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In 2023, Canada granted 379,448 individuals citizenship. This marked the highest yearly intake in the past four years. This total consists of people who were granted, adopted, or resumed Canadian citizenship through different categories.
In the third quarter of 2023 (July to September), the highest number of new citizens was recorded, reaching 104,656. In contrast, the month of April witnessed the lowest citizenship uptake, with only 15,337 new Canadian citizens.
Here’s a yearly comparison of new Canadian citizens:
- In 2023: 379,448 citizens
- 2022: 375,610 citizens
- 2021: 137,164 citizens
- 2020: 110,994 citizens
During 2023, individuals from over 200 different countries became new Canadian citizens.
Among them, Indians constituted the most significant portion, making up approximately 21% of the total new citizens welcomed by Canada.
In addition to Indians, citizens from the Philippines, Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, China, the United States, and France collectively made up half of the new Canadian citizens in 2023.
Top 10 Source Countries to Canadian Citizens
Here is the data for the top 10 sources of new Canadian citizens in the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023:
| Country of Birth | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total | 379,448 | 375,610 | 137,164 | 110,994 |
| India | 78,714 | 59,580 | 20,860 | 15,418 |
| Philippines | 36,871 | 41,586 | 18,242 | 15,991 |
| Nigeria | 14,323 | 12,688 | 3,292 | 2,287 |
| Pakistan | 13,384 | 15,207 | 5,551 | 4,740 |
| Syria | 12,999 | 20,519 | 10,054 | 7,247 |
| China | 12,621 | 10,821 | 5,147 | 4,708 |
| Iran | 10,757 | 13,085 | 4,853 | 4,888 |
| USA | 8,599 | 9,243 | 3,479 | 2,480 |
| France | 8,266 | 8,174 | 2,733 | 2,319 |
| Brazil | 6,895 | 5,294 | 1,356 | 843 |
Based on the latest official processing report from IRCC, the average processing time for Canadian citizenship applications over the past six months has been approximately 15 months.
Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Citizenship
To qualify for Canadian citizenship, a person needs to be a permanent resident (PR) and have resided in Canada for a minimum of three years out of the last five years.
Oath for Canadian Citizenship
As of 2023, the updated oath of Canadian citizenship includes a commitment to allegiance to King Charles, who is the third monarch of the country.
Additionally, the revised oath now incorporates acknowledgment and affirmation of the Aboriginal and treaty rights for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Processing Time for Canadian Citizenship
The processing time for Canadian citizenship applications, based on the latest official report, averages 15 months for 80% of applications over the last six months.
Canadian Citizenship’s Applications Fee
For those applying for Canadian citizenship, the application fee is $630 for adults (18 and older) and $100 for minors (under 18).