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The Canadian citizenship interview and hearing: what to expect

After you pass the citizenship test, IRCC may invite you to an interview with a citizenship official, depending on your case. An interview is used to check your identity, your documents and your eligibility. A hearing is different: you are invited to one if you fail the citizenship test 3 times.

Checked against canada.ca on November 1, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on canada.ca before you act.

When IRCC asks for an interview

After you pass the test, IRCC may invite you to an interview with a citizenship official, depending on your case. Then IRCC invites you to the citizenship ceremony.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)

You won't get email updates about your test result, so check your application status in the online tracker. One of the possible statuses is "Invitation for an interview".

IRCC's Quality Assurance Program also picks applications at random for a detailed review. If yours is picked, IRCC tells you by email or mail, asks you for more information and schedules an interview with an official.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)

canada.ca says these people may be invited to an interview:Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)

  • Adults 18 or older, including seniors 55 and older.
  • Minors 14 to 17 years old who apply without a parent applying at the same time. Both the minor and the person who submitted the minor's application must be at the interview.

What happens at the interview

An interview will not necessarily end with a final decision on your application. canada.ca says IRCC may invite you to an interview to:Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)

  • Verify your identity.
  • Authenticate (check) photocopies of your documents.
  • Verify if you are eligible for Canadian citizenship.

What to bring to the interview

canada.ca says to bring:Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)

  • The original documents you sent with your application.
  • Any passport or travel documents you used in the 5 years before you applied.

The citizenship hearing

You have up to 3 chances to pass the test within your 30-day test period. If you fail the test all 3 times, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official. The hearing lasts 30 to 90 minutes. It helps IRCC check if you are eligible for citizenship.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)

Depending on the type of hearing, the officer may ask you questions out loud:

  • About your knowledge of Canada, similar to the test questions. This oral test has 20 questions, and you must pass 15 of them.
  • About your residence in Canada.
  • To assess your English or French. The officer can ask up to 9 questions, and you must pass 6 of them.

After the hearing, and being available

After the hearing, IRCC sends you a letter with the results. If you pass, you wait for your invitation to the citizenship ceremony. If you fail, your application is refused. If you still want to become a citizen, you need to apply again and pay the fees again.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)

You can leave Canada after IRCC receives your application, as long as you meet some conditions. One of them is that you are available in person in Canada for your citizenship test (if you are 18 to 54), interview and ceremony. Tell IRCC if you plan to leave Canada for more than 2 weeks in a row.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)

Your own case

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Your invitation letter is about your own case, so read it carefully. For your own situation, check with IRCC or a licensed immigration representative.

If you are preparing for the oral knowledge questions at a hearing, study Discover Canada and practise with full tests. Pass15's free practice test is at pass15.ca/practice-test. Pass15 is an independent study tool, not an IRCC product.

Common questions

Does everyone have a citizenship interview?
No. canada.ca says IRCC may invite you to an interview after you pass the test, depending on your case. Applications can also be picked at random for review under the Quality Assurance Program.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)
What is the difference between a citizenship interview and a hearing?
IRCC may invite you to an interview depending on your case, for example after you pass the test, or if your application is picked at random for a detailed review. An interview may be used to verify your identity, your documents and your eligibility. A hearing happens if you fail the test all 3 times. At a hearing, the officer may ask you questions out loud about your knowledge of Canada, your residence, or your English or French.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)
What should I bring to my citizenship interview?
The original documents you sent with your application, and any passport or travel documents you used in the 5 years before you applied.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
Can people 55 and older be invited to an interview?
Yes. canada.ca says adults 18 or older, including seniors 55 and older, may be invited to an interview.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
How long is a citizenship hearing?
The hearing lasts 30 to 90 minutes.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
Will I get a decision at the interview?
Not necessarily. canada.ca says interviews will not necessarily result in a final decision.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)