Applying for Canadian Citizenship: The Oath, Eligibility Rules and What Happens on Test Day

The Chapter That Explains Why You Are Here

The "Applying for Citizenship" chapter of Discover Canada is where the study guide speaks directly to you as an applicant. It covers the citizenship test format, the Oath of Citizenship, and what happens at the ceremony when you officially become Canadian. While only about 5% of test questions come directly from this chapter, understanding it is essential because it gives the whole journey context.

The chapter opens with a genuine welcome: "It took courage to move to a new country. Your decision to apply for citizenship is another big step. You are becoming part of a great tradition that was built by generations of pioneers before you."

The Citizenship Test: What It Tests and Who Takes It

The citizenship test evaluates two basic requirements for citizenship:

1. Knowledge of Canada -- its history, geography, government, rights, responsibilities, and symbols
2. Adequate knowledge of English or French -- Canada's two official languages

The test is usually a written multiple-choice test but could also take the form of an interview with a citizenship officer. The test consists of 20 questions. You must answer at least 15 correctly (75%) to pass. You have 45 minutes to complete it.

All citizenship test questions are based on the subject areas in the Citizenship Regulations, and all required information is contained in the Discover Canada study guide. No question on the test will require knowledge from outside this guide.

Who Must Take the Test

Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 at the time of signing the citizenship application must take the citizenship test. They must also demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French.

The following are exempt from the citizenship test:

• Applicants under 18 years of age at the time of signing their application
• Applicants 55 years of age and over at the time of signing their application

Those exempt from the test are also exempt from the language requirement. They still apply for citizenship and attend the ceremony, but they do not need to pass the knowledge test.

How to Prepare: Suggestions from Discover Canada

The guide offers several practical preparation strategies:

• Study this guide -- it contains everything you need
• Ask a friend or family member to help you practise answering questions about Canada
• Call a local school, college, community centre, or immigrant-serving organization to ask about citizenship preparation classes
• Take free English or French language classes offered by the Government of Canada

Practice tests and study tools like the ones on this site can reinforce your preparation and build the confidence you need to answer quickly and correctly on test day.

The Application Process

When you apply for citizenship, IRCC officials will:

• Check your immigration status
• Verify that you are not prohibited from applying
• Ensure that you meet all requirements (residency, taxes, criminal history, etc.)

Your application may take several months to process. It is important to keep IRCC's Call Centre updated with your current mailing address throughout the process so you receive all official notifications.

After the Test: What Happens Next

If you pass the test and meet all other requirements, you will receive a Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship. This document tells you the date, time, and place of your citizenship ceremony.

If you do not pass the test, you will receive a notification outlining the next steps. As of 2026, applicants have up to three attempts to pass the online citizenship test. If all three attempts are unsuccessful, you will be referred to a hearing with a citizenship officer.

The Citizenship Ceremony

The citizenship ceremony is a meaningful and celebratory occasion. You are encouraged to bring your family and friends to share in this moment. At the ceremony, you will:

1. Take the Oath of Citizenship
2. Sign the oath form
3. Receive your Canadian Citizenship Certificate

Once you have done all three, you are officially a Canadian citizen -- with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it.

The Oath of Citizenship: Understanding What You Are Swearing

The Oath of Citizenship is the most important moment of the ceremony. The full text of the Oath is:

I swear (or affirm)
That I will be faithful
And bear true allegiance
To His Majesty the King
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 Metis peoples,
And fulfil my duties
As a Canadian citizen.

You can swear (on a religious text of your choice) or affirm (without reference to religion). Both are equally valid.

Why the Oath Is to the Sovereign, Not to Canada

One of the most thoughtful passages in Discover Canada explains why the Oath is pledged to the Sovereign (the King or Queen) rather than to a document, a flag, or a country. In Canada, loyalty is expressed to a person who represents all Canadians. As the guide puts it: "Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada."

This is a deliberately different approach from, say, the American system where citizens swear allegiance to the Constitution and the republic. In Canada, the constitutional monarchy means the Crown is the living embodiment of the state -- so pledging allegiance to the Sovereign means pledging allegiance to the entire Canadian constitutional order, including Parliament, the laws, and the Constitution's protection of Aboriginal and treaty rights.

What to Remember for the Test

• Canada has welcomed newcomers for 400 years
• Canada = constitutional monarchy + parliamentary democracy + federal state
• Test required for applicants aged 18 to 54; exempt: under 18 or 55+
• Language requirement also applies to ages 18 to 54
• Test: 20 questions, 45 minutes, must score 75% (15/20) to pass
• After passing: receive Notice to Appear to Take the Oath
• Ceremony: take Oath, sign oath form, receive Canadian Citizenship Certificate
• Oath pledged to the Sovereign -- not to a document, flag, or country
• The Oath explicitly mentions Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples

Common Mistakes on Test Day

Confusing test age exemptions: The test is required for ages 18-54. Applicants under 18 AND applicants 55+ are both exempt. Remember: it is not "seniors only" who are exempt -- children under 18 are also exempt.

Thinking the Oath is pledged to Canada or the Constitution: The Oath is pledged to the Sovereign. This is a specific and testable distinction.

Not knowing what you receive at the ceremony: You receive the Canadian Citizenship Certificate at the ceremony -- not a passport. The passport is applied for separately after becoming a citizen.

Forgetting the language exemption age: The language requirement (English or French) applies to the same age group as the test -- ages 18 to 54. Those 55 and over are also exempt from the language requirement.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

The ceremony is the finish line -- but you have to pass the test first. Our Applying for Citizenship study mode covers the Oath, the ceremony, test format, and the eligibility rules. For a full simulation of the real exam, try our 45-minute mock citizenship test with all 20 questions and the timer running.