Eligibility Criteria for the Canadian Citizenship Test
Learn about the eligibility criteria for the Canadian citizenship test. Understand the requirements for taking the test and what you need to do to become a Canadian citizen. Don’t miss out on your chance to become a citizen. Start learning now!
On October 11, 2017, the CIC made some changes to the Citizenship Act. The new rules have been effective on October 11, 2017. According to the CIC website, the changes to Canadian citizenship are given as follows:
Physical Presence:
The applicant must be physically present in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years with no minimum number of days per year, before applying for citizenship.
Days spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident (as a temporary resident or protected person) within 5 years of applying for citizenship, count as ½ days, up to a maximum of 1 year (365 days).
Check if you meet the Physical Presence requirements.
Language and knowledge
If the applicant is between 18 years old and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must:
- Meet language (English or French) requirements
- Take the Citizenship Test
For language, you must show that you can speak and listen at a specific level either in French or in English.
The ways your language skills in English or French are measured include:
- reviewing the proof you send with your application
- noting how well you communicate when you talk to a citizenship official anytime during the process
- assessing your language level during a hearing with a citizenship official, if necessary
To become a citizen, you need to meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher. This means you can:
- take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics
- understand simple instructions, questions and directions
- use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses
- show you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself
IRCC accepts various certificates, diplomas, and tests as proof of your language skills.
If your application is accepted, you have to write a citizenship test. IRCC will inform you of the date and place of the test. Children under 18 years of age and persons 54 and over do not have to write the citizenship test.
Income tax
The applicant has to file Canadian income taxes (if required to do so under the Income Tax Act) for 3 out of 5 years, matching the new physical presence requirement.
Check if you are eligible to apply:
Application Process
If you meet all the citizenship requirements, you can apply for the citizenship test. Things you need to do:
- Download and fill out the forms carefully in the Canadian Citizen Application Package for both you and your children/dependents.
- Include all supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Mail your application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
After you apply, visit the IRCC website for more information about processing times.
Note: You may be asked to provide fingerprints and/or court documents when you apply for citizenship. This is to make sure that you are not prohibited under the Citizenship Act.
If you are worried, call the IRCC Call Centre for more information about your situation at 1-888-242-2100.
You can learn more by visiting the CIC website.