Canadian Citizenship Application
Citizenship gives you a Canadian passport, the right to vote, and freedom from residency obligations and the risk of losing status. The grant requirements have been stable for years — but the law on citizenship by descent changed substantially in December 2025, and that affects a lot of families who were told no in the past.
The physical presence rule
You need 1,095 days — three years — of physical presence in Canada within the five years immediately before you sign the application. Not four years out of six, and not three years of permanent residence. Days spent in prison, on parole or on probation do not count.
- ● Some pre-permanent-residence time counts at half value, up to a limit, if you were lawfully in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person.
- ● You must have filed taxes for at least three of the five years, if you were required to file.
- ● You must not be under a removal order or subject to certain prohibitions.
Language and the knowledge test
- ● Ages 18 to 54: proof of English or French at CLB / NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening, and the citizenship knowledge test.
- ● 55 and over: exempt from both.
- ● Under 18: exempt from both, and from the oath if under 14.
- ● Accepted proof includes an approved language test, a Canadian secondary or post-secondary credential taught in English or French, or certain government-funded language programme results.
Fees and timing
- ● Adult application: $653 — $530 processing plus the $123 right of citizenship fee, which rose on 31 March 2026.
- ● Minor under 18: $100.
- ● Proof of citizenship (citizenship certificate): $75.
- ● Processing: around 12 months for a grant; around 25 months for proof of citizenship.
Citizenship by descent — the law changed in December 2025
The first-generation limit was rewritten by Bill C-3, in force 15 December 2025, after the Ontario Superior Court found the previous rule unconstitutional. Two different rules now apply depending on when the person was born or adopted.
- ● Born or adopted abroad before 15 December 2025, in the second generation or later: you are a Canadian citizen automatically, by operation of law. You do not apply to become one — you apply for a certificate to prove it. A simplified renunciation process exists for anyone who does not want it.
- ● Born or adopted abroad on or after 15 December 2025: citizenship passes only if the Canadian parent, who was themselves born or adopted abroad, has at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada at any time before the birth or adoption.
If you were told years ago that you could not pass citizenship to a child born abroad, or that you were not Canadian because of the first-generation limit, that answer may now be wrong. The practical bottleneck is the proof-of-citizenship queue, running around 25 months, so it is worth starting sooner rather than later.
What we do
Most citizenship applications are straightforward and do not need a consultant. The ones that do usually involve a physical presence calculation that is genuinely close, extended absences that need explaining, prohibitions, an old conviction, or a citizenship-by-descent question under the new rules. Those are worth getting right the first time, because a refused application costs a year.
Why Choose Us?
Personalized Assessment
- Understanding your Canadian immigration needs and goals.
- Assessing eligibility across multiple programs.
- Recommending the best pathway for your situation.
- Answering all questions and addressing concerns.
Tailored Approach
- Custom Canadian immigration plan suited to you.
- Clear proposal outlining services and payment structure: 50% before processing, 50% before submission.
- Comprehensive checklist after initial payment.
Application Fulfillment
- Dedicated case manager assigned to your file.
- Strong application prepared within 7–10 business days.
- Review and final approval before submission.
Trusted Partnership
- Kept informed at every stage from submission to decision.
- Ongoing support and guidance until you reach your goals.
- Available for status updates at any time.
Ready to take the next step?
Book an appointment with our licensed RCIC team. We'll review your case, identify your best pathway, and outline the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to live in Canada before applying?
1,095 days — three years — of physical presence within the five years immediately before you sign the application. Some pre-permanent-residence time counts at half value up to a limit. Days in prison, on parole or on probation do not count. Get the calculation right: it is the most common reason applications are returned or refused.
Do I have to take the test and prove my language?
If you are between 18 and 54, yes to both — CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening, plus the knowledge test. If you are 55 or over you are exempt from both. Under 18, both are waived, as is the oath under 14.
What does it cost?
$653 for an adult — $530 processing plus a $123 right of citizenship fee, which increased on 31 March 2026 — and $100 for a minor. A citizenship certificate as proof of citizenship is $75.
My child was born abroad. Are they Canadian?
Quite possibly, and the answer changed on 15 December 2025. If they were born or adopted abroad before that date in the second generation or later, they are a citizen automatically by operation of law and need a certificate to prove it. If born or adopted on or after that date, citizenship passes only if the Canadian parent has 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada. If you were told no under the old rule, it is worth asking again.
How long does it take?
Around 12 months for a citizenship grant. Proof of citizenship — the certificate route used by people who are already citizens by descent — has been running around 25 months, which is worth knowing before you plan travel around it.
Still unsure how this applies to your case? Book an appointment with a licensed RCIC.
Waymark runs on the Nova System platform — built in Abbotsford, BC by practising RCICs.