An adult citizenship applicant must hold permanent resident status and meet the physical-presence, tax-filing, language, knowledge and prohibition requirements that apply to the case. The core physical-presence test is at least 1,095 days in Canada during the five-year eligibility period, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident.

The calculation is often more detailed than counting years since landing. Eligible time in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person may count as a half-day, up to a maximum credit of 365 days. Travel dates, immigration documents and tax records should be reconciled before the application is signed. Different rules apply to minors, Crown servants and applicants seeking an accommodation or waiver.