Why getting Canadian citizenship can take longer than you expect

March 18, 2026 · WOWERI

Getting Canadian citizenship can take over four years. Most of the wait time includes fulfilling the physical presence requirement and waiting for your citizenship application to be processed.

Introduction

Getting Canadian citizenship can take over four years from start to finish. The majority of the wait time includes fulfilling the physical presence requirement and waiting for your citizenship application to be processed.

Physical Presence Requirement

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must meet the physical presence requirement. This means you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days in the last 5 years.

Applying for Citizenship

After meeting the physical presence requirement, you can apply for citizenship. This process involves filling out an application, providing required documents, and paying the application fee.

Waiting for Application Processing

After submitting your citizenship application, you will have to wait for it to be processed. This can take several months or even years.

Conclusion

Getting Canadian citizenship is a lengthy and complex process. To increase your chances of successfully obtaining citizenship, it is essential to carefully meet all the requirements and follow the instructions.

Source: cicnews.com