PR cards and citizenship

Canadian Citizenship

I reconcile your travel history before you apply, so the days IRCC sees are days you can prove.

The short answer

To apply for Canadian citizenship, a permanent resident must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years before applying, have filed taxes for at least three of those years if required, and (if aged 18–54) show English or French ability at CLB 4 and pass the citizenship test.

Reviewed by Gurvinder Singh, RCIC · October 6, 2026

Citizenship application (adults and minors)

Grants of citizenship for permanent residents and their children.

1,095 days in 5 years
Taxes filed if required
Test and CLB 4 (ages 18–54)

About

Each day you spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a PR can count as half a day, up to 365 days. Recent changes to citizenship-by-descent rules may also mean some people born outside Canada to a Canadian parent are already citizens; I can check that before you apply.

How I help

Physical-presence calculation and travel-history check
Tax, language and test preparation
Applications for adults and minors

PRs with at least 1,095 days of physical presence in 5 years
Adults 18–54 meeting the CLB 4 language requirement
Parents applying for minor children

What decides these files

Where applications go wrong, and how I prevent it

Travel history that matches
IRCC can compare your declared trips with CBSA entry records and passport stamps. Gaps or mismatches lead to questionnaires and delays.

Fees and timelines change: check IRCC’s current processing times (opens in a new tab).

Questions

Citizenship: common questions

How many days do I need in Canada to apply for citizenship?

At least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in the five years immediately before you apply. Days spent in Canada as a temporary resident before you became a PR can count as half days, up to 365 days.

Who needs to take the citizenship test?

Applicants aged 18 to 54 must take the citizenship test and show English or French ability at Canadian Language Benchmark 4 or higher.

Can I apply for citizenship for my children?

Yes. Parents who are citizens or applying at the same time can apply for minor children, who don’t need to meet the physical-presence requirement in the same way.

Do I need to have filed taxes to become a citizen?

Yes, if you were required to file. You must have met your personal income tax filing obligations for at least three of the five years before you apply. I check your tax and presence years line up before the application goes in.

Will I lose my current citizenship if I become Canadian?

Canada allows dual (and multiple) citizenship, so from Canada's side you keep your existing citizenship. Whether your country of origin allows it depends on that country's own law, so confirm with its authorities before you apply.

How long does a citizenship application take?

Processing times change over time and depend on your file, so I give you IRCC's current estimate when we start rather than a fixed promise. The strongest way to avoid extra delay is a clean physical-presence calculation that matches your travel records.

Related services

All services

Official sources (1)

IRCC: Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)

General information only, not legal advice.

Talk to an RCIC about citizenship.

Book a consultation with Gurvinder Singh, RCIC, by video, phone or in person in Surrey.

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