Citizenship By Naturalization
“Earn Your Place, Embrace Canada.”
Becoming a Canadian citizen is a proud milestone — and we’re here to help you reach it with clarity and confidence. At Northfield & Associates, we guide you through the full citizenship application process, ensuring you meet all eligibility criteria and are prepared for every step.
Citizenship By Naturalization
(Requirements To Be A Canadian Citizen)
Permanent residents of Canada who wish to apply for Canadian citizenship must first meet a residency requirement.
Canadian Citizenship Application Requirements
Live in Canada
The Citizenship Act requires that a permanent resident be physically present in Canada for at least three years in the five-year period before they apply. Time spent in Canada as a legal temporary resident prior to obtaining permanent residence will be counted as half time up to a maximum of 365 days within the five-year period.
File Your Taxes
Also, the permanent resident must have filed an income tax return in Canada for at least three years within the five-year period, if required to do so under the Income Tax Act.
English or French Language Test
Permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 54 must also show that they have an adequate understanding of either the English or French language. Proof of language ability is provided through the inclusion of a language test score in the citizenship application (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF).
Take The Canadian Citizenship Test
Download & Study The Booklet
The Canadian Citizenship test is based on the information in a government booklet called Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. This booklet will be provided to each citizenship applicant in advance of the test.
The Test Format
The test will be administered in writing and has 20 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 15 correct answers. If the applicant fails the test, he or she will be given an opportunity to re-write it. If the applicant fails again, they will be given an interview with a citizenship officer who will conduct the test once more orally.
The Citizenship Ceremony
Those who have satisfied the citizenship authorities that they meet the residency requirement and have passed the language and knowledge tests will be scheduled for a citizenship ceremony where they will be granted Canadian citizenship. As part of the ceremony the applicant will be required to swear an oath of loyalty to Canada. The new citizen will then be given a card proving their citizenship status. This card can then be used to apply for a Canadian passport.