Thinking about Canadian citizenship? Start by putting your travel dates in order. Accurate records make the physical-presence calculation easier to check.

Count the right period

IRCC’s adult citizenship guidance generally requires 1,095 days of physical presence in the five years before applying. Use the official Physical Presence Calculator for the relevant period. The day count is one part of eligibility, not the whole assessment.

Separate the types of status

Permanent-resident days in Canada generally count as full days. Eligible time as a temporary resident or protected person before permanent residence can count as half days, up to a maximum credit of 365 days. Special circumstances can affect the calculation.

Check the dates carefully

Compare your list with passports and other reliable travel records. Keep temporary-resident time separate from permanent-resident time. Resolve gaps or conflicting dates before submitting. Then review the other applicable requirements, including language, tax filing and prohibitions. A calculator result is useful, but it is not an approval decision.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — Check if you are eligible to apply for citizenship.

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