Canadian Citizenship

 

Who can apply
To be eligible to become a Canadian citizen, you must:

• be a permanent resident
• have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
• have filed your taxes, if you need to
• pass a test on your rights, responsibilities and knowledge of Canada
• prove your language skills

There are additional or different requirements if you are:

• applying for a minor (under age 18)
• a Canadian applying for your adopted child born outside Canada
• a current or former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member applying under the fast- track process
• a past Canadian citizen who want your Canadian citizenship back (including current and former CAF members)

You likely are a Canadian citizen if you…

• 1. were born in Canada
• 2. became a citizen because of changes to the Citizenship Act
• 3. applied for and received your Canadian citizenship (became a naturalized citizen)
• 4. received Canadian citizenship as a minor when a parent or legal guardian naturalized you by applying for your citizenship
• 5. were born outside Canada and at least one of your parents was:
  a) born in Canada
  b) naturalized in Canada before your birth