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Canadian Citizenship Glossary

The words you will meet while studying for the citizenship test and tracking your application, defined in plain language and grouped by theme: status, application, test, ceremony and the notions the exam checks. Search a term, filter by theme, then open the guide that goes deeper.

terms defined in plain language: 37
themes, from status to ceremony: 5
every term in both official languages: EN + FR

37 terms

Status and eligibility

The conditions to meet before you apply.

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB): The scale used to measure French and English. Applicants aged 18 to 54 must prove a level of at least CLB 4.; Read the guide
Dual citizenship: Holding citizenship in two countries at once. Canada allows dual citizenship.; Read the guide
Eligibility: The set of conditions you must meet to apply for citizenship: permanent resident status, physical presence, language and knowledge.; Read the guide
Language requirement: The need to show adequate knowledge of French or English, required for applicants aged 18 to 54.; Read the guide
Naturalization: The process by which a permanent resident becomes a Canadian citizen after meeting the requirements.; Read the guide
Permanent resident (PR): A person allowed to live in Canada permanently without being a citizen. Permanent resident status is required before applying for citizenship.; Read the guide
Physical presence: The number of days actually spent in Canada. You need 1,095 days of physical presence in the 5 years before you apply for citizenship.; Read the guide
Prohibitions: Situations, often tied to a criminal record, that can prevent a person from getting citizenship for a set period.; Read the guide
Protected person: A person recognized as a refugee or in need of protection in Canada. Some of their time before permanent residence can count toward physical presence.
Residency obligation: The rule that requires a permanent resident to be in Canada at least 730 days out of 5 years to keep their status.; Read the guide
Sponsor: A person who agrees to financially support a relative's immigration to Canada. Sponsorship relates to immigration, not citizenship.

The application and its tracking

From the package to the decision, the words you will read in your IRCC letters.

Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR): A notice from IRCC confirming your citizenship application was received and is complete. It marks the official start of processing.; Read the guide
Application package: The set of forms and documents you submit to apply for citizenship. The main form for an adult is the CIT 0002.; Read the guide
Biometrics: Fingerprints and a photo collected by IRCC to confirm identity. They are mainly required for immigration rather than citizenship.
IRCC: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the federal department that manages citizenship applications and runs the test.
Processing time: The estimated time to process an application. IRCC's service standard for citizenship is about 12 months from the acknowledgement of receipt.; Read the guide
Test invitation: A notice from IRCC giving the date, time and format of your citizenship test, sent after your application is first processed.; Read the guide
Unique Client Identifier (UCI): An 8 or 10 digit number assigned by IRCC to identify your file across your applications.; Read the guide

The test

The official guide, the format and the passing score.

Citizenship test: A 20-question multiple choice exam based on Discover Canada. You need at least 15 correct answers (75%) to pass.; Read the guide
Discover Canada: The official study guide published by IRCC. It is the only source of the questions on the real citizenship test.; Read the guide
Passing score: The score needed to pass the citizenship test: 15 correct answers out of 20, which is 75%.; Read the guide

Ceremony and after

The oath, the ceremony and the certificate.

Citizenship ceremony: The official event where candidates take the oath, receive their certificate and become Canadian citizens.; Read the guide
Citizenship certificate: The official document that proves Canadian citizenship. It is given at the ceremony and is used, among other things, to apply for a passport.; Read the guide
Oath of Citizenship: The solemn declaration made at the ceremony. Taking the oath is the final step before you become a citizen.; Read the guide

Test knowledge

Government, history and symbols: what the test checks.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Part of Canada's Constitution that guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms of everyone in Canada.; Read the guide
Confederation: The union of the first provinces that created the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.; Read the guide
Constitution: The set of basic rules that organize Canada's government and protect rights. It includes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.; Read the guide
Governor General: The representative of the monarch at the federal level in Canada. They carry out the Crown's duties on the sovereign's behalf.; Read the guide
Indigenous peoples: The first inhabitants of Canada, grouped into three broad categories: First Nations, Metis and Inuit.; Read the guide
Levels of government: Canada has three levels: federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal. Each has its own responsibilities.; Read the guide
Member of Parliament (MP): A person elected to represent a riding in Canada's House of Commons.; Read the guide
Multiculturalism: The Canadian policy that recognizes and values the diversity of cultures within the country.; Read the guide
Prime Minister: The head of government of Canada. They lead the executive and are usually the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons.; Read the guide
Provinces and territories: Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. Knowing their capitals is useful for the test.; Read the guide
Remembrance Day: November 11, a day that honours Canadians who died in war. The poppy is its symbol.; Read the guide
Responsible government: The principle that a government must keep the confidence of a majority of elected members to stay in power.; Read the guide
Sovereign (monarch): Canada's head of state. The country is a constitutional monarchy whose sovereign is currently King Charles III.; Read the guide

Six terms to know before you apply

The ones that appear in every IRCC letter and in every avoidable refusal.

Physical presence1,095 days in 5 years: the requirement that blocks the most files.
Residency obligation730 days in 5 years to keep PR: not to be confused with physical presence.
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)CLB 4: the language level required from 18 to 54.
Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)The official starting point of the processing time.
Citizenship test20 questions, 15 correct answers, 30 minutes.
Oath of CitizenshipThe final step: no oath, no citizenship.

Frequently asked questions about the vocabulary

What is the difference between physical presence and the residency obligation?

Physical presence is what you need to apply for citizenship: 1,095 days in Canada in the 5 years before you apply. The residency obligation is what you need to keep permanent resident status: 730 days in Canada in every 5-year period. Both are counted in days, but not the same way and not for the same purpose.

What does CLB 4 mean?

Level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (NCLC 4 in French): the ability to hold a simple conversation on everyday topics. It is the minimum level required in English or French, in speaking and listening, for applicants aged 18 to 54.

AOR, UCI, CIT 0002: what do these codes stand for?

AOR is the acknowledgement of receipt confirming that your application is complete. UCI is your unique client identifier, an 8- or 10-digit number that follows all your IRCC files. CIT 0002 is the main citizenship application form for an adult.

Do the glossary terms come up on the test?

The terms in the "Test knowledge" section (responsible government, Confederation, the Charter, levels of government, Indigenous peoples) map directly to test questions. The status and application terms mostly help you understand your IRCC letters.

Are these definitions official?

They are written in plain language from IRCC's texts and the Discover Canada guide, then checked. If you are unsure about your own situation, IRCC's official texts and the Citizenship Act prevail.

Go further

How to become a Canadian citizenThe complete path, from permanent residence to the oath, step by step.The eligibility requirementsPresence, taxes, language, criminal record: the full picture before you apply.Residency calculatorCheck in seconds whether you meet the 1,095 days.Application trackerThe eight official steps, your dates and the time since the acknowledgement of receipt.

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