The 6 Steps: What I need to do to become a Canadian Citizen.
Step 1 - Determine that you are eligible.
There are several conditions that must be met in order to determine eligibility: age, permanent resident status, language requirement, physical presence test, and passing the Canadian citizenship test. (refer to the article Canadian Citizenship Eligibility)
Step 2 - Fill out the application.
- Get the application package (there are three different Canadian citizenship applications: for adults, for minors and for Canadian Armed Forces)-be sure to use the latest version-revised June 2015-and to fill out the application in its entirety and accurately to avoid rejection and having the application returned (Read The Application article)
- Pay the application fee—(to be paid in Canadian dollars) either online or at a financial institution in Canada. The current fees are: Right of Citizenship fee—100.00 and Citizenship Application fee—530.00
- Submit the application—the signed and dated application cannot be more than three months before being received by CIC nor can it have a future date—this will cause the application to be returned. You must be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship the day before you sign the application form or earlier. The completed application, along with all the necessary documents, can be sent to either of the addresses below or submitted online:
Regular Mail
Case Processing Centre—Sydney
Grant Adults
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6Courier
Case Processing Centre—Sydney
Grant Adults
47-49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 5Z2
Step 3 - Check processing times.
Depending on what region your application may be going to or whether your application is routine or non-routine will affect the processing time. For applications considered routine (no additional documents or fees needed and you have passed the citizenship test) the typical processing time is 24 months; for a non-routine application (more documents needed, proof of residency uncertain, failing the citizenship test and requiring a hearing before a citizenship judge) 36 months.
Step 4 - Receive your confirmation.
A notice of confirmation will be sent that the application is being processed. A second notice will be sent inviting you to a CIC office for an interview. You must bring several documents (the notice will advise you of what documents to bring), including your Permanent Resident card. Along with that notice a copy of the study guide, Discover Canada, will be sent.
Step 5 - Prepare for the citizenship test.
The test is based on the information provided in the study guide, and will test your knowledge about rights, responsibilities, history, Canada’s system of government, symbols and geography. If you are between the ages of 14-64 (at the time you applied), you will be required to take the citizenship test. If all the required forms, fees and documents and eligibility requirements were met, a notice will be given for the date and time to take the test. If you are unable to attend the test on the date provided, contact the Call Centre to reschedule; if you do not contact the Call Centre, your application can be closed. The test may be written or oral; oral tests are done through a citizenship officer and would be given if you have trouble reading and writing in English or French. When you come in for the test, bring all the original documents submitted with your application as well as any passport or travel documents used in the six years before you applied. What happens if I don’t pass the citizenship test on my first try? (Read The Citizenship Test article)
Step 6 - The Final Step: Prepare for the citizenship ceremony and take the oath of citizenship.
After passing the test and meeting all the other requirements for citizenship, the last step is to take the Oath of Citizenship. You will receive the exam results right after your test and may be given the citizenship ceremony date right then, if not, in a letter two to four weeks later—the ceremony will usually take place within six months after your test. At the ceremony, you will receive your citizenship certificate. All adults and children 14 or over must go to the ceremony and bring all original immigration documents, including your permanent resident card (or Record of Landing if before 2002). To apply for a Canadian passport, you will need to wait two business days after receiving your citizenship certificate.