Canadian Citizenship Processing Time: 12-18 Months

Canadian citizenship applications are currently taking 12-18 months to process from submission to citizenship ceremony in 2026. This timeline includes several stages: application receipt and acknowledgment (2-4 weeks), application processing and document review (6-12 months), citizenship test invitation and completion (if applicable), interview if required, decision and ceremony invitation, and finally the oath ceremony (typically scheduled within 3-6 months after approval).

To be eligible for citizenship, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the 5 years immediately before your application, filed income taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period (if required to do so), demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French, and pass a citizenship test on Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols. Applicants aged 18-54 must take the test; those under 18 or over 54 are exempt.

Processing times vary based on individual circumstances, including complexity of travel history, language evidence clarity, tax filing verification, background checks, and whether an interview is required. Applications with gaps in documentation, unclear physical presence, or security concerns will take significantly longer. Most applicants between 18-54 will need to wait several months after application processing before receiving their citizenship test invitation.