Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially provided a clarification on the new citizenship test rules.
These updates focus on the digital shift of the evaluation process, making the online platform the primary method for most candidates.
One of the key changes in the new citizenship test rules of Canada is that the self-administered online test is now the standard “default” format.
While in-person testing was the norm before 2020, the 2026 guidelines formalize the digital experience to increase efficiency and reduce processing backlogs.
Applicants are also permitted up to three attempts to pass the online test. If an applicant is unsuccessful after the third try, such a person will be referred to a knowledge hearing with a citizenship officer.
Also, to pass, applicants must correctly answer 15 out of 20 multiple-choice questions.
This information is part of the latest instructions for officers published on the immigration department’s website.
Before the pandemic, in-person written Canadian citizenship tests were the default, typically giving applicants 30 minutes to complete the test and, if they failed, one opportunity to rewrite it before being referred to a knowledge or language hearing. During the pandemic, IRCC launched self-administered online testing and later moved to a 45-minute test with up to three attempts.
The citizenship test is a requirement for permanent residents applying to become naturalized as Canadian citizens. It applies to applicants aged 18–54.
The online test consists of 20 questions, with a passing score of 15.
Each online test is generated from a database of 300–400 test questions, balanced by topic and difficulty level.
The new instructions also highlight that if issues are found in the online test results, the applicant may be contacted to take the test again or attend an interview.
If the applicant does not receive a letter asking them to take the test again and/or they see via the Citizenship Tracker that the knowledge assessment has been passed, they have met the knowledge requirement.
Under the old instructions, applicants were allotted 30 minutes to complete a written test.
The new instructions allot 45 minutes for the online test.
IRCC switched from 30-minute tests to 45-minute tests after the pandemic.
The new instructions allow applicants who require accommodations to request additional time.
Under the new instructions, applicants who complete the online test receive a temporary score immediately after finishing the test.
This temporary score is not treated as final until IRCC has reviewed identity verification and proctoring.
If issues are identified, the applicant may be asked to retake the test or attend an interview.
The old instructions simply stated that applicants who passed could proceed to the citizenship ceremony, following a positive decision by the citizenship officer.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the citizenship test is one of the final stages of becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen.
To qualify to take the test, an applicant must first meet the other requirements for naturalization:
- Be a permanent resident of Canada;
- Have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the past five years;
- Be proficient in English or French; and
- Have filed Canadian income taxes, if required;
- The test applies only to applicants aged 18-54; younger or older applicants are exempt.
After completing the test and meeting all other eligibility criteria, applicants aged 14 or older are typically invited to take the Oath of Citizenship, which is the final step in naturalization.
After taking the oath, a successful applicant will receive proof of citizenship (in the form of a citizenship certificate), which they can use to apply for a Canadian passport.
The Canadian passport is consistently ranked among the most powerful passports in the world, with the latest ranking putting it in the seventh position globally.
