Canadian Citizenship Application Costs 2025

Updated March 2025 · bremo.io

After meeting the residency requirements for Canadian citizenship, the final step is the application process. Compared to permanent residence fees, citizenship costs are relatively modest. Here is everything you need to know about the financial side of becoming a Canadian citizen.

2025 Citizenship Application Fees

Adults (18 and Over)

• Processing fee: $530 CAD
• Right of Citizenship fee (included in the $530): $100 CAD
• The $530 covers both the application processing and the right of citizenship. This is an all-in fee for adults.

Minors (Under 18)

• Processing fee: $100 CAD
• Children do not pay the Right of Citizenship fee. If a minor is applying at the same time as a parent, only the parent pays the full $530; each child pays $100.

Stateless Persons (Born to Canadian Parents)

• A different category exists for persons seeking to be recognized as Canadian citizens by descent. The fee is $100 CAD.

What the $530 Covers

The citizenship application fee includes:

• File review and eligibility assessment
• Citizenship knowledge test (if applicable)
• Citizenship interview (if applicable)
• Oath ceremony attendance
• Issuance of citizenship certificate

Residency Requirements Before Applying

To apply for citizenship, adults must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) out of the 5 years before applying. Days spent as a temporary resident (on a study or work permit) count at 50% — meaning each day counts as half a day. Days as a permanent resident count fully.

Language Requirement

Applicants aged 18–54 must demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French. Acceptable proof:

• Passing the citizenship language test embedded in the knowledge test process
• Official language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, DELF) — no separate IRCC fee, but test fees apply ($280–$600 CAD depending on test)
• Completion of secondary or post-secondary education in English or French

Canadian History and Values Test

Most applicants aged 18–54 must pass the citizenship knowledge test. The test covers:

• Canadian history and geography
• Government and democratic values
• Rights and responsibilities of citizens

The study guide (Discover Canada) is available free on the IRCC website. No separate fee for the test itself — it is included in the $530 application fee.

Citizenship Certificate Fees

The citizenship certificate is included with the application fee. However, if you need a replacement certificate later:

• Replacement adult certificate: $75 CAD
• Replacement child certificate: $75 CAD

Passport Application After Citizenship

Citizenship itself does not give you a passport — you must apply separately. Canadian passport fees in 2025:

• 5-year adult passport: $120 CAD
• 10-year adult passport: $160 CAD
• Child passport (under 16, valid 5 years): $57 CAD

Expedited processing (24–2 business days) adds $110 CAD to the base fee.

Total Cost Estimate for a Family of Four

• Two adult citizenship applications: $1,060
• Two children (under 18): $200
• Four passports (10-year adult x2, child x2): $434
• Language test (if needed, one adult): $280
• Estimated total: ~$1,974 CAD

Processing Times and What to Expect

IRCC's published citizenship processing time is currently around 12 months for most straightforward applications. During this time:

• You will receive a notice to appear for the knowledge test (usually a few months after application)
• If additional review is needed, an interview may be scheduled
• Once approved, you receive an invitation to the citizenship ceremony
• At the ceremony, you take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your citizenship certificate

Citizenship Fee Refunds

The processing fee ($530 for adults) is partially refundable:

• If you withdraw before a decision is made: the Right of Citizenship fee ($100) portion is refunded, not the processing fee ($430)
• If IRCC refuses your application: the Right of Citizenship fee ($100) is refunded

Financial Setup as a New Citizen

Citizenship opens additional financial options. As a Canadian citizen you can:

• Work abroad and maintain Canadian tax residency more flexibly
• Sponsor more categories of family members
• Access government employment requiring citizenship clearance
• Vote and hold elected office

If you haven't already set up a full-service Canadian bank account, now is a great time. Having no-fee banking, credit card history, and an RRSP or TFSA account are the foundation of long-term financial health in Canada.