Citizenship Changes

New Criteria: Check Your Eligibility

Regardless of your age, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least:

• 1095 days during the five years right before the date you sign your application

You may be able to use some of your time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person towards your physical presence calculation. Each day spent physically in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident within the last 5 years will count as one half day, with a maximum of 365 days, towards your physical presence.

Temporary resident status includes lawful authorization to enter or remain in Canada as a:

• visitor,
• student,
• worker or,
• temporary resident permit holder

A protected person is someone who:

• was found to be in need of protection or a convention refugee by the Immigration and Refugee Board, or
• received a positive decision on a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.