How long after the citizenship test is the oath ceremony?

canada.ca does not give a fixed time. After an online test, an officer reviews your result, which could take a few days or a few weeks. You are invited to the ceremony after your application is approved, and the wait depends on IRCC's processing time and your situation. The invitation is sent at least 1 week before the ceremony.

Can I bring family and friends to the ceremony?

At a virtual ceremony, guests can be in the same room as you, but they must not be disruptive or join on a separate device. At an in-person ceremony, it depends on the size of the ceremony and the room, so check your invitation to see how many guests you can bring.

What if I can't go on the date in my invitation?

You can ask to reschedule, for example if you are not available that day. Send your request within 30 days after the ceremony date in your invitation, preferably by replying to the office that sent it. If you miss your first ceremony without contacting IRCC, it is rescheduled automatically and you get a final invitation. If you also miss that one without contacting IRCC, IRCC starts the process to close your application.

Do I have to swear on a holy book?

No. You can swear or affirm the oath. If you want to swear it, you can bring a holy book of your choice. Affirming is for people who don't want to refer to a religious belief.

When can I apply for a Canadian passport?

Only after you get your citizenship certificate. Your PR card is destroyed or collected at the ceremony, and the citizenship certificate is not a travel document, so wait for your Canadian passport before you leave the country.

Canadian Citizenship Ceremony and Oath: What to Expect

What is the citizenship ceremony?

For most applicants, the citizenship ceremony is the last step before becoming a Canadian citizen. It is the occasion where you take the oath of citizenship. It is also a chance to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and to celebrate with your family and friends.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship ceremony (opens in a new tab)

The ceremony can be virtual (by video conference) or in person. Your invitation tells you which one.Source: canada.ca, Ceremony formats (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, When to go to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

Usually, every applicant aged 14 and older takes the oath. Children under 14 don't have to take it, but they are welcome to attend the ceremony.Source: canada.ca, Waivers: who qualifies (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Who has to take the oath (opens in a new tab)

From the test to the ceremony: how long does it take?

canada.ca does not give a fixed number of days or weeks. Here is what it does say about the steps in between.Source: canada.ca, When to go to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

If you take the test online, an officer reviews your result to make it official. This could take a few days or a few weeks.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)

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.

IRCC invites you to the ceremony after it approves your application. The wait time for the invitation depends on IRCC's current processing time and your situation. You may wait longer if your application is non-routine.Source: canada.ca, When to go to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

The invitation is sent at least 1 week before the ceremony date. You can follow your application in your citizenship tracker account. If the "Citizenship ceremony" section shows "In progress", IRCC is working on scheduling your ceremony.

If you gave an email address in your application, the invitation comes by email. Add email addresses ending in "@cic.gc.ca" to your safe sender list and check your junk or spam folder regularly. If IRCC can't reach you by phone or email, it sends the invitation by mail.

The invitation includes the date and time of the ceremony, the format (virtual or in person), a video conference link or a location, and the language of the ceremony: mostly English, mostly French, or bilingual.

What to bring to the ceremony

canada.ca lists these documents and items. Your invitation has the details for your own ceremony.Source: canada.ca, What to bring to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

Your ceremony invitation.
One of these: your permanent resident card (PR card), even if it's expired, or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688).
Adults: 2 pieces of ID. At least 1 must have both your photo and your signature. Examples include a passport, a health card or a driver's licence. If you use your PR card as one of them, the second ID must be issued by the Canadian federal government or a provincial or territorial government.
Minors: 2 pieces of ID, which don't need a photo and signature. A parent or guardian who applied for a minor: 1 piece of ID.
Your Record of Landing (IMM 1000), if you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002 and still have the document.
Virtual ceremony: your virtual seat number (on the first page of your invitation) and a pair of scissors to cut up your PR card at the start of the ceremony.
In-person ceremony: a signed copy of the permission release and consent form. The form is in your invitation.
Optional: a holy book of your choice if you want to use it to swear the oath, and a mobile phone or camera to take a picture.

