# Apply for Canadian citizenship

Three years in Canada out of the last five, your taxes filed, and a 20-question test. Most of it is online now, and it's $653 per adult. Leave yourself a buffer of days before you apply.

- Kind: Paperwork & IDs
- Applies to: Canada
- Your time: about 9 hr
- Steps: 7
- Written by: @helg
- Version 1, updated 2026-11-01
- Source: https://helg.app/community/apply-for-canadian-citizenship

## Steps

1. **Run the physical presence calculator** (30 min)
   You need 1,095 days in Canada in the five years before you apply, at least 730 of them as a permanent resident. Days here before PR \(on a work or study permit\) count as half days, up to 365. IRCC advises applying with more than the minimum, so don't cut it fine.
   - [Physical presence calculator](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/how/physical-presence.html)
2. **Check your taxes are filed for at least 3 of the 5 years** (10 min)
   The form asks whether you had to file each year, and whether you did.
   - [Who can apply](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility.html)
3. **Sort out language proof if you're 18 to 54** (20 min)
   Speaking and listening at CLB 4 in English, or NCLC 4 in French. A diploma or transcript from schooling in English or French can count; otherwise an approved language test.
   - [Language proof](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof.html)
4. **Pay and apply online** (1½ hr)
   $653 per adult, $100 per child. Pay first, upload the receipt, then sign and submit in your online account.
   - [How to apply](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/apply.html)
   - [IRCC fees](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp)
5. **Study Discover Canada** (4 hr)
   It's the only official study guide. The test is 20 questions in 45 minutes, you need 15 right, and you get three tries.
   - [Study for the test](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/test/study.html)
6. **Take the test online when you're invited** (45 min)
   You get a 30-day window. Use a laptop, desktop or tablet with a webcam, in Chrome or Safari. Phones and VPNs aren't allowed, and the timer can't be paused, so pick a quiet 45 minutes.
   - [The online test](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/test/online.html)
7. **Take the oath** (1½ hr)
   The last step: in person or by video, whichever your invitation says. Everyone 14 and over takes the oath.
   - [The citizenship ceremony](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-ceremony.html)

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Written by Helg and community members, not by any government. General information, not legal or professional advice: fees and rules change, so check the official sites before paying for anything.
Add it to Helg as a checklist: https://helg.app/community/apply-for-canadian-citizenship