Your physical presence
An estimate for planning, not an official count. Keep your travel records and check with IRCC.
The rule
What the 1,095-day rule says.
IRCC requires at least 1,095 days (3 years) in Canada during the 5 years before the date you sign your application. Time in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before you became a PR counts as half a day each, up to a maximum of 365 days of credit. Time in prison, on parole or on probation does not count.
IRCC encourages you to apply with more than 1,095 days as a safety buffer.
Citizenship has other requirements too, such as filing taxes if required and language and knowledge tests for most adults. Check IRCC’s page for the full list.
How we count
How this calculator counts days.
- It counts the 5 years ending on the application date you choose.
- The days you leave and return are not counted as days in Canada. This is the cautious choice and may undercount by up to two days per trip.
- Enter the number of days you spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person in that 5-year window. We count half, up to 365 days of credit.
- The earliest-date result assumes you stay in Canada from today. Any future trips push it later.
FAQ
Common questions.
Do I need to be in Canada the whole time?
No. You need 1,095 days in the 5 years before you apply. You can travel, but the days away do not count.
Do days before I became a PR count?
Partly. Each day as a temporary resident or protected person counts as half a day, up to 365 days of credit. Refugee claimants get no credit between the claim and a positive decision.
What if I am close to 1,095 days?
IRCC advises applying with more than 1,095 days in case of a problem with the calculation. Keep records such as passport stamps, travel history and tax documents.
Does this tool replace IRCC’s calculator?
No. It is a planning aid. IRCC has its own physical presence calculator, and the official count is the one that matters.
Will you store my trips?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and is gone when you close the page.
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