Canadian Citizenship Application — ServiceLanka

🌐 Language:

📍 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

🇨🇦 Already in Canada

Canadian citizenship
application

Becoming a Canadian citizen is one of the most significant milestones in your immigration journey. We help you prepare every part of your citizenship application — physical presence calculation, form completion, test preparation, and document review — in Sinhala, Tamil, or English.

සිංහං · தமிழ் · English · 🇨🇦 Become Canadian

Consultation

Free

These are government fees paid directly to IRCC — our service fee is separate. We give you a full cost breakdown upfront.

Application fee
CAD $630 (govt. fee only)
Right of Citizenship fee
CAD $100 (govt. fee only)
Processing time
12 – 24 months typical
Minimum days required
1,095 days in 5 years
Test required
Yes (18–54 years)

Application fee (govt.)

CAD $630

Right of Citizenship (govt.)

CAD $100

Processing time

12 – 24 months

Days required

1,095 in 5 years

Test required

Yes (ages 18–54)

Overview

Eligibility & calculator

Documents needed

How it works

FAQ

✅ Who can apply for Canadian citizenship

✓

You are a permanent resident of Canada — you must have PR status before applying for citizenship

✓

You have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the last 5 years before applying

✓

You have filed your Canadian taxes for at least 3 of the last 5 years (if required to do so)

✓

You are 18 years of age or older (minors can be included in a parent’s application)

✓

You are proficient in English or French (for applicants aged 18–54)

You must not have been charged or convicted of certain criminal offences, and must not be under a removal order

Days spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a PR count as half a day (up to 365 days total credit)

🎁 What we do for you

📅

Physical presence calculation

We calculate your exact days carefully — including travel absences, pre-PR days, and the half-day credit rule. This is the most common source of errors.

📄

Full application preparation

We complete all IRCC citizenship forms accurately, including the physical presence history (travel dates, destinations, duration) covering the full 5-year period.

✅

Document review

Every document reviewed before submission — passport stamps, tax notices, PR card, and all supporting evidence. Nothing missing, nothing inconsistent.

🏫

Citizenship test preparation

We guide you through studying for the citizenship test — Discover Canada materials, practice questions, and what to expect on the day.

🔔

Updates throughout

We track your application and keep you informed. If IRCC requests documents or schedules a hearing, we respond and prepare you immediately.

💬

Sinhala, Tamil & English support

The entire process explained in your language — from physical presence to the ceremony. No jargon, no confusion.

🏆 What citizenship gives you

🛂

Canadian passport

One of the world’s most powerful travel documents — visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 180+ countries including the UK, EU, USA, Japan, and Australia.

🏠

Permanent right to stay

Citizens cannot be deported from Canada. You no longer need to maintain a PR card or worry about residence obligations.

👪

Sponsor family more easily

As a citizen, you can sponsor parents and grandparents under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and sponsor other relatives more easily.

🌎

Pass citizenship to children

Your children born abroad after you become a citizen may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent — creating an inheritance for future generations.

✅ The 5 eligibility requirements in detail

📅

Physical presence — 1,095 days

You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the 5 years immediately before applying. Every day you leave Canada counts as an absence. Days spent in Canada as a temporary resident before becoming a PR count as half a day (maximum 365 days credit).

Most critical requirement

🇬🇧

Permanent resident status

You must hold valid PR status at the time of application and at the time citizenship is granted. If your PR card has expired, you can still apply for citizenship — but you must still have PR status (not just an expired card). We verify this during consultation.

Must be active PR

📄

Income tax filing

You must have filed Canadian income taxes for at least 3 of the last 5 years (if required to file). Even if you had no income, you may have been required to file. We review your tax history and advise on any gaps before submission.

3 of last 5 tax years

🌍

Language proficiency

Applicants aged 18–54 must demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French. You can show this through your application, education history, employment in Canada, or a language test result. You are not required to take a formal test if you can demonstrate proficiency through other means.

