Citizenship
We will assist you with your applications for
Canadian Citizenship Application
Canadian Citizenship Certificate
Canadian Citizenship Renunciation
(Giving up citizenship)
Canadian Citizenship Resumption
Canadian Citizenship Application
(Grant of Canadian Citizenship)
Eligibility Requirements
To become a Canadian citizen, most applicants must
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To become a Canadian citizen, you need to have permanent resident (PR) status, regardless of your age. This means you shouldn't be under review for immigration or fraud, have a removal order, or have unfulfilled conditions related to your PR status like medical screening. Your PR card can be expired when applying for citizenship; it doesn't need to be valid because citizenship is based on your PR status, not the PR card's expiration.
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You need to be physically present in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 1,095 days within the five years just before applying for citizenship.
For each day spent in Canada as a permanent resident, it counts as a full day. If you were in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident, each day counts as half, up to a maximum of 365 days. This means in order to get the maximum 365 day credit you need to be physically present in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person for 730 days during your eligibility period.
Time spent serving a sentence in Canada does not count toward meeting the physical presence requirement. This means that time spent in imprisonment, probation, and/or on parole cannot be counted as part of the required days for physical presence when applying for citizenship.
Is it possible to include time spent outside of Canada when calculating the physical presence requirement for citizenship?
The rules about living in Canada and being present in the country matter because they help people get used to Canada and become part of Canadian life before they decide to become citizens. However, there are some exceptions under which you can count time spent outside of Canada towards the physical presence requirement for citizenship if you:
were a permanent resident employed in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, federal public administration, or public service of a province or territory.
lived outside Canada with your Canadian spouse or common-law partner, or
lived outside Canada with your permanent resident spouse, common-law partner, or parent who was employed in the mentioned sectors, (This does not include employment as a locally engaged person).
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You must have fulfilled your personal income tax filing obligations for three taxation years, either wholly or partly within the five years before signing your citizenship application.
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For individuals aged 18 to 54 when submitting their application, it's necessary to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or French. This involves the ability to engage in short, everyday conversations, comprehend simple instructions, questions, and directions, utilize basic grammar with simple structures and tenses, and exhibit familiarity with common words and phrases.
These language skills align with level 4 (or higher) of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French. Language proficiency is evaluated by reviewing language evidence submitted with the application, assessment during interviews with citizenship officials, and potentially through a citizenship test. Per IRCC, the following could be examples of proof:
Results from third party language test we approve
Diploma, certificate or final transcript for a secondary or post-secondary school program in English or French
Results from a government-funded language training program with at least a CLB/NCLC level
If you can't meet a requirement, you can request a waiver, which, if approved, means you're exempt from that particular requirement, but it's important to note that you must first be found qualified for it. Waivers can be requested for the citizenship test, proving language skills, and the oath of citizenship.
Contact us if you believe you qualify for a waiver and need assistance with the process.
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If you're aged between 18 and 54 when submitting your application, you will be required to take the citizenship test. This test will include questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, as well as Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. You will be invited to take the test after submitting your application. If you can't meet a requirement, you can request a waiver, which, if approved, means you're exempt from writing the citizenship test , but it's important to note that you must first be found qualified for it.
Contact us if you believe you qualify for a waiver and need assistance with the process, or need help preparing for your citizenship test!
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You are required to take the oath of citizenship if you are at least 14 years old when you sign your application, and your application is approved. It serves as the final step in the process of becoming a Canadian citizen.
However, if someone has a mental disability that hinders their understanding of the oath, they may be exempt from taking it.
There are different citizenship application packages available based on various situations and specific circumstances:
Adult (age 18 or older)
Minor (under age 18) - with parent/guardian
Minor (under age 18) - alone
Adult served with the Canadian Armed Forces
Adopted by a Canadian citizen
Stateless person born to a Canadian parent
Interested to learn more? Click on the + buttons below and keep reading
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A document that allows a foreign national to travel to Canada and, after a successful examination at a port of entry, to enter Canada as a permanent resident.
