All adults between 18 and 54 who apply for citizenship must send IRCC proof that they meet the language requirement for citizenship. For this they must have proof that they meet the Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 for speaking and listening – click here to see the CLB level 4 Benchmark descriptions.

If you already submitted proof of language ability for your application for permanent residence as a Federal Skilled Worker or for the Canadian Experience Class, you will need to send this again.

If you have completed your secondary or post-secondary education in English or French, you will need a transcript, diploma, certificate or degree to prove this. Note: a single course done in English or French is not enough.

If you attended a LINC program you will need to send in proof of achieving CLB 4 in speaking and listening.

Note: Initial placement tests by a LINC assessment centre and/or attendance at local (Whistler/Pemberton) ESL groups are not accepted as proof of achieving CLB 4 in speaking and listening.

If you do not have any of these documents, you will need to take an approved English (or French) language test showing that you meet the CLB level 4 Benchmark description.

Click here to find out if you have Acceptable documents for the citizenship language requirement

CELPIP General is the IRCC approved test that many people will take to apply for permanent residence. IRCC will also accept a copy of these results for your citizenship application.

CELPIP General LS – listening and speaking version of the CELPIP General test. It is advisable to take this test if you have not taken a General Test for permanent residence or if you do not have evidence of a secondary or post-secondary qualification in English.

IELTS – General training (International English Language Testing System)

click here for an approved test for the French language

to access and to borrow CELPIP preparation materials from Whistler and Pemberton Newcomers Services, contact a Settlement Worker tel: 604.698.5960 email: wpnewcomers@capilanou.ca

CELPIP and IELTS results

CELPIP and IELTS will not tell you if you pass or fail. You will receive a number as your result. To see what CELPIP and IELTS scores are equivalent to the CLB levels, check here

Note: IRCC may change the language requirements at any time. Please check the IRCC website for up-to-date information.

Find full details of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) requirements at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/language.asp

To be eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship you must;

1. be a permanent resident of Canada

2. have lived in Canada for 1095 days in the last 5 years; some time as a temporary resident may be eligible

3. have filed your taxes every year you lived in Canada

4. plan to stay in Canada during the application process

5. speak and understand English or French

6. know about Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols

7. not have a criminal record

You can find more information about Canadian Citizenship eligibility here.

Follow the steps below to complete your application.

1. Fill out the Application for Canadian Citizenship

2. Collect all the documents you will need for your application. These include:

• Print out of your completed on-line Physical Presence Calculation

• Photocopy of your proof of language

• Photocopy of your passports from the 5-year period before you apply

• Photocopy of another piece of ID such as your driver’s license, MSP card, passport (PR card, SIN card, credit cards and bank cards are not accepted)

• Police Record Check if you have been in another country for 183 days or more the last 4 years

• 2 photographs

• Translations of any documents that are not English or French

• Completed document checklist

3. Pay the citizenship fee. The processing fee is $530 and cannot be refunded. The ‘right of citizenship’ fee is $100 and can be refunded if your application is refused. For more information about citizenship fees click here. You must pay your fees online and include a print out of the receipt with your application.

4. Mail it to the address below (By regular mail Canada Post):

Case Processing Centre—Sydney

Grant Adults

P.O. Box 7000

Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6

Canada

By courier (FedEx, UPS, etc.)

Case Processing Centre—Sydney

Grant Adults

47­–49 Dorchester Street

Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 5Z2

Check the processing times to see about how long it will take for your application to be processed.

Start preparing for the citizenship test if you are between the ages of 18-55.

Resources to help you prepare for the Citizenship Test:

• All the questions on the test are from the Discover Canada This is a great resource to use when studying for the test.

• Free online citizenship study guide to practice for the test using quizzes, flashcards, maps, questions and games.

• Check with Whistler Pemberton Newcomer Services for the date of the next Citizenship Test Preparation workshops

• Richmond public library has many online Practice questions

When your application is approved you will be sent the date and time of your test. Click here for information about what to do if you miss or are not available to take your citizenship test.

The final step to becoming a Canadian Citizen is to attend the Citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony you will take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your citizenship certificate. When you attend the ceremony, you must bring your permanent resident card. If you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002, you will also need to bring your Record of Landing.