Citizenship knowledge and language assessment: Tests and hearings

Citizenship knowledge testing

Legislation and regulations

As one of the requirements for citizenship, applicants aged 18 to 54 under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act (the Act) must demonstrate they meet the knowledge requirement, as outlined in 5(1)(e).

5 (1) The Minister shall grant citizenship to any person who:

(e) if 18 years of age or more but less than 55 years of age at the date of his or her application, demonstrates in one of the official languages of Canada that he or she has an adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship

Under the Citizenship Regulations, this is further clarified:

15 (1) A person is considered to have an adequate knowledge of Canada if they demonstrate, based on their responses to questions prepared by the Minister, that they know the national symbols of Canada and have a general understanding of the following subjects:

(a) the chief characteristics of Canadian political and military history;
(b) the chief characteristics of Canadian social and cultural history;
(c) the chief characteristics of Canadian physical and political geography;
(d) the chief characteristics of the Canadian system of government as a constitutional monarchy; and
(e) characteristics of Canada other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d).

15 (2) A person is considered to have an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship if they demonstrate, based on their responses to questions prepared by the Minister, that they have a general understanding of the following subjects:

(a) participation in the Canadian democratic process;
(b) participation in Canadian society, including volunteerism, respect for the environment and the protection of Canada’s natural, cultural, and architectural heritage;
(c) respect for the rights, freedoms and obligations set out in the laws of Canada; and
(d) the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c).

Eligibility

Applicants for citizenship under Adult 5(1) or Canadian Armed Forces between the ages of 18 and 54 years on the date they signed their application are required to write the citizenship knowledge test, even if they turn 55 after submitting their application.

Applicants for citizenship under Minor 5(1), Minor 5(2), or Adoptions do not need to take the citizenship test, even if they turn 18 after submitting their application. Citizenship applications for adult adoption do not require the citizenship test.

All applicants have three opportunities to pass the knowledge test. If they fail all three attempts, they are scheduled for a hearing with a citizenship officer, where the oral version of the test (hearing version) is administered.

Test formats

All citizenship tests contain 20 questions and require a minimum score of 15/20 to pass. The questions are multiple choice or true and false; there are no questions that require open-ended responses. Test questions are balanced for difficulty level to maintain fairness, and as per 15(1) and 15(2) of the Citizenship Regulations, cover prescribed content. The citizenship test can be taken in either English or French, braille, American Sign Language (ASL), or Quebec Sign Language (LSQ). Test takers have 45 minutes to take a test; additional time can be provided in order to accommodate applicants who require accommodations, including those with disabilities.

The test may be in one of several formats:

Self-administered online test;
In-person test;
Microsoft (MS) Teams test.

If the applicant fails the citizenship test 3 times, they are invited to a knowledge hearing, which takes place in-person or on Microsoft (MS) Teams.
For more information on test accommodations, please see Citizenship: Accommodations.

Self-administered online test

The self-administered online test is the default format for a citizenship test. The applicant is emailed an invitation that provides 30 days to use up to 3 attempts to pass the citizenship test. Most accessibility software (i.e., text to speech) is compatible with the online test. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cannot guarantee compatibility with all accessibility programs; if the applicant encounters an issue, they should be referred to their local office to request an alternative format.

The online test is uniquely generated for each test by pulling questions from a database of 300-400 test questions. Each question has been weighted to ensure every test version has an equal level of difficulty and that the topics and levels of questions are balanced. Based on this random test generation, applicants are extremely unlikely to receive the same test.

After providing proof of identity and taking the test, the applicant receives a temporary grade out of 20 to let them know whether they have passed or failed. However, this is not considered an official score, as the knowledge requirement is not determined to be met until after the test results are submitted, and identity verification and test proctoring occur within IRCC. If issues are found in the online test results, the applicant may be contacted to take the test again or attend an interview. If the applicant does not receive a letter asking them to take the test again and/or they see via the Citizenship Tracker that the knowledge assessment has been passed, they have met the knowledge requirement.

If an applicant fails all three test attempts, they will be invited to a knowledge hearing, which will take place in person or via MS Teams.

If the applicant requires or requests testing accommodations, the applicant should be considered for an in-person or MS Teams test with a citizenship official.

In-person test

The in-person test is used for many reasons:

the applicant does not have access to reliable internet, which is required for the other test formats;
the applicant wears a face covering and needs their identity to be verified without photos;
the applicant requires an in-person test for accommodation purposes (such as braille, using a sign language interpreter, an oral test, or additional time due to a disability);
the applicant requires an in-person test after repetitive technical issues or inadequate computer knowledge and/or technical skills to complete the self-administered online test;
a citizenship decision maker uses discretion to determine an in-person format is most applicable to the case.

At an in-person test, only one attempt occurs per event. If the applicant fails the test and another attempt to pass the test is required, it will be scheduled as a separate event. After the test is taken, an IRCC official will provide the applicant with their test score and the next steps on their citizenship file.

The in-person tests are specific test versions that ensure a proper balance of subject matter to meet the Citizenship Regulations, as well as a balance of question difficulty and format of question for fairness. If an applicant fails a test, a different test version is administered in subsequent attempts.

For more information on an in-person test for accommodation reasons, please see Citizenship: Accommodations.

Microsoft (MS) Teams test

The MS Teams test can occur for many reasons:

the applicant wears a face covering and needs their identity to be verified without photos (this is done by using a citizenship official of the same sex or gender, if requested;
the applicant requires a virtual test for accommodation purposes (such as using a sign language interpreter, an oral test, or additional time due to a disability);
the applicant requests a virtual test after repetitive technical issues;
a citizenship decision-maker uses discretion to determines a one-on-one test format is most applicable to the case.