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A status that permits the holder to enjoy most of the same rights guaranteed to Canadians under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
A document that indicates someone's permanent resident status.
How We Can help
Citizenship Application
If you plan to apply for Canadian citizenship, we offer assistance with:
Guidance on meeting the language requirement , especially if a language barrier is preventing you to apply, and assistance in connecting you with funded language programs, if eligible, or preparing a waiver if applicable.
Assistance with the preparation of your citizenship application; however, the package must be submitted by the applicant, as required by Canadian law.
Preparation for your citizenship test, or assistance in preparing a waiver if applicable.
Preparation for your citizenship ceremony.
Assistance with your Canadian passport application after you become a Canadian citizen.
If you are already a Canadian citizen
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need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Canadian passport, or renew an expired one, we are here to help!
Canadian Citizenship Certificate:
There are two ways someone can become a citizen without applying for it:
By birth (known as jus soli): Birthright citizenship is an automatic process in Canada; however, it is subject to some exceptions.
By descent (known as jus sanguinis): If the person was born outside Canada after February 14, 1977, and at the time of their birth, one of their parents (other than a parent who adopted them) was a citizen.
Applicants seeking citizenship by birth or descent are not required to apply for a citizenship grant; instead, they should apply for proof of citizenship by obtaining citizenship certificates.
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Other purposes of acquiring Canadian citizenship include:
Passing down Canadian citizenship to a child born outside Canada.
Providing proof of Canadian citizenship for purposes such as obtaining a passport, employment, pension, social insurance number, etc.
Confirming and ensuring your Canadian citizenship status.
Replacing a lost, destroyed, or stolen citizenship certificate.
Updating the certificate due to a legal change.
How We Can help
Canadian Citizenship Certificate
We can assist you if you intend to obtain a Canadian Certificate by:
Helping you choose the appropriate application package, preparing the forms, and compiling supporting documents for each family member.
Conducting a final review of your complete application.
Providing support throughout the processing until completion.
Canadian Citizenship Renunciation
(Giving up citizenship)
A Canadian citizen can renounce (give up) their citizenship if they:
Are a citizen of a country other than Canada or will become one if their application is accepted in that country.
Do not reside in Canada.
Are not subject to a security investigation in Canada or subject to a revocation of their Canadian citizenship
Are of legal age and at least 18 years old
Are able to fully understand what it means to renounce citizenship without any hindrance.
It is important to consider that if you renounce your Canadian citizenship, you forfeit all the rights and privileges associated with being a Canadian citizen, and you will no longer have any status in Canada. If you later decide to return to Canada permanently, you will need to apply for a permanent resident visa. If you later plan to return temporarily (for a visit, work, or study), you may need to apply for a temporary resident visa, if applicable.
How We Can help
Canadian Citizenship Renunciation
Depending on your circumstances, there are different types of applications to renounce Canadian citizenship. If you are considering renouncing your Canadian citizenship, we can assist you by:
Helping you choose the appropriate application package, preparing the forms, and compiling supporting documents for each family member.
Conducting a final review of your complete application.
Providing support throughout the processing until completion.
Canadian Citizenship Resumption
An individual may apply to resume their Canadian citizenship by providing relevant supporting documents if they:
Were previously a Canadian citizen.
Have become a permanent resident after ceasing to be a Canadian citizen with no unfulfilled conditions.
Have been physically present in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 365 days in the two years before the application.
Were not subject to an order revoking their citizenship.
Are not subject to a security declaration.
Are not subject to any prohibitions under citizenship law.
Are not subject to being asked to leave Canada because of being under a removal order.
Meet applicable Income Tax Act requirements for filing income returns.
How We Can help
Canadian Citizenship Resumption
If you are considering resuming your Canadian citizenship, we can assist you by:
Helping you choose and prepare the appropriate application package and supporting documents.
Including a tailored submission letter and submitting your application as your authorized representative.
Providing support throughout the processing until completion.