Ages 18–54 only

🏫

Knowledge of Canada — citizenship test

Applicants aged 18–54 must pass the citizenship knowledge test. The test covers Canadian history, values, institutions, and rights and responsibilities. It consists of 20 multiple-choice and true/false questions — you need 15 correct to pass. The study guide is Discover Canada, available free from IRCC. We guide you through the material and practice questions so you feel fully prepared.

Pass mark: 15/20 — Ages 18–54

📅 Physical presence calculator

Use this to estimate whether you meet the 1,095-day requirement. Enter your total days outside Canada and your pre-PR days in Canada in the last 5 years.

📅 Estimate your physical presence

Days outside Canada (last 5 years)

Days in Canada as temporary resident before PR (count as ½ day each, max 365 credit)

—

Enter your numbers above to calculate

ⓘ This calculator gives an estimate only. The exact calculation on your application must account for every trip, every re-entry date, and the precise days in Canada. We calculate this precisely for you during your consultation to make sure your application is submitted correctly.

📁 Documents needed for your citizenship application

We prepare a personalised document list for your specific situation. These are the standard documents required for most adult citizenship applications filed from inside Canada.

🛂

Current and all previous passports

Every passport used in the last 5 years — including expired ones. Used to calculate travel absences.

🏠

Permanent Resident (PR) card

Front and back copy of your current PR card confirming your PR status

📄

Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

Your original COPR document issued when you became a permanent resident

📋

Notice of Assessment (tax returns)

CRA Notice of Assessment for each of the last 5 tax years — or a letter if not required to file

📸

Passport-size photographs

Recent, white background, IRCC specifications — 2 photos required

📜

Travel history document

A complete record of every trip outside Canada in the last 5 years — dates, destinations, duration. We compile this from your passports.

🌍

Language evidence (if applicable)

Proof of English/French proficiency — Canadian education transcripts, employment letter, or approved language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF)

👤

Identity documents

Birth certificate, and any name change documentation if your name has changed since receiving PR

💼

Employment records (if needed)

May be needed to demonstrate language proficiency or to account for your presence in Canada during the reference period

👪

Child’s documents (if including minors)

Birth certificate, passport, and custody documents if applicable — minors under 18 can be included in a parent’s application

🌎 The citizenship application journey — step by step

★

Free consultation & eligibility check

We review your PR date, travel history, and tax filing history. We calculate your physical presence days precisely and confirm you meet all 5 requirements before you apply. We explain the full process in Sinhala, Tamil, or English.

Before anything else

Physical presence calculation & travel history

We go through every passport you have held in the last 5 years and compile a precise record of every departure and return. We calculate your exact physical presence days, including any pre-PR half-day credits. This is the foundation of the entire application.

Most critical step

Document preparation & form completion

We complete all IRCC citizenship forms — including the physical presence calculation table — and review your tax notices, PR card, language evidence, and photographs. Every document is checked before submission. You approve everything before we file.

Weeks 2 – 4

Online submission to IRCC

We submit your citizenship application through the IRCC online portal and confirm receipt. You receive an acknowledgement letter with your application number. Processing times are currently 12–24 months from submission.

Processing: 12–24 months typical

Biometrics & additional requests

IRCC may request biometrics or additional documents during processing. We respond to any requests immediately and help you provide everything IRCC needs. We track your application and update you at every stage.

If requested by IRCC

Citizenship test

Applicants aged 18–54 are invited to write the citizenship knowledge test — 20 questions on Canadian history, geography, values, and government from Discover Canada. You need 15/20 to pass. We prepare you with study materials and practice questions so you walk in confident. The test is usually in person at an IRCC office.

Pass mark: 15/20

We prepare you

Interview (if required)

Some applicants are called for an interview with a citizenship officer — usually to verify language proficiency or to clarify any concerns. We prepare you thoroughly if this happens. Many applications proceed directly from test to ceremony without an interview.

Not always required

🇨🇦

Citizenship ceremony — you are Canadian

You receive an invitation to a citizenship ceremony — in person or virtual. You take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your Certificate of Canadian Citizenship. This is the moment everything has been building toward. Congratulations — you are Canadian.

