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Application for Canadian Citizenship: Adults - Subsection 5(1) CIT 0002

Applications received at our Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Sydney, NS March 1, 2021 or later must use forms from October 2020 or later (indicated on the lower left corner of the form). Application forms that are not up-to-date will be returned as incomplete. IRCC does not consider the date of signatures or mailing to be deciding factors.

Eligibility

This form for an application under subsection 5(1) is intended primarily for permanent residents aged 18 and over who want to apply for Canadian citizenship.

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you:

  • must be 18 years of age or older on the day you sign the application
  • must be a permanent resident (landed immigrant) of Canada
  • must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the 5 years immediately before you apply
  • may need to file personal income taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period
  • must demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply)
  • must demonstrate you have knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply - this is assessed after you apply)
  • can’t have any unfulfilled conditions relating to your permanent resident status
  • can’t be under a removal order (asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada)
  • can’t be inadmissible or prohibited on criminal or security grounds

Use this tool to check if you’re eligible to apply.

If you are not sure whether you have Canadian citizenship or not, see if you may already be a citizen.

Application Package

Some applicants can now apply online to become a Canadian citizen.

We

More people will be able to apply online

In the future, more people will be able to apply online. We’ll open the online application to the following applicants next:

  • Adults (18 years of age and above) applying as a group without minors (under 18 years of age)
  • Minors (under 18 years of age)
  • Adults applying together with minors as a family
  • Applicants outside Canada who are

If you’re applying as a family or a group

You can

If you have a representative

A representative (opens in a new tab) 

  • is someone you choose to help you complete your application
  • can be paid (authorized) (opens in a new tab)  or unpaid
  • may be a family member, friend, lawyer or consultant
  • communicates and does business with us for you after you submit the application

If you apply online with the help of a representative, you must

  • create your own account to apply online with your email address
  • not share your account or password with anyone (including your representative)
  • sign, date and submit your online application

Your representative may

  • help you to answer the questions in the online application
  • communicate with us for you after you submit your application
  • provide other assistance, information and advice

If you want your representative to complete and submit your application for you, apply on paper (opens in a new tab) . We’re working so a representative can apply online for an applicant in the future.

You don’t need to use a representative

It’s your choice. Using one will not

  • draw special attention to your application
  • guarantee the approval of your application

Check if you can apply online (opens in a new tab) 

Do not apply online if you’ve already applied on paper, as we’re still processing your paper application.

Travel journal

Record your trips outside Canada. It will help you calculate your physical presence in Canada.

The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

The application package includes:

  1. Instruction Guide
  2. Application for Canadian Citizenship – Adults [CIT 0002] (PDF, 379 KB)
  3. Document Checklist [CIT 0007] (PDF, 1.1 MB)
  4. Citizenship Photo Specifications

If required:

  1. Residence Outside Canada [CIT 0177] (PDF, 1.5 MB)
  2. Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 138 KB)
  3. Request to Correct a Date of Birth for Citizenship [CIT 0464] (PDF, 1.8 MB)
  4. Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier [IRM 0002] (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Prepare a complete application

To make sure you submit all the pages of the application form with your application package, follow these steps:

  1. Click the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the form.

    Note: Validating the form before printing makes sure that you have answered all the questions. This will help you to avoid delays in processing your application.

  2. A last page with barcodes will automatically be created.
  3. Print and sign the form.

    Note: For best results print on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper using a laser printer.

  4. Place the barcode page on top of your package. If you have more than one package, place a separate barcode page on each one.

Find out more about the barcode form.

 Get help to open an application form or to fill one out in the Help Centre.

Features

How-to video

Save Time: Send a Complete Application

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