Track Your Citizenship Application
From sending your package to taking the oath, here are the eight official steps of a Canadian citizenship application. Check off the ones you have reached and note your dates: the dashboard shows where you stand, the time elapsed since the acknowledgement of receipt and what comes next.
- official steps, from submission to the oath
- 8
- IRCC's service standard after the acknowledgement of receipt
- 12 months
- your checkmarks and dates stay in your browser
- 100% private
Your journey
Next step
Application submitted
Check off "Acknowledgement of Receipt" and enter its date: the dashboard will track the processing time.
Application submitted
You are hereYou uploaded or mailed your complete application package to IRCC.
Keep the online confirmation or the postal receipt: it is your proof of filing.
Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
IRCC confirms your application is complete and in the system.
Most often 1 to 4 weeks after an online application, longer by mail. The 12-month service standard starts here.
Test invitation
You receive the date, time and format of your citizenship test.
Usually a few months after the acknowledgement of receipt, sometimes with only a few weeks' notice.
Citizenship test
You take the 20-question test. Passing score: 15 out of 20.
30 minutes, online for most applicants aged 18 to 54. A mock exam reproduces the exact format.
Interview (if required)
An officer checks your identity, your original documents and your language level.
Not systematic. It sometimes takes place on test day.
Decision made
IRCC approves your application after you pass the test and the final checks are done.
The wait varies from file to file: the most variable step of the journey.
Ceremony invitation
You receive the date of your citizenship ceremony, in person or online.
Sent at least one week before the ceremony, often a few weeks. Watch your email, including the spam folder.
Oath and ceremony
You take the oath of citizenship and become a Canadian citizen.
The certificate is handed over on site, or mailed after an online ceremony.
What to do while you wait
Four habits that prevent most unpleasant surprises.
Compare against the right benchmark
IRCC's service standard is about 12 months between the acknowledgement of receipt and the ceremony, and the published time in 2026 hovered around 13 months. A step that stays unchanged for a while is not a bad sign in itself.
Keep your contact details current
Report any move and any change of email to IRCC. An outdated address is one of the most ordinary reasons people miss an invitation.
Prepare for the test now
The invitation sometimes gives only a few weeks' notice. Our mock exams and chapter quizzes are free and reproduce the official format.
Gather your documents
Permanent resident card, passports (including expired ones) and travel dates: these serve for the test, for any interview and for the ceremony.
Frequently asked questions about tracking
Does this tool show the official status of my application?
No. It is a personal checklist with no link to IRCC's system. For the official status, sign in to your IRCC account or the application status tracker with your UCI and your application number.
How long does a citizenship application take in 2026?
IRCC aims for a service standard of about 12 months between the acknowledgement of receipt and the oath. In 2026, the time published on IRCC's website hovered around 13 months for most files; those that need extra checks (residence questionnaire, fingerprints, travel history) take longer.
I have not received an acknowledgement of receipt. Is that normal?
For an online application, the acknowledgement of receipt most often arrives within 1 to 4 weeks; by mail, expect longer. Check your spam folder. If you hear nothing after several months, use IRCC's web form to ask about your file.
Can I travel while my application is being processed?
Yes, provided you keep your permanent resident status and are in Canada for the test, any interview and the ceremony. Invitations sometimes come with little notice: avoid long stays abroad and keep IRCC informed of your contact details.
Where are my checkmarks stored?
In your browser's storage, on this device only. Nothing is sent to a server. If you clear the site data or switch devices, the list starts from scratch.
Go further
The test invitation sometimes gives only a few weeks' notice. Get ahead: a timed, free 20-question mock exam.
Take a mock exam