The residence or physical presence requirements for Canadian citizenship play a crucial role. They allow applicants to become familiar with Canada and integrate into Canadian society before deciding to apply for citizenship. As per the Canada Citizenship Act, a permanent resident who has maintained residence in Canada for three years within the four-year period immediately preceding their application may be eligible for Canadian citizenship.

Section 5(1)© of the Canada Citizenship Act outlines additional requirements related to permanent residence since admission. It ensures that the individual has not ceased to be a permanent resident according to section 46 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Many prospective applicants wonder whether the three years of residency necessitate actual physical presence in Canada for 1,095 days during the four years preceding their Canadian citizenship application.

Canadian courts have established three distinct tests to determine an applicant’s residence. These tests significantly differ from one another, creating uncertainty for those who haven’t been physically present in Canada for the required duration.