CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS 2026

Citizenship Eligibility Checker

Determine if you meet the 1,095-day physical presence requirement and other key IRCC criteria.

Your Residency Profile

Permanent Resident (PR) Status

Are you a permanent resident of Canada?

30 years
1000 days
0 days

* Each day as a temporary resident (student/work permit) counts as 0.5 days, up to a maximum credit of 365 days.

0 days

Tax Filing Requirement

Have you filed your required annual income tax returns?

Eligibility Status

Not Eligible
Residency Days Saved1000 / 1095 days
PR Status RequirementPassed
Tax Return FiledPassed
Test & Language RequiredYes (Ages 18-54)

3-Year Rule: To apply for citizenship, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days out of the 5 years immediately preceding your application date.

Common Presence Calculation Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes to prevent delays in your citizenship application.

  • Including travel outside Canada as physical presence

    All vacations, business trips, or visits abroad must be subtracted from your physical residency count.

  • Ignoring personal income tax filing requirements

    You must have filed personal income taxes in Canada for at least 3 out of the 5 years before applying for citizenship.

  • Miscalculating temporary resident credits

    Days spent as a student, worker, or visitor only count as 0.5 days each, capped at a maximum total credit of 365 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need to live in Canada to get citizenship?
You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years immediately before the date you sign your application.
Does time spent in Canada as a temporary resident count?
Yes, each day you spent in Canada as an authorized temporary resident (study permit, work permit, or visitor) counts as a half-day (0.5), up to a maximum credit of 365 days.

Canada PR Fee Calculator

Calculate the total government fees needed to submit a permanent residency application.