After passing your Canadian citizenship test and interview, you will generally wait between 1 to 4 months to receive an invitation to schedule your Oath of Citizenship. Opting for a virtual video ceremony often results in a faster scheduling date.
Taking the Oath of Citizenship is the final, most emotional step in your immigration journey. It is the exact moment you transition from a Permanent Resident to a fully recognized citizen of Canada. After spending years fulfilling physical presence days, filing taxes with the CRA, and studying for the citizenship exam, the waiting period for the ceremony can feel like an eternity.
Understanding how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) schedules these ceremonies will help manage your expectations. Because IRCC handles hundreds of thousands of applicants nationwide, scheduling depends heavily on your local processing centre, whether you live in Ottawa, Edmonton, or Victoria. 📍 Today, applicants have the option to attend their ceremony in person or virtually, which greatly impacts how long it takes to secure a date.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Your journey from test-taker to Canadian citizen follows a very specific federal administrative path. Here is what happens behind the scenes after you pass the Canadian citizenship test.
Step 1: Passing the Citizenship Test
First, you must score at least 15 out of 20 on the official citizenship test. Once you pass, your file is updated, and you may be required to attend a brief interview with an immigration officer to verify your original documents (such as your passport and PR card) and confirm your language skills. 📄
Step 2: Waiting for Decision Made Status
After your test and interview, your IRCC online portal will eventually update from “In Process” to “Decision Made.” This status means an officer has officially approved your application. The timeline between passing the test and seeing “Decision Made” can range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on routine background checks.
Step 3: Receiving the Notice to Appear
Once the decision is finalized, IRCC will email or mail you a formal document called the Notice to Appear for the Oath of Citizenship. This notice typically arrives 1 to 3 weeks before the actual date of your ceremony. It will contain explicit instructions on whether your oath is virtual (via Zoom) or in-person at a local government centre. 📧
Step 4: Taking the Oath and Cutting the PR Card
On the scheduled day, you will join a judge and other new Canadians to recite the Oath of Allegiance. After taking the oath, you will be required to physically cut up your Permanent Resident card to invalidate it. Within a few days (or weeks, if by mail), you will receive your official Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, which you can then use to apply for a Canadian passport at Service Canada.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Attending the Oath of Citizenship ceremony itself does not incur any new fees. The financial aspects of this final step are straightforward:
- Ceremony Fee: $0 CAD. The cost of organizing the ceremony and printing your certificate is already covered by the initial $630 CAD application fee you paid months earlier.
- Passport Fees: Once you receive your citizenship certificate, you will likely want to travel. A standard 10-year adult Canadian passport costs $160 CAD, payable at Service Canada.
- Rescheduling Costs: If you miss your oath without a valid excuse, IRCC may close your file. Re-opening a closed application or re-applying requires paying the full $630 CAD federal fee again.
| Ceremony Type | Average Wait Time (Post-Test) | Location Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Oath (Zoom) | 1 to 3 Months | Must be physically inside Canada to log in. |
| In-Person Oath | 2 to 5 Months | Local IRCC office or community centre. |
| Urgent Processing | 1 to 3 Weeks | Requires proof of emergency (e.g., medical, job). |
How Long Does the Process Take?
For most applicants in May 2026, the wait between passing the citizenship test and attending the oath ceremony is 1 to 4 months. Choosing a virtual ceremony generally speeds up this timeline, as IRCC can process larger batches of applicants without geographical space limitations. If you request an in-person ceremony in a busy metropolis like Toronto or Vancouver, you may wait slightly longer for an available physical venue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I travel outside of Canada while waiting for the oath?
Yes, you can travel on your valid PR card. However, you must be physically present inside Canada to take a virtual Oath of Citizenship. If you are scheduled while travelling, you must return to Canada or request to reschedule the ceremony.
What happens if I miss my scheduled oath ceremony?
If you miss the date, you have 30 days to contact IRCC with a valid explanation (such as a severe medical issue). If you do not contact them, your application will be abandoned, and you will lose your Canadian citizenship approval.
Can a lawyer speed up my oath ceremony scheduling?
A law firm cannot magically jump you ahead of the line. However, if you have a genuine emergency (like a sick relative abroad or a job offer requiring a Canadian passport), a lawyer can help you submit a formal request for Urgent Processing with IRCC.
Do I get my PR card back after the ceremony?
No. During the oath ceremony, you will be instructed to destroy your Permanent Resident card. Once you are a citizen, your PR status is permanently revoked, and you will use your citizenship certificate and a Canadian passport moving forward.
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