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Am I Eligible for Canadian Citizenship?

A 6-question self-assessment against the main citizenship criteria.

To become a Canadian citizen, you need to meet six main requirements: valid PR status, age 18+, 1,095 days of physical presence, tax filings, language proof, and no recent prohibitions. Answer each question below and this tool will tell you where you stand — and where to look if you're not sure.

Want a deeper walkthrough of each requirement first? Read our complete Canadian citizenship requirements guide.

Key factsAs of
Permanent resident statusYou need valid permanent resident status, with no removal order and no unfulfilled conditions on it (such as medical screening). If your status is under review, IRCC may suspend your application. A valid or expired PR card is fine.
Age 18+Adult applicants apply on their own. Minors (under 18) apply through a different process, which depends on whether a parent is a Canadian citizen or is applying at the same time.
Physical presence (1,095 days)1,095 days within the 5 years immediately before your application. Days as a PR count fully; days in Canada as a visitor, student, worker or protected person before PR count half (up to 365 credit days).
Tax filing (3 of 5 years)At least 3 of the 5 years immediately before you apply must meet the rule: a year meets it if you filed a Canadian tax return, or weren't required to file one.
Language (CLB 4+ listening and speaking)If you're 18–54 you must prove CLB 4+ in listening AND speaking in English or French. Reading and writing don't count for citizenship.
No recent prohibitionsCertain criminal convictions within 4 years of applying — or currently being on probation or parole, or under a removal order — can make you ineligible, even if you meet every other criterion.

Source: IRCC: Who can apply for citizenship

Next step: find the date you can apply with canadatest.ca's free physical presence calculator

Question 1 of 6

Permanent resident status

Are you a permanent resident of Canada with valid PR status?

You need valid permanent resident status, with no removal order and no unfulfilled conditions on it (such as medical screening). If your status is under review, IRCC may suspend your application. A valid or expired PR card is fine.

Answer each question honestly. If you're not sure, pick "not sure" — the result will point you to the right tool to find out.

This eligibility checker is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Your answers are a self-assessment against the main Canadian citizenship criteria; they do not constitute an official eligibility determination. Individual circumstances — including Crown-servant status, protected-person status, minors, and specific prohibitions under the Citizenship Act — can affect your eligibility in ways this tool doesn't capture. Requirements can change.

Official source: IRCC: Who can apply for citizenship · Last updated: 2026-10-20

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Canadian citizenship?
You can apply if you're a permanent resident of Canada who has met the physical presence, tax filing, language, and age requirements — and you're not subject to any prohibitions under the Citizenship Act. This tool checks all six criteria at once.
What are the main requirements for Canadian citizenship?
Six things: (1) valid permanent resident status, (2) at least 18 years old, (3) 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada in the last 5 years, (4) 3 of 5 years of Canadian tax returns filed (when required), (5) CLB 4+ language proof in English or French (if you're 18-54), and (6) no recent criminal convictions or prohibitions.
How accurate is this eligibility checker?
It gives you a useful first-pass signal based on the 6 major criteria. Some eligibility edge cases (Crown servants, protected persons, minors applying alone, complex absence patterns, specific prohibitions) require a deeper review. For an official determination, use the IRCC tools and consult an immigration lawyer if your case isn't straightforward.
I'm 'not sure' on a criterion — what should I do?
Click the follow-up link for that criterion in the result. Each one links to a specific tool or IRCC page: the Physical Presence Calculator for physical presence, the Language Equivalency Checker for language, the Tax Filing Checker for taxes, and IRCC guidance for PR status and prohibitions.
What if I'm a minor (under 18)?
Minors (under 18) apply through one of two processes, depending on their parents. If a parent is a Canadian citizen or is applying at the same time, the physical presence and tax filing requirements don't apply. If not, the minor needs at least 1,095 days in Canada during the 5 years before applying and may need to have filed taxes. No minor needs language proof or the citizenship test, and only minors aged 14 to 17 take the oath. This tool doesn't model the minor application path — see the IRCC minor-applicants guide linked in the result.
I'm eligible — what's next?
First, gather your documents (PR card, language test result, tax filings, travel records). Then prepare for the citizenship test — 20 questions based on the official Discover Canada guide. canadatest.ca has practice questions, flashcards, and timed mock tests straight from the same guide.