Maple News reports that Canada granted citizenship to more than 354,000 individuals in 2023, underscoring the country’s steady commitment to immigration and integration. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted over 3,000 citizenship ceremonies across the nation, ushering in thousands of new Canadians.
While the number marked a slight decline compared to 2022’s 375,413 new citizens, it continues a strong upward trajectory in naturalizations from the pandemic years. By comparison, 250,513 people became Canadian citizens in 2019, followed by sharp drops amid COVID-19 disruptions—110,989 in 2020 and 137,133 in 2021.
IRCC has also made significant strides in reducing its citizenship application backlog. In January 2022, 46% of applications were considered backlogged. As of November 2023, that figure dropped to 20%, meeting IRCC’s internal processing target. These improvements are the result of several digital and operational innovations.
To streamline the citizenship process and enhance client service, IRCC has launched multiple online tools, including a digital citizenship test platform, virtual citizenship ceremonies, and an online application portal. Additionally, the introduction of an application tracker enables clients to monitor the status of their cases in real-time. The department has also expanded its workforce to boost overall application processing capacity.
For permanent residents aiming for citizenship, IRCC maintains specific eligibility requirements. These include being a permanent resident of Canada, fulfilling tax obligations as required, passing a citizenship test and language test (for applicants aged 18 to 54), and meeting physical presence criteria.
Specifically, applicants must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days—equivalent to three years—within the five years leading up to their citizenship application. Only those most recent five years are considered when determining eligibility.
With immigration targets projected to remain high in the coming years, Canada’s focus on modernization and digital solutions appears to be paying off. The country continues to be an attractive destination for newcomers seeking permanent residence and eventual citizenship, bolstering both its cultural diversity and workforce resilience.