November 2, 2026
How Can I Obtain Canadian Citizenship?
Becoming a Canadian citizen is the final step for many newcomers, and for others it is something they already hold without knowing it. Canadian citizenship is governed by the federal Citizenship Act, and there is more than one way to acquire it. Which route applies to you depends on where you were born, who your parents and grandparents were, or how long you have lived in Canada as a permanent resident.
- Citizenship by Birth in Canada
The general rule is simple: a person born in Canada is a Canadian citizen. There is a narrow exception for children born in Canada to a parent who is a foreign diplomatic or consular officer, or an employee of one, and who is not a citizen or permanent resident. Outside that exception, birth on Canadian soil confers citizenship automatically, regardless of the parents’ immigration status.
- Citizenship by Descent
Until 2025, a person born abroad to a Canadian parent who was also born abroad was generally not a citizen, a rule known as the first-generation limit. The Ontario Superior Court found it unconstitutional in Bjorkquist v. Canada (Attorney General) (2023), and Bill C-3 came into force on 15 December 2025 in response.
Born or adopted before 15 December 2025. Anyone who would have been a citizen but for the first-generation limit is now a citizen, however many generations back the line runs, as long as it traces to an original Canadian citizen ancestor. No connection to Canada is required. You will still need a citizenship certificate to prove it, and to apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate, you will need official documents for each ancestral link in the chain going back to the Canadian ancestor.
Born or adopted abroad on or after 15 December 2025. If the Canadian parent was also born or adopted abroad, that parent must show a substantial connection: 1,095 cumulative days (not necessarily consecutive) in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption. A child born abroad in the first generation to a Canadian (either through birth in Canada or through citizenship grant before the child’s birth) parent remains a citizen automatically.
IRCC’s published processing time for certificates has reached about 34 months as of the time of writing.
- Citizenship by Grant (Naturalization)
Most newcomers become citizens by way of grant under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act. An adult applicant must meet all of the following:
- Permanent resident status, with no removal order or unfulfilled obligations as a permanent resident (PR).
- Physical presence: at least 1,095 days in the five years before applying. Days as a PR count in full; days before PR as a temporary resident or protected person count as half, up to 365 days of credit. At least two years as a PR is needed.
- Taxes: returns filed for at least three taxation years in the period, if required.
- Language (ages 18 to 54): CLB 4 in English or French, or proof of studies completed in English or French.
- Knowledge test (ages 18 to 54): 20 questions from Discover Canada. IRCC has been moving the test online.
- No section 22 bars, such as a removal order, probation or parole, certain recent convictions or pending indictable charges, or fraud or misrepresentation.
- Timing: As of the time of writing, estimated to take approximately 12 months to process. Canadian citizenship takes effect once you take the Oath.
Minors who are permanent residents apply under subsection 5(2) with no language, test or presence requirement.
- Other Pathways
Other routes include adoption abroad by a Canadian citizen (the same 1,095-day connection test now applies if the adopting parent was born or adopted abroad), provisions for stateless persons, discretionary grants for hardship or exceptional service, and resumption of citizenship for former citizens.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Miscounting days in or out of Canada
- Missing tax years or language results
- Assuming descent means you can travel: you need a certificate to get a passport and a certificate or passport is the only definitive proof of Canadian citizenship
- Incomplete disclosure of travel, criminal or immigration history
Do You Need a Lawyer or Licensed Consultant?
You should seek legal advice if your travel history is complicated, you have criminal or compliance concerns, or you are claiming citizenship by descent through several generations.
This article is general information only and is not intended to be legal advice. Citizenship law and processing times change often, and your circumstances may affect how the law applies to you. Book a consultation with our office today if you have questions about your eligibility.
Athena Portokalidis
Athena graduated from the Dual J.D. program at Windsor Law in 2017, earning both a Canadian and American J.D.. While in law school, Athena volunteered at the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where she assisted clients in downtown Detroit, Michigan. She gained exposure to numerous U.S. immigration matters related to naturalization, permanent residency, asylum, victims of human trafficking, and juvenile migrants. Before law school, Athena received her B.A. (Hons.) with distinction from the University of Toronto, St. George, in Political Science and Philosophy.
Prior to joining Bellissimo Law Group PC, Athena worked both as a student-at-law and associate lawyer at a private immigration law firm where she had gained experience in Canadian immigration law by working on a variety of matters including judicial reviews, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence, and citizenship.