
Meet Canada’s physical presence requirements
File your taxes (if applicable)
Pass a citizenship test (if you’re 18-54 years old)
Demonstrate language proficiency (if you’re 18-54 years old)
Permanent resident status
To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must be a permanent resident. Your PR card does not need to be valid; you can apply even with an expired card. To maintain your permanent resident status, you must not be under review for immigration or fraud issues, not be subject to a removal order, and have fulfilled all conditions related to your status, such as completing any required medical screenings.
Canada’s physical presence requirements
To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) out of the last five years, unless exceptional circumstances apply. Children under 18 must have permanent resident status but do not need to meet the three-year residency requirement. It’s recommended to apply with more than 1,095 days to account for any discrepancies in your calculation.
If you lived in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident, you can count some of that time towards your residency requirement. Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person counts as half a day, with a maximum of 365 days applicable.
File your taxes (if necessary)
If applicable, you may need to file taxes in Canada for at least three years within the five years prior to your citizenship application. Filing an income tax return might be necessary even if you lived in Canada for only part of a year if you:
Need to pay taxes for that year
Want to claim a refund
Want to receive benefit and credit payments
Pass a Canadian citizenship test
If you’re aged 18 to 54 on the date you sign your Canadian citizenship application, you’ll need to take a 30-minute citizenship test. This test includes multiple-choice and true/false questions, and you can complete it in English or French. To pass, you must score at least 15 out of 20. The questions will cover Canadian rights and responsibilities, history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols.
Prove your language skills
Individuals aged 18 to 54 must demonstrate proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level of 4 or higher. The IRCC assesses language skills through various means, including reviewing submitted evidence, evaluating communication during the application process, and potentially assessing skills in a hearing. Acceptable proof includes completion of a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French, or results from a language test taken during language training or as part of the permanent residence application.
Ineligibility
Canadian citizenship will be denied to applicants who:
Fail to meet the minimum residency days in Canada
Cannot communicate in English or French
Do not pass the citizenship test or interview
Lack the necessary proof of residency documentation
Additionally, certain legal and criminal issues can render you ineligible, including:
Having your citizenship revoked within the past five years
Being convicted of a criminal offense in the last three years
Being incarcerated, on parole, or on probation
Being subject to a removal order from Canada
Being under investigation for or convicted of a war crime or crime against humanity.
Contact THE MILLENNIUM IMMIGRATION For Canadian Citizenship Assistance
Need assistance with Canadian citizenship? THE MILLENNIUM IMMIGRATION can help assess your eligibility and guide you through your application process. With over 11 years of expertise, we specialize in helping clients become proud Canadians.