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
- Find out if you need to file your taxes
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.

will keep testing and improving the online application
are working to make sure that more people can apply online

If you’re applying as a family or a group

Who can apply online as a group

Adults (18 or older) can now apply online together as a family or a group.

If you want to apply with a minor (under 18), you can only apply on paper for now.

Starting a group application

Make sure you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. (opens in a new tab)
Check if you can apply online. (opens in a new tab)
- If you can apply online, you’ll be able to create an account.
After you sign in to your account, you can invite other adults to join your application.
The person you invite can choose to accept or decline your invitation.

Joining a group application

To join a group application, you must

be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship (opens in a new tab)
be eligible to apply online (opens in a new tab)
not be part of another group application
wait until you receive an email invitation to join a group application
- If you’re already applying online, you’ll also get a message in your online account if someone invited you.
accept the invitation

If you can apply online, you may create an account before or after you get your email invitation.

Switching to a different group

If you’re already in a group application and want to join a different group, you must leave your current group before joining a new one.

Your new group can invite you only after you leave your current group.

How the online group application works

Everyone in your group

will have their own individual online accounts that are linked together
can only view limited information about each other’s applications, to protect each applicant’s privacy
- For example, you can see if your co-applicant’s application is in progress or already signed.
must not share their account passwords with other members of the group
cannot access each other’s applications
must sign and date their own application

Paying the fee

Your group can

have 1 person pay and upload 1 receipt for everyone or
pay separately and upload each individual receipt

Check the instructions in the payment section of the online account for more details.

Submitting the application

After everyone signs their individual applications, 1 person in your group will submit all of the applications together.

Leaving a group application

You may leave your group application if you wish.

To leave your group, click the “Leave group” button in the “Your account” section of your online account.

After leaving your group, you may choose to

continue applying online by yourself
join a different group application (if another group invites you) or
start a new group application
- There is an option to invite co-applicants in your online account.

Removing someone from your group application

To remove someone from your group application, click the “Remove this person” button in the “Your co-applicants” section of your online account.

If you leave a group or remove someone from your group

The online account will tell you your next steps based on your progress with the application. For example:

You may have to upload the receipts again.
If you’ve already signed your application before leaving a group, you’ll have to sign it again.

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:

If required:

Prepare a complete application

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

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.
A last page with barcodes will automatically be created.
Print and sign the form.
Note: For best results print on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper using a laser printer.
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.

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