🇨🇦 You are officially Canadian

💬 Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need to have been in Canada to apply for citizenship? ⌄

You need to have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the 5 years immediately before your application date. Days spent outside Canada are absences and do not count. Days spent in Canada as a temporary resident (student, worker, or visitor) before becoming a PR count as half a day, up to a maximum credit of 365 days. We calculate this precisely for you — it is the most important and most commonly miscalculated part of the application.

Can I travel outside Canada after submitting my citizenship application? ⌄

Yes. Once you have submitted your citizenship application, travel outside Canada does not affect your eligibility — the physical presence calculation is fixed at the date you applied. However, you must maintain your PR status while your application is pending, which means you should keep your PR card valid and ensure you do not trigger a PR obligation concern. Also — do not travel if you have an upcoming test or ceremony date scheduled.

What is the citizenship test and how hard is it? ⌄

The citizenship test has 20 multiple-choice and true/false questions drawn from the Discover Canada study guide. You need 15 correct to pass. Topics include Canadian history, geography, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, the political system, and national symbols. Most people who study Discover Canada thoroughly pass on their first attempt. We guide you through the material with practice questions and help you focus on the areas most likely to appear. The test is usually written in person at an IRCC office near you.

What happens if I fail the citizenship test? ⌄

If you do not pass, you will be given a second opportunity to write the test. If you do not pass the second attempt, a citizenship officer will interview you to assess your knowledge of Canada. The interview allows you to demonstrate your knowledge verbally. We prepare you for both the test and the interview so this situation is avoided.

Do I have to give up my Sri Lankan citizenship to become Canadian? ⌄

Canada allows dual citizenship — you do not need to give up your Sri Lankan citizenship to become Canadian. However, Sri Lanka does have restrictions on dual citizenship. Sri Lanka generally does not recognise dual citizenship for its nationals — meaning that when you are in Sri Lanka, you may be treated as a Sri Lankan national only. We advise on this during your consultation. Many Sri Lankans hold both passports and travel between the countries without issue in practice.

My PR card has expired. Can I still apply for citizenship? ⌄

Yes — an expired PR card does not mean you have lost PR status. As long as your PR status is still valid (you have not abandoned it or had it revoked), you can apply for citizenship. You will just need to apply for a PR card renewal alongside or separately. We advise on the best sequence of steps for your situation.

Can my children get Canadian citizenship if I become a citizen? ⌄

Children under 18 who are permanent residents can be included in a parent’s citizenship application at no additional application fee. Children born in Canada are already Canadian citizens by birth. Children born outside Canada after you become a citizen may be eligible for citizenship by descent — though there are generational limits. We advise on the best approach for your family during your consultation.

How long does the citizenship application take? ⌄

Current processing times are approximately 12–24 months from submission. This includes the time for IRCC to review your application, schedule your test, and invite you to a ceremony. Processing times fluctuate based on IRCC capacity. We track your application throughout and keep you informed at every stage.

🇨🇦 Citizenship at a glance

Days required

1,095 days

Reference period

Last 5 years

Application fee (govt.)

CAD $630

Right of Citizenship (govt.)

CAD $100

Test questions

20 questions

Pass mark

15 / 20

Test age range

18 – 54 years

Processing time

12 – 24 months

Not sure if you qualify yet?

Tell us your PR date and travel history — we’ll calculate your days and tell you exactly when you can apply.

Related services

Useful links

Our office

GTA Square
155–5215 Finch Ave East
Toronto, Ontario M1S 0C2
+1 416-666-5627
[email protected]

🇨🇦Citizenship specialists for Sri Lankans

💬Sinhala, Tamil & English support

📍Toronto office · Remote across Canada

🏫Test preparation included

📅 Book Consultation

This page is launching soon

Canadian citizenship
application

Not sure if you qualify yet?

Ready to become Canadian?

Canadian citizenshipapplication

Not sure if you qualify yet?

Ready to become Canadian?

Canadian citizenship
application