Canada's federal immigration authority, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has released official details on the fees and processing timelines for foreign nationals applying for Canadian citizenship. The information covers both adult and minor applicants, with distinct fee structures and eligibility requirements.
Citizenship Application Fees for Adults and Minors
According to the published guidelines, adults aged 18 and above are required to pay $653 CAD (approximately N633,000) to apply for Canadian citizenship. In contrast, minors under the age of 18 attract a significantly lower fee of $100 CAD (approximately N96,900). The processing timeline begins only when a complete application is received, meaning all required documents and information must be included.
Processing Timeline and Factors Affecting Speed
Applicants can expect the citizenship process to take roughly 12 months from start to finish. The clock starts on the day a complete application is received and stops only when the applicant officially becomes a Canadian citizen. The timeline also covers the citizenship test and ceremony where applicable. Applications that are considered non-routine or complex may take longer to resolve. Processing speed is influenced by the volume of applications already in the system, the number of staff assigned to that category, and how many new applications the authority anticipates receiving.
Eligibility Requirements for Adult Applicants
To be eligible for citizenship as an adult, a person must already hold permanent resident status in Canada. They are also required to have accumulated sufficient physical presence in the country, meaning they must have actually lived in Canada for the qualifying period rather than simply holding residency on paper. Filing income taxes in Canada, where required, is another condition applicants must satisfy. Those between the ages of 18 and 54 face two additional requirements: demonstrating proficiency in either English or French, and passing the citizenship test. All adult applicants, regardless of age, must take the oath of citizenship and must not be subject to any prohibition that would bar them from obtaining citizenship.
Citizenship Test Requirements
Canada's immigration authority has outlined the citizenship test requirements that most foreign applicants aged 18 to 54 must complete. The test can be taken online from anywhere in the world, with applicants given 30 days to complete it after receiving their invitation. Applicants who do not pass on their first attempt have up to three chances to pass, with possible next steps including a re-test, interview, or hearing.
