The Canadian Citizenship Interview / Hearing

Not every applicant has an interview or a hearing, and they are two different things. An interview checks your identity, your documents and your eligibility. A hearing follows if you fail all three of your test attempts.

Interview or hearing: what is the difference?

IRCC may invite you to an interview to verify your identity, check your documents and confirm that you are eligible for citizenship, and an interview does not necessarily lead to a final decision. A hearing is different: it is an oral assessment with a citizenship officer, and you are invited to it if you do not pass the test.

When does a hearing happen?

Your test invitation gives you a 30-day test period with up to 3 chances to pass, whether online, on Microsoft Teams or in person. If you fail all 3 times, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship officer.

What happens at the hearing

Depending on the type of hearing, the citizenship officer may ask you questions out loud about your knowledge of Canada (an oral test with 20 questions, of which you must pass 15), about your residence in Canada, or to assess your language skills in English or French (up to 9 questions, of which you must pass 6). The hearing lasts 30 to 90 minutes.

What happens afterward

After the hearing, IRCC sends you a letter with the result. If you pass, wait for your invitation to the citizenship ceremony. If you fail, your application is refused, and you need to reapply and pay the fees again if you still want to become a citizen.