Canadian Citizenship Application

Children under 18 may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship through a minor citizenship application, but the requirements depend on the parents’ citizenship status and whether a parent is applying at the same time.

IRCC currently has two main application types for minors: Minor 5(2) and Minor 5(1). Choosing the correct category is important because the physical presence and tax requirements are different.

Anka Canada Immigration Consulting assists families with determining the correct citizenship application for a minor and preparing the required forms and supporting documentation.

Services are provided by Volkan Sacilik, RCIC-IRB, CICC Licence No. R1042981.

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Minor 5(2) and Minor 5(1)

A Minor 5(2) application generally applies where the child:

• is under 18;

• is a Canadian permanent resident; and

• has a Canadian parent or a parent who is applying for Canadian citizenship at the same time.

For Minor 5(2), the child does not need to meet the normal 1,095-day physical presence requirement, income tax filing requirement, citizenship test or language requirement. Minors aged 14 to 17 generally take the Oath of Citizenship.

A Minor 5(1) application generally applies where the child does not have a Canadian parent and does not have a parent applying for citizenship at the same time. In this situation, the minor must generally be a permanent resident and meet the 1,095-day physical presence requirement during the relevant 5-year period, together with applicable tax filing requirements. The citizenship test and language requirements do not apply to minors

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Is the Child Already a Canadian Citizen?

Before applying for a grant of citizenship, it is important to determine whether the child may already be a Canadian citizen.

For example, a child born outside Canada to a Canadian parent may already have citizenship by descent depending on the circumstances and the citizenship rules that apply to the date of birth. In that case, the correct process may be an application for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) rather than a minor grant application.

Citizenship-by-descent rules changed significantly in December 2025, so cases involving children born outside Canada should be assessed using the current rules rather than older assumptions.

Learn more: Proof of Canadian Citizenship & Citizenship Certificate →​

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How Anka Canada Immigration Consulting Can Assist

Anka can review:

• the child’s permanent resident status;

• the parents’ Canadian citizenship status;

• whether Minor 5(1) or Minor 5(2) applies;

• physical presence where required;

• the child’s travel and immigration history; and

• whether the child may already be a Canadian citizen.

Where retained, we can assist with preparing the appropriate citizenship application and supporting documents and identify any issues that should be clarified before submission.

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Important Information

Minor citizenship requirements depend on the child’s age, permanent resident status, parental circumstances and, in some cases, physical presence in Canada. This page provides general information only and does not guarantee citizenship eligibility or approval.