How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship?

It depends on the current processing time, which may vary. Check IRCC's "Check processing times" tool on canada.ca (Citizenship, then Citizenship grant). The time starts the day IRCC receives your complete application and ends when you take the oath of citizenship. It is not a maximum or a guarantee.

How do I check my citizenship application status?

After you receive your acknowledgement of receipt (AOR), you can check your status online. The AOR has your unique client identifier (UCI) and your application number. canada.ca's "How to check your application status" page shows how to do it for a citizenship application.

What is the AOR for a citizenship application?

The acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) is a letter or email IRCC sends after it receives your application and checks that it's complete. It means IRCC has started processing your application. The confirmation email you get right after applying online is not the AOR.

Why is my citizenship application taking longer than the processing time?

canada.ca gives reasons such as an incomplete application, a complex application that needs extra review, a missed test, interview or hearing, or a criminal, security or other admissibility issue. IRCC will contact you if it needs more information. If you can't check your status online and the normal processing time has passed, you can contact IRCC.

Does the processing time include the test and the ceremony?

Yes. For a citizenship grant, the processing time ends when you take the oath of citizenship, which most applicants do at the citizenship ceremony. If you are 18 to 54, the test is one of the steps before that.

Canadian Citizenship Processing Time and Application Status

Where to find the current processing time

Go to IRCC's "Check processing times" page on canada.ca and select your application type. To become a Canadian citizen, choose Citizenship, then Citizenship grant.Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)

The tool asks if you have already applied. If you haven't, it shows how long IRCC expects it will take to process an application if it receives it today. If you have, it shows IRCC's estimate for an application submitted in the month and year you applied. It can also show the total number of people waiting for a decision.Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant (opens in a new tab)

Your application may take longer than the time the tool shows. IRCC says these times are not a maximum or a guarantee.Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)

We don't print a processing time on this page. Always check the IRCC tool for the current time.

What the processing time measures

For a citizenship grant, the processing time starts the day IRCC receives your complete application. It ends when you take the oath of citizenship. If you are under 14, it ends when your citizenship certificate is mailed to you.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant (opens in a new tab)

IRCC bases the time on how many applications it has in its inventory, how many people it has processing this type of application, and how many applications it expects to get.

If IRCC is processing applications faster than its service standard, the tool shows the service standard instead. The service standard is IRCC's commitment to process your application in a certain amount of time, under normal circumstances.

Why an application can take longer

The time may vary depending on how many applications IRCC gets or if your application is complex. Your application may be delayed or returned if it's not complete.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant (opens in a new tab)

IRCC considers a citizenship application complex (non-routine) if some parts need extra review or processing, and a complex application may take longer than the normal processing time. Reasons canada.ca gives that can make an application take longer include:Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)

IRCC needs you to send extra documents, like residence documents.Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)
You missed a test, interview or hearing.
There is a criminal, security or other admissibility issue.
You didn't tell IRCC about changes, such as a new address. canada.ca says this can make processing take longer, or IRCC may refuse or abandon (stop processing) your application.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)

How to check your citizenship application status

You can check your status online only after you receive your acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email. IRCC sends the AOR after it receives your application and checks that it's complete. It can take some time to get it.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, How to check the status of your IRCC application (opens in a new tab)

If you apply online, you automatically get a confirmation email after you submit your application. This email is not the AOR.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)

The AOR has your application number and your unique client identifier (UCI). After you get it, you can check your application status online. canada.ca's "How to check your application status" page explains how to do this for a citizenship application.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, How to check the status of your IRCC application (opens in a new tab)

Before IRCC sends the AOR, it receives your application, checks if it's complete, and starts processing it if it is. This can take a while. IRCC returns your application if it's incomplete or if you didn't pay your fees.Source: canada.ca, How to check the status of your IRCC application (opens in a new tab)

Don't contact IRCC about your status if you don't have an AOR. canada.ca says to contact IRCC if you can't check your status online and the normal processing time for your application has passed. IRCC will contact you if it needs more information or documents. Calling won't make your application go faster.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)

The stages after you apply

These are the main steps canada.ca describes after you send an application to become a citizen:Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)

Completeness check: IRCC checks that you answered all the questions, sent all the required documents and paid the fees. If your application is incomplete, IRCC returns it without processing your fee payment. If you send it again and it is complete, the processing time starts again.
AOR: when you get the AOR, it means IRCC has started processing your application, and you can now check your status.
Fingerprints (only if IRCC asks): if IRCC asks for your fingerprints, you must pay the fees to have them taken.
Citizenship test: all applicants who are 18 to 54 when they sign their application must take the test. IRCC invites you after you submit your application.
Interview (in some cases): IRCC's Quality Assurance Program randomly selects applications for a detailed review. If yours is selected, IRCC will let you know, ask you for more information and schedule an interview with an official.
Citizenship ceremony: most applicants must take the oath of citizenship at the ceremony. This is the final step before becoming a Canadian citizen.

While you wait

You can leave Canada after IRCC receives your application, as long as you keep your permanent resident status, can receive IRCC's mail and emails, can reply within the time given (usually within 30 days), and are available in person in Canada for your 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)

This page is general information, not advice about your own application. For questions about your case, contact IRCC or a licensed immigration representative.

While you wait, you can use the time to study for the test. Pass15 has a free practice test at pass15.ca/practice-test.

Common questions

How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship?: It depends on the current processing time, which may vary. Check IRCC's "Check processing times" tool on canada.ca (Citizenship, then Citizenship grant). The time starts the day IRCC receives your complete application and ends when you take the oath of citizenship. It is not a maximum or a guarantee.Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant (opens in a new tab)
How do I check my citizenship application status?: After you receive your acknowledgement of receipt (AOR), you can check your status online. The AOR has your unique client identifier (UCI) and your application number. canada.ca's "How to check your application status" page shows how to do it for a citizenship application.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, How to check the status of your IRCC application (opens in a new tab)
What is the AOR for a citizenship application?: The acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) is a letter or email IRCC sends after it receives your application and checks that it's complete. It means IRCC has started processing your application. The confirmation email you get right after applying online is not the AOR.Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)
Why is my citizenship application taking longer than the processing time?: canada.ca gives reasons such as an incomplete application, a complex application that needs extra review, a missed test, interview or hearing, or a criminal, security or other admissibility issue. IRCC will contact you if it needs more information. If you can't check your status online and the normal processing time has passed, you can contact IRCC.Source: canada.ca, Check current IRCC processing times (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)
Does the processing time include the test and the ceremony?: Yes. For a citizenship grant, the processing time ends when you take the oath of citizenship, which most applicants do at the citizenship ceremony. If you are 18 to 54, the test is one of the steps before that.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship grant (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, After you apply (opens in a new tab)