If
you are 55 years of age or older on the day you sign your Canadian
citizenship application, you are exempt from the citizenship test and the
language requirement.¹ ² However, you must still meet the other core
eligibility requirements, including physical presence and tax filing
obligations.
What You Do NOT Need at
55+
If you are 55 or older:
- You do not need to take the citizenship
knowledge test.¹
- You do not need to provide proof of
language proficiency in English or French.²
The test and language
requirements apply only to applicants between 18 and 54 years old.¹ ²
What You STILL Must Meet
Even if you are exempt from
the test and language requirement, you must still:
- Be a permanent resident (PR) of Canada.¹
- Have been physically present in Canada for at
least 1,095 days (3 years) in the last 5 years before applying.³
- File income taxes, if required under the Income Tax Act, for at
least 3 taxation years within the 5-year eligibility period.⁴
- Not be under a citizenship prohibition (for
example, certain criminal charges or convictions, removal order,
imprisonment, etc.).⁵
IRCC
may request documents proving your physical presence in Canada, including
passports, travel records, tax filings, employment history, leases, or other
supporting documents.³
Physical Presence
Calculation
You
may count time spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident as a
temporary resident (worker, student, visitor) at 0.5 days per day, up to
a maximum credit of 365 days, toward the 1,095-day requirement.³
Using IRCC’s official physical
presence calculator before applying is strongly recommended.³
Important Reminder
Although applicants 55 and
over are exempt from the test and language requirement, applications can still
be delayed or refused if:
- The physical presence calculation is inaccurate,
- Tax filing requirements are not met, or
- Supporting documentation is insufficient.
How We Can Help
At A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation, we assist clients in Winnipeg and across
Canada with citizenship applications, physical presence calculations, and
document preparation to avoid unnecessary delays.
If you are 55 or older and
considering applying for Canadian citizenship, contact us to ensure your
application meets all legal requirements.
