How Long Does It Take to Get Canadian Citizenship? The Most Accurate Answer

Obtaining Canadian citizenship is a dream for many people around the world, as it grants you privileges only available to Canadian citizens, such as holding one of the world’s most powerful passports, and allowing you to travel to 185 countries without needing a visa.

However, to become a Canadian citizen, you must go through a period of lawful permanent residency with a PR card and live in the country for a certain amount of time.

So, how long do you need to stay in Canada to get citizenship? The following article by ImmiPath will answer that question for you and help you understand more about the process of becoming a Canadian citizen. Check it out now!

1. How Long Does it Take to Get Citizenship in Canada?

The question of how long it takes to get Canadian citizenship is of great interest to many people. Generally, you can apply to take the Canadian citizenship test after living in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years.

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must have legally resided in Canada for at least 1,095 days within the 5 years immediately before applying for citizenship.

The processing time for a Canadian citizenship application can vary depending on the type of application (citizenship certificate, first-time citizenship, retention of citizenship, etc.). However, it typically takes around 26 months to process your application.

It is important to note that the waiting and processing times are only official average estimates and do not account for potential delays. In reality, the naturalization process can take longer or shorter, depending on where the applicant resides.

This is because some offices within the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) process applications much faster than others.

2. What are the Requirements for Canadian Citizenship?

Many people ask ImmiPath what the English term for Canadian citizenship is. It is “Canadian citizenship.” There are several requirements and criteria you must meet before you can apply for Canadian citizenship, which will also help answer the question of how long it takes to get citizenship after settling in Canada. These requirements include:

• Being a Permanent Resident: The most important condition you must meet to apply for Canadian citizenship is having Canadian permanent resident status.
• This requirement applies regardless of your age. Additionally, you must fulfill all the terms and conditions of your permanent resident status at the time of application.
• Being present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the 5 years immediately before applying: This requirement does not apply to minors applying with their parents or those with a Canadian parent.
• It applies to minors who do not have a Canadian parent and are not applying with their parents.
• Filing Taxes: If required, you must have filed taxes in Canada for at least three years within the five years immediately before applying.
• Meeting language proficiency criteria: Applicants aged 18-54 must demonstrate proficiency in one of Canada’s two official languages: English or French.

You need to achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 if you want to become a citizen. This means you should be able to hold a simple conversation, understand directions, use basic grammar, and express yourself.

To prove your language proficiency, you can provide language test scores from when you first immigrated (even if they have expired) or a certificate from a Canadian secondary/post-secondary educational institution in English or French.

Understanding Canadian culture and history: To demonstrate this knowledge, you may be required to take the Citizenship Test, depending on your age.

3. What Documents are Required for a Canadian Citizenship Application?

If you meet the requirements for Canadian citizenship, you can start the application process. To apply, you will need to provide certain documents and forms, as well as pay the applicable fees.

The specific documents and forms you need depend on your age and circumstances. For example, minors applying alone will require different documents than adults, and vice versa.

However, some of the documents you may be required to provide include:

• Canadian Citizenship Application Form
• Proof of Physical Presence: You can use an online calculator for this.
• Copy of the biographical pages of your passport/other travel documents
• Copy of your identity documents
• Proof of language proficiency
• Two photos that meet Canadian citizenship requirements
• Receipt showing you have paid the fees
• Residence Outside Canada Form (IMM 5476)
• Police certificates and clearance: These must come from any country where you have lived for more than 6 months in the past four years.
• Copy of name change documents (if applicable)
• Copy of documents showing changes in date of birth (if applicable)
• Request form for a change of gender (if applicable)
• Letter from a Canadian audiologist

The Canadian government allows you to download all the forms you need as well as a checklist of required documents from the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) website. You need to complete the electronic applications, print them out, and send them to the correct address.

After you submit your application and officials review it to determine that you have everything required, they will send you an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR). Along with your AOR, you will receive your Unique Client Identifier (UCI).

If you are missing any documents, they will return your application and ask you to complete the missing parts before sending it back.

A few weeks after you receive the AOR, they will invite you to take the Citizenship Test and participate in an interview.

If your Canadian citizenship application is accepted, you will need to take the Oath of Citizenship.

You will take the Oath during the citizenship ceremony, which can be held several times a year. Anyone aged 14 or older must attend this ceremony and take the Oath.

At the ceremony, you will also receive your citizenship certificate and sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form.

You are considered to have dual citizenship if more than one country accepts your citizenship application. Canada allows its citizens to obtain new citizenship from another country while retaining their original Canadian citizenship.

Other countries also permit dual citizenship. For example, if you are a U.S. citizen and acquire Canadian citizenship, you will retain your U.S. citizenship, but you will have dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Canada.

However, in some countries, you may be required to renounce your existing citizenship if you wish to acquire another one. Therefore, how long it takes to obtain Canadian citizenship can also depend on the country you were born in. It is essential to check the citizenship rules of your home country.

See more: Documents, procedures, and how to apply for citizenship in Canada.

4. What Can You Do to Shorten the Time to Obtain Canadian Citizenship?

The processing time for a Canadian citizenship application can vary depending on the type of application (citizenship certificate, first-time citizenship, retention of citizenship, etc.). However, it typically takes around 26 months to process your application. You can use the processing time check tool provided by the Canadian government.

Applying for Canadian citizenship can be complicated, but working with an experienced immigration specialist can make the process easier.

If you do not want to handle the Canadian citizenship process on your own, ImmiPath can assist you. You can also comment directly under the article “How long does it take to obtain Canadian citizenship?” and our team of consultants will help make your dream of Canadian citizenship a reality.

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