The Canadian government has published its physical presence requirement for adults seeking to apply for citizenship in 2026, specifying that applicants must have spent at least 1,095 days in the country within a five-year eligibility period. The period is calculated from the date the application is signed.
Eligibility Period and Permanent Resident Days
Within the five-year window, a minimum of 730 days must have been spent as a permanent resident. Time served in prison, on parole, or on probation does not count toward the total. Similarly, any period spent waiting for a decision on a refugee claim is excluded.
Treatment of Temporary Resident Days
Days spent as a temporary resident or protected person are counted at half the rate of permanent residency days. Each calendar day in those categories equals half a day of physical presence. The maximum credit from this category is capped at 365 days of physical presence, requiring 730 calendar days at the 0.5 rate to reach that limit.
Government Advice to Exceed Minimum
Officials urged prospective citizens not to apply with exactly 1,095 days recorded. They encouraged applicants to accumulate more than the minimum before submitting paperwork to account for potential calculation errors, which could cause processing delays.
This guidance is particularly relevant for the significant number of Nigerians who have relocated to Canada through Express Entry and family sponsorship programmes, many of whom are now approaching eligibility for citizenship.
