How to become a Canadian citizen?
Published on September 11, 2023
Updated on April 09, 2025
Reviewed by
Deborshi Choudhury, an IRS Enrolled Agent with 17 years of expat tax experience, specializes in U.S. tax preparation, tax planning, and tax advice for U.S. citizens and Green Card holders living and working in the UAE and Canada.
Table of Contents
How do I become a Canadian citizen as an American?
The first step is to check if you are eligible for Canadian citizenship. This means you need to be a resident of Canada for some time and have been filing taxes with the Canadian government during your stay.
Applying for Canadian citizenship will involve fees, taking a test, and attending a ceremony. So, it’s better to prepare diligently if you want to become a Canadian citizen.
Why do US expats become Canadian citizens?
Here are the benefits US expats can enjoy in pursuing Canadian citizenship:
- Obtaining a Canadian passport: You can enjoy traveling freely with a visa-free or easy arrival status to more than 180 countries, and leaving Canada for an extended period will not affect your residency status.
- Full legal rights and protections: You will gain protection under Canadian law, will have the right to vote and even run for office.
- Access to healthcare and other benefits: You will be provided a high standard of medical coverage, employment benefits and other social programs that are limited to residents.
- Passing citizenship: You can grant Canadian citizenship to your children that are born outside of Canada.
- Dual citizenship: US and Canada allows dual citizenship status so you can continue to reap benefits from the US while gaining full access to Canadian benefits.
What is the eligibility criteria for a Canadian citizenship?
Below are the Requirements that individuals must meet to be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship:
- Confirm your residency status: You should be a permanent resident with good standing and not under a removal order.
- Length of residency: You must have been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the last five years.
- Filing income tax: At the same time, you must have been able to file taxes in Canada for at least 3 years.
- Language skills: If you are 18-54 years old, you must be proficient with good listening skills in either English or French.
- Knowledge of Canada: For individuals in the same age group, you must possess a general understanding of Canadian history, symbols, and governance.
What happens when my PR card expires?
You can still apply for Canadian citizenship with an expired Permanent Resident card, so you can take renewing out of your to-do list.
However, it is important to uphold and maintain your PR status in order to be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
What does the application process look like?
Applying for Canadian citizenship is now easier because it can be accomplished online. Here’s a set-by-step guide:
- Apply online: Sign in to your IRCC account to complete the application form. For paper applications, there is a separate application package you can get on the IRCC website.
- Pay the fees: The amount is different for adults and minors (under 18.) It consists of a processing fee and the right of citizenship fee, which you need to pay online, even for paper applications. This March 31, 2025, the right of citizenship fee for adults increased from CAD$100 to CAD$119.75
- Submit the application: You can submit it online or mail it to the Case Processing Centre – Sydney Citizenship Grants (P.O. Box 7000 Sydney, NS B1P 6V6).
- Take the Canadian citizenship test: Adults aged 18-54 will be invited to take the Canadian citizenship test after confirmation of application.
- Attend an interview: A citizenship officer will schedule an interview with you. The officer will assess your language skills (if applicable) and verify your application details.
- Wait for the decision: If you pass the test and meet all requirements, you’ll receive a Notice to Appear at a citizenship ceremony.
- Take the oath of citizenship: You’ll recite the oath and receive the certificate of Canadian citizenship, which is legal proof of your status.
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How long will the application take?
After submitting the Canadian citizenship application form, expect to receive an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) confirming that your application has been received.
Depending on your location and case complexity, this will typically take 12 to 24 months.
What is the coverage of the Canadian citizenship test?
The test will ask questions about
- The rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens
- Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols
To help applicants prepare for the test, study material titled “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship” is provided.
What happens in the interview?
You will be joined with a citizenship officer and will be asked to verify information from your application. Then, they will ask questions regarding Canada’s history, culture, and government information.
The interview will typically take 90-100 minutes. If there was an issue regarding the interview, you might be asked for a second interview.
What happens if my application for Canadian citizenship is denied?
You can appeal the decision within 30 days of receiving the refusal letter. The appeal process involves presenting your case before the Federal Court of Canada.
It’s a rigorous process, and you’ll need to arm yourself with compelling evidence to overturn the initial decision. At this point, legal representation is highly recommended.
What responsibilities do I have as a dual citizen?
Here are the implications of holding dual citizenship in the US and Canada:
- Tax obligations: As a dual citizen, you will be subject to filing and paying taxes in both the US and Canada. Both countries tax their citizens on worldwide income, but there is a US-Canada tax treaty that helps prevent double taxation on your income.
- Traveling with the appropriate passport: When you plan to travel back and forth between both countries, it’s important to use the correct passport to help avoid issues at the border.
- Keep your status up-to-date: Such as passports, address changes for each government sector, and documents like driver’s license or health card on both countries.
It’s important to have a clear view of what each country expects of you as a citizen so you can stay compliant and avoid unnecessary legal or financial issues.
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