What happens at the ceremony

Both virtual and in-person ceremonies last a few hours. Your invitation gives the arrival time and how long it lasts.Source: canada.ca, What to expect at the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

Wear business attire that's appropriate for the occasion. You can also wear traditional, religious or ceremonial clothing, or head coverings. At an in-person ceremony, stand for the oath and O Canada if you can. At a virtual ceremony, stay seated for the whole ceremony.

Registration: an official verifies your identity and asks questions to make sure you're not in a situation that prevents you from becoming a citizen.
Your PR card: at a virtual ceremony you cut it with scissors during registration. At an in-person ceremony it is collected.
The ceremony itself: speeches, taking the oath, congratulations and the national anthem, O Canada.
The oath form: you sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form. Signing it confirms that you took the oath. For a virtual ceremony, you must sign it on the day you take the oath, not the day before or after, and send it back.
Your certificate: at an in-person ceremony, if you chose a paper certificate, you get it after you take the oath. After a virtual ceremony, the paper certificate comes by mail 2 to 4 weeks after IRCC receives your signed oath form. If you chose an e-certificate, it is available in the IRCC Portal within 5 business days of IRCC receiving your signed form.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

The Oath of Citizenship

At the ceremony, you say the words of the oath and sing the national anthem. Many people take the oath at the same time. IRCC encourages you to repeat it after the presiding official in both English and French if you can, and to practise the oath and the anthem before the ceremony.Source: canada.ca, What to expect at the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

Here is the English oath, word for word as it appears in Discover Canada: "I swear (or affirm) That I will be faithful And bear true allegiance To His Majesty King Charles the Third King of Canada His Heirs and Successors And that I will faithfully observe The laws of Canada Including the Constitution Which recognizes and affirms The Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples And fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen."Discover Canada, › The Oath of Citizenship / Le serment de citoyenneté, p. 2 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)Source: canada.ca, What to expect at the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

You can swear or affirm the oath. Swearing is for people who want to refer to their religious belief, and you can bring your holy book. Affirming is for people who don't want to refer to a religious belief.Source: canada.ca, What to expect at the ceremony (opens in a new tab)

Discover Canada explains that in Canada, people profess their loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians (the Sovereign), not to a document such as a constitution, a flag, or a country.Discover Canada, › Understanding the Oath, p. 2 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Common questions

How long after the citizenship test is the oath ceremony?: canada.ca does not give a fixed time. After an online test, an officer reviews your result, which could take a few days or a few weeks. You are invited to the ceremony after your application is approved, and the wait depends on IRCC's processing time and your situation. The invitation is sent at least 1 week before the ceremony.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, When to go to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring family and friends to the ceremony?: At a virtual ceremony, guests can be in the same room as you, but they must not be disruptive or join on a separate device. At an in-person ceremony, it depends on the size of the ceremony and the room, so check your invitation to see how many guests you can bring.Source: canada.ca, When to go to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
What if I can't go on the date in my invitation?: You can ask to reschedule, for example if you are not available that day. Send your request within 30 days after the ceremony date in your invitation, preferably by replying to the office that sent it. If you miss your first ceremony without contacting IRCC, it is rescheduled automatically and you get a final invitation. If you also miss that one without contacting IRCC, IRCC starts the process to close your application.Source: canada.ca, When to go to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
Do I have to swear on a holy book?: No. You can swear or affirm the oath. If you want to swear it, you can bring a holy book of your choice. Affirming is for people who don't want to refer to a religious belief.Source: canada.ca, What to expect at the ceremony (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, What to bring to the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
When can I apply for a Canadian passport?: Only after you get your citizenship certificate. Your PR card is destroyed or collected at the ceremony, and the citizenship certificate is not a travel document, so wait for your Canadian passport before you leave the country.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)