March 21, 2023

Can I Take Canadian Citizenship Test outside Canada?

For applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 (inclusive), when they apply for Canadian citizenship, they must take the citizenship test to demonstrate that they have adequate knowledge of Canada and the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship. The only official study guide for the citizenship test is Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, which is available from IRCC at no cost. 

Due to the COVID-19, all in-person citizenship tests have been cancelled until further notice. In the interim, applicants have been invited to take citizenship tests online. If you receive the invitation to complete the online citizenship test and want to take the test from outside of Canada, this is allowed. However, you must contact IRCC at the email address listed under the Eligibility section of the invitation letter. In the subject line of the email, indicate “Outside Canada – Citizenship Test”. In the text of the email, include the following information: 

• Your name
• Your application number 
• Start and end date for your online test  

Upon receipt of the applicant’s email, IRCC will contact you with the next steps. 

After receiving the invitation, you have 21 days to complete the test between the test start date and end date listed in the invitation letter. Note that you can take the online test at any time during the 21-day period (including weekends). If you don’t pass your first test, IRCC will schedule a second test for you. The second test usually takes place 4 to 8 weeks after the first test, but it may take longer.  

This article is prepared for information only and it is not intended to be legal advice. For further advice on the topic, please consult one of our team members.