Becoming a citizen runs in three stages: officials review your application, you sit the citizenship test, and — if you pass — you attend a citizenship ceremony where you swear or affirm the Oath of Citizenship, sign the form and are handed your Canadian Citizenship Certificate. The Oath itself, and what it means to pledge loyalty to the Sovereign, is part of what you should know.
The applicationWhat Officials Check
When an application arrives, officials do three things: confirm the applicant's status, make sure nothing prohibits them from applying, and check that every requirement is met.
Language is one of those requirements. Immigrants aged 18 to 54 must show adequate knowledge of English or French; the Government of Canada offers language classes in both at no cost. Applicants are also expected to know how voting works, plus Canada's history and geography, its symbols and democratic institutions, and citizens' rights and responsibilities.
The examAbout the Citizenship Test
The test is normally written, though it can be given as an interview. It measures two basic requirements: knowledge of Canada and of a citizen's rights and responsibilities, and adequate English or French.
Every question is drawn from the subject areas named in the Citizenship Regulations, which also set out how the knowledge-of-Canada requirement is judged.
Remember this
- Adult applicants aged 55 and over do not write the test.
- The test is usually written, sometimes an interview.
- Two things are tested: knowledge of Canada and citizenship, and English or French.
- The Citizenship Regulations define the subject areas.
After the testResults and the Ceremony
Passing the test and satisfying every other requirement brings a Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship, which tells you when and where your ceremony will be held. An applicant who fails is notified of the next steps.
Pass the test and meet all requirements; receive the Notice to Appear.
At the ceremony, take the Oath of Citizenship.
Sign the oath form.
Receive your Canadian Citizenship Certificate.
The ceremony is a celebration, and new citizens are welcome to bring family and friends.
The promiseThe Oath of Citizenship
The Oath may be sworn or affirmed. In it, the new citizen pledges to be faithful and to bear true allegiance to the Sovereign — the King or Queen of Canada — and to their heirs and successors.
The new citizen also promises to "faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution" — the Constitution being what recognizes the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis — and to fulfil their duties as a Canadian citizen.
Remember this
- Allegiance is pledged to the Sovereign, not to a prime minister or a document.
- The Oath covers the laws of Canada, including the Constitution.
- The Constitution recognizes First Nations, Inuit and Métis Aboriginal and treaty rights.
- The Oath can be sworn or affirmed.
The meaningWhy Loyalty Is Pledged to a Person
Canadians profess loyalty to a person — one who stands for all Canadians — rather than to a document like a constitution, a banner like a flag, or a geopolitical entity like a country. In a constitutional monarchy the Sovereign embodies all of these.
The principle is simple: Canada is personified by the Sovereign, and the Sovereign is personified by Canada.
ContextThe Country You Are Joining
Three labels describe Canada: constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy and federal state. Canadians are united by their commitment to the rule of law and parliamentary institutions.
For some 400 years, settlers and immigrants have added to the country's diversity and richness. Citizens enjoy many rights but also carry responsibilities: to obey Canada's laws and to respect the rights and freedoms of others.
Now put it to the test
You've read the guide. Try 16 practice questions on Applying for Citizenship — one at a time, with instant feedback on every answer.