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First visit? Here's how the map works.

Steps run in order. A dashed step is blocked: something before it has to be finished first.

Check a step off when it's done. Whatever it was blocking unlocks by itself.

Some steps are IRCC's to make, not yours. Those show as waiting and can't be checked off.

Start with step 1: Check you can apply

CitizenshipCheck you qualifyStep 4 of 7

Blocked3 years in the 5 · RequiredYou are here

4. Check your tax filing

You must have filed when you were required to file, for at least 3 of the 5 years in your eligibility period.

Waiting on: Check you can apply

Open this step

The rest of the pathway, folded up

This view fits the whole pathway on one screen: the step you're on is enlarged, its neighbours are shown small, and everything further out is folded into a summary bar you can open. The idea is borrowed from degree-of-interest trees (Card and Nation, 2002).

Times and fees on this page are rough and change without notice. Check canada.ca before you pay for anything or make a plan around a date.

Step 4 of 7 · RequiredClose

Check your tax filing

BlockedRequired

The authority on this stepNewcomers to Canada and the CRAcanada.ca · Canada Revenue Agency

IRCC is the only authority here. Our summary is here to help you find your way. If anything below differs from the official page, the official page is right. Requirements, fees and processing times change without notice.

Our plain-language summaryLast reviewed 29 July 2026

You must have filed when you were required to file, for at least 3 of the 5 years in your eligibility period. The application asks you to declare, year by year, whether you had to file and whether you did.

Why it's required: You sign this declaration, and IRCC checks it against CRA records. A year you should have filed and didn't is worth fixing before you apply, not after.

Years required3 of the 5Counting only the years you were actually required to file.

Filing lateCan be fixedA late return still counts as filed once the CRA has it.

Documents you'll need

Notices of assessment for the last 5 tax years
Your CRA My Account, to confirm what was filed and when

Before this step

Not startedCheck you can apply

Finishing this unlocks: Submit your application and fee