You must have lived here for at least three years You must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the four years immediately before you apply for citizenship. For example, if you applied for citizenship on June 1, 2011, we would count back to June 1, 2007. Each day you lived in Canada AFTER you became a permanent resident counts as one day of residence. Each day you lived in Canada BEFORE you became a permanent resident counts as half a day of residence. To find out when you can apply for citizenship, use the online Residence Calculator, available on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada ( CIC ) website at www.cic.gc.ca , or contact the CIC Call Centre (see " Contact Information " at the end of this publication). You must know English or French Canada has two official languages -- English and French. If you are applying as an adult and are between 18 and 54 years of age, you must successfully demonstrate an adequate knowledge of English or French to become a Canadian citizen. Adequate knowledge is defined as the ability to speak and understand basic statements and questions in the given language. You must demonstrate knowledge of Canada You must understand the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, such as voting in elections, obeying the law, and helping others in the community. You must also demonstrate knowledge of Canada's government, history, symbols and geography. If you are applying as an adult and