The Physical Presence Requirement (1,095 Days) Explained
Physical presence for citizenship: 1,095 days in Canada over 5 years, half-day credit before PR, and a 365-day cap. A clear explanation of the count.
To apply for citizenship, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the 5 years (1,825 days) right before the date you apply. Each day as a permanent resident counts as one full day, and some days in Canada before you became a PR count as half a day. Days spent abroad do not count. This page explains the count; the official source is always canada.ca.
The 1,095-day rule in brief
The counting window is the 5 years going back from the day you sign your application. Within that period of 1,825 days, you need at least 1,095 days of physical presence, the equivalent of three full years spent in Canada.
- Each day in Canada as a permanent resident counts as one full day.
- Each day in Canada before PR (temporary resident or protected person) counts as half a day.
- Credit for pre-PR time is capped at 365 days.
- The 5-year window holds 1,825 days; you need at least 1,095 of them.
- Days abroad do not count, wherever you went.
The half-day credit before permanent residence
Time spent legally in Canada before you became a permanent resident can earn you days. A stay as a student, temporary worker, or protected person counts as half a day per day of presence, within the 5-year window. This credit can never exceed 365 days in total, even if you lived in the country for several years before getting your PR.
In practice, that cap means you need at least 730 days as a permanent resident, since the rest (up to 365 days) can come from the pre-PR credit.
What does not count
Days spent outside Canada are excluded, whether for vacation, business travel, or family visits. Time served under certain conditions (probation, a sentence, parole) may also not count. When in doubt, check your situation on canada.ca before you set your application date.
How to count without mistakes
The most common error is filing an application too tight, within a few days of 1,095. The count gets complicated fast once your travel history is busy. Note every departure and return, then check the total with our physical presence calculator and IRCC's official tool. For the step-by-step method, also read how to count physical presence days.
Practical tip: aim for a comfortable buffer beyond 1,095 days. An application filed too tight more often falls outside the processing standard. To place this condition among the others, see our guide on citizenship eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
How many days must I have spent in Canada? At least 1,095 days of physical presence during the 5 years (1,825 days) right before the date of your application.
Does time before permanent residence count? Yes, partly. Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before you became a PR counts as half a day, up to a maximum of 365 credited days.
Do days spent abroad count? No. Days spent outside Canada do not count toward physical presence, whatever the reason for the trip.