By VidMira · November 10, 2026
For most people applying for Canadian citizenship, the test is no longer something you sit in an office. You take it online, on your own computer or tablet, at a time you choose within a set window. That is convenient, but it comes with rules about your device, your ID, your camera and the room you are in. Knowing them in advance means the 45 minutes can be about the questions, not about technical problems.
Who takes the test
You take the test if you are 18 to 54 years old on the day you sign your application. People under 18 or 55 and older do not take it, and neither do people who received a waiver. If you need an accommodation, the test can also be given in person (on paper, alone or with others, or orally, with formats such as Braille available) or orally over a Microsoft Teams video call. You can request an accommodation in your application or after you receive your invitation.
The invitation
You cannot book the test yourself. IRCC sends you an invitation, usually 1 to 3 months after your acknowledgment of receipt, and sometimes later for non-routine applications. If you gave an email address, it arrives by email, so check your junk folder: genuine messages come from addresses ending in @cic.gc.ca or @canada.ca.
The invitation includes a PDF with instructions, your test start and end dates, the link to the test, your application number and your unique client identifier (UCI), and an email address to contact if something goes wrong. Keep it somewhere you can find it quickly.
The 30-day window and the 3 chances
You have 30 days, from the start date to the end date in your invitation, to take the test. You can take it at any time in that window, including evenings, weekends and holidays. You have up to 3 chances to pass within the window. You cannot sign in before it opens or after it closes.
That makes timing a real decision. Many people start studying when they apply, so that by the time the invitation arrives they only need a final review before taking the test early in the window. If you do not pass the first time, you still have time for more practice and another attempt.
What you need
- ID: your permanent resident card, even if it has expired, or another valid photo ID that shows your photo and signature, such as a driver's licence or health card.
- A device with a webcam: a desktop, laptop or tablet. Phones are not allowed. IRCC also lists Chrome on an iPad and the Microsoft Surface Pro as not supported.
- A supported browser: Chrome or Safari, ideally the latest version.
- A reliable internet connection, and no VPN.
- Good lighting, so the webcam can see your face clearly.
You do not have to be at home, and you do not even have to be in Canada. A public library computer is acceptable, as long as it meets the requirements.
Signing in, step by step
- Sign in with your application number and UCI, and accept the privacy notice and terms.
- Request the test link. It is sent to the email address on your application and expires after 15 minutes, so be ready to start.
- Open the link and enter your application number and UCI again.
- Take a photo of your ID and a photo of yourself. Glasses and religious or traditional head coverings are fine, but your face must be clearly visible. A blurry photo can invalidate the test, so retake it before you approve if it is not sharp.
- Select "Start the test". The 45-minute countdown begins and cannot be paused.
The rules during the test
- You must be alone, in the same place where you took your photos.
- Your webcam stays on and takes random photos to confirm it is you and that you are working alone.
- Close every other tab, window and program before you start.
- Do not use another device, do not look at study materials, and do not use the browser's back button.
- Make sure nothing with personal information, such as a diploma, is visible behind you.
You get a warning when 5 minutes are left, and the test submits itself at 45 minutes with whatever answers you have chosen.
When something goes wrong
- The link never arrives: check spam, add the sender address given by IRCC to your safe senders, request the link again and turn off your VPN.
- An error when you sign in: turn off your VPN and browser extensions, or try another device or connection.
- The webcam will not connect: try a different device. If you cannot get back into the test within 45 minutes, email the address in your invitation.
- You were disconnected: sign in again or use your most recent link as soon as you can. The timer keeps running.
Do a dry run a few days before: check your webcam, update Chrome or Safari, find a quiet, well-lit spot and make sure your ID is where you expect it.
Practising under the same conditions
The real test gives you 20 questions and 45 minutes, and you need 15 correct to pass. Practise the same way: a timer, 20 questions, no notes, and a review of every mistake afterwards. Our app Canada Citizenship Test Center has a mock exam built on exactly that format, with a 45-minute countdown and a full review at the end. Its 966 practice questions are written by us from the facts in Discover Canada, so they are practice, not the real test questions. Every question and chapter summary can be read aloud in English or French. The app is free, with no account and no subscription.
Get the app
Canada Citizenship Test Center is free on Google Play for Android phones. On your phone, the short link vidmira.com/get/ca takes you to the app, and our app page has more details.
Sources
The facts in this guide come from IRCC's pages on canada.ca: How the test works, Wait for a test invitation, Take the online test and Study for the test.
Checked against canada.ca on October 28, 2026. Rules can change, and the canada.ca pages always win. This guide is written by VidMira in our own words. Canada Citizenship Test Center is an independent study app and is not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Government of Canada.
