What happens after the Canadian citizenship test?

What happens after the Canadian citizenship test?

An officer reviews your result. You may then be invited to an interview, and after that you get an invitation to a citizenship ceremony. IRCC does not give a fixed time for these steps.

Last checked: 31 October 2026

This is general information to help you prepare. Your own case is decided by IRCC.

Step 1: the officer reviews your result

If you took the test online, the score you saw on screen was only temporary. An officer reviews the test first. IRCC says this takes a few days or a few weeks.

In person and Microsoft Teams tests are different. You get your result right after the test.

A pass means at least 15 right out of 20. If you did not pass, read what happens if you fail. It is not the end of the road.

Step 2: a possible interview

Some people are invited to an interview after a pass. It depends on your case, so not everyone gets one.

The interview is for three things: to check who you are, to check the copies of your documents against the originals, and to confirm that you meet the rules. It does not always mean a final decision.

It is not a second test. You may have to bring:

• the original documents from your application
• any passports or travel documents you used in the 5 years before you applied

Adults can be invited, including people 55 and over. Minors aged 14 to 17 can be invited too, if no parent is applying at the same time. In that case the minor and the person who submitted the application both go.

Step 3: the ceremony invitation

When your application is approved, you are invited to a citizenship ceremony. IRCC sends the invitation at least 1 week before the ceremony date. It arrives by email if you gave an address. If IRCC has no email for you, it may call, and if it cannot reach you, it sends the invitation by mail.

The invitation shows the date, the time, the format (online or in person) and the language of the ceremony. Read more in our citizenship ceremony guide. The ceremony is where you take the oath of citizenship.

How long does it take?

IRCC does not give a time for the interview or for the ceremony invitation. The wait depends on current processing times and on your case. Some applications take longer, for example when they are not routine.

Our page on processing time explains what you can and cannot know.

How do you check your status?

Use your online account and the application status tracker. It can show a decision, an interview invitation, a retest invitation or a hearing invitation. In the "Citizenship ceremony" part, "In progress" means IRCC is working on scheduling your ceremony. You can open the tracker on the application status page.

Add emails ending in "@cic.gc.ca" to your safe sender list. Check your spam folder too, so you do not miss an invitation.

While you wait

You can leave Canada after you apply, if you keep your permanent resident status and can answer letters and emails on time, usually within 30 days. But you must be in Canada for your interview and ceremony, so plan trips with care.

Want to be sure of the test first?

If you have not taken the test yet, try our free practice test. If you want more full mocks, see the prices.