At a citizenship test on MS Teams, only one attempt occurs per event. If the applicant fails the test and another attempt to pass the test is required, it will be scheduled as a separate event. After the test is taken, an IRCC official will provide the applicant with their test score and the next steps on their citizenship file.

The MS Teams tests are specific test versions that ensure a proper balance of subject matter to meet the Citizenship Regulations, as well as a balance of question difficulty and format of question for fairness. If an applicant fails a test, a different test version must be administered in subsequent attempts.

For more information on a test via MS Teams for accommodation reasons, please see Citizenship: Accommodations.

Knowledge hearing

A knowledge hearing occurs if an applicant has failed all 3 test attempts. It provides one final chance for the applicant to meet the knowledge requirement of citizenship. A hearing occurs for only one applicant at a time. It is not written; the hearing is oral (or uses sign language or other medium for accommodation purposes). A knowledge hearing can take place in-person or over MS Teams. For more information on knowledge hearings, please see Language and knowledge hearings for adults.

Knowledge testing for applicants with disabilities

IRCC must provide people with disabilities equal access to services. When required, IRCC provides applicants with accommodation such as:

wheelchair access;
sign language interpretation (for example, deaf individuals may have a sign language interpreter to assist in citizenship events);
personal assistance (for example, being accompanied by a care attendant, an interpreter, a service animal, a sighted guide);
oral version of the test (for example, study guide available in audio version and testing in an oral format instead of written, either in-person or on MS Teams);
assistance due to visual impairment (for example, the study guide and test are available in large print, or braille); and/or
additional time to take the test, as required.

Applicants for citizenship are the most knowledgeable on the accommodations they need for a barrier-free process. If there is any confusion on which accommodations applicants require, the applicant should be given the opportunity to clarify. The above list is not exhaustive and citizenship officials should provide all requested accommodations that do not compromise the integrity of the test and are operationally feasible.

For information on administering citizenship tests for applicants that require accommodations, please see Citizenship Accommodations.

Waiver on compassionate grounds

Waivers of the knowledge requirement can be provided on compassionate grounds. When accommodations are not able to meet an applicant’s needs, a waiver may be warranted. If a knowledge waiver is requested by an applicant, they should not be invited to any citizenship events to evaluate the knowledge requirement. In the event that a request for a waiver is not approved, the applicant must be provided with an equal number of attempts as someone who did not request a waiver with appropriate accommodation measures, if required.

If a waiver is not requested by the applicant but a citizenship official becomes aware of circumstances under which a waiver may be warranted, the applicant should be provided information on the 5(3) waivers process and the appropriate waiver forms to complete. A compassionate waiver may be requested for knowledge and/or language requirements at any point before the completion of the last attempt to pass that requirement (i.e., hearing).

Applicants cannot be required to request a compassionate waiver or complete forms related to a compassionate waiver. As per standard operating procedures, an application cannot be held indefinitely while waiting to receive them. In the event that no forms or supporting evidence are received, a decision on the compassionate waiver should be made based on the information that led to the initial 5(3) waiver referral and the application should continue to be processed.

For more information, see Citizenship: waivers on compassionate grounds.

Before the knowledge test

Notifying applicants

Applicants scheduled for a citizenship knowledge test are generally sent a test invitation by email. If the applicant does not have an email on file, the invitation will be sent via regular mail.

For self-administered online tests, applicants receive an invitation that provides a 30-calendar day testing window in which they can use their test attempts.

For in-person or MS Teams tests, applicants should have their invitation at least seven calendar days before the test date. Therefore, invitations for in-person testing sent by physical mail should be sent 14 calendar days before the test date.

The following information is included in the invitation:

the date and time of the citizenship knowledge test;
the location of the test;
specification that the test will be a written test;
the identification and supporting documents the applicant must bring to the test;
information on how to request testing accommodations; and
any other information pertinent to the testing platform.

Security of knowledge test

The integrity of the citizenship testing process is compromised if the tests are released in the public domain. While the knowledge tests themselves (and related testing materials) are classified as Protected B, they should be treated as Secret and, as such, handled with the utmost care and security. The printed and electronic copies of the knowledge tests and answer keys must be securely stored.
IRCC local offices should continue to stress the importance of the non-disclosure of test information to applicants at test sessions and oral knowledge hearings.
IRCC receives many requests from the media, elected officials and members of the public for copies of the knowledge tests. Under no circumstances should tests be released.
For tests over MS Teams, both the test invitation and the test preamble explain to applicants that documenting test questions or taking screen shots is not acceptable.
For self-administered online tests, the applicant must agree to terms and conditions before taking the test, including that they will not share test questions or answers with others.
Should a problem or situation that could potentially compromise the citizenship knowledge test—written or oral version—be identified, local offices must notify Citizenship Operations as soon as they become aware of the incident so that the appropriate action can be taken.

At the knowledge test

Self-administered online test

In most cases, the citizenship knowledge test is self-administered online. Applicants who are exempt from the test as well as applicants who have requested a knowledge waiver will not receive an invitation to the online test.

Once applicants receive their invitation to the self-administered online test, they have 30 calendar days to take up to three attempts to pass the test.

Administering the written knowledge test in person

The following steps must occur when administering the written knowledge test in person:

Verify each applicant’s identity. If an applicant’s identity cannot be verified, the applicant cannot take the test.
Make sure there are at least two monitors (proctors) for each group of 50 applicants.
Deliver the test preamble and answer questions from the applicants regarding test procedures before starting the test.
Ensure that:
- only those taking the knowledge test are in the test room;
- couples, family members and friends are not seated together;
- tests are pre-sorted, so people sitting next to each other receive different versions (there are different versions of the test, and there should be a random, even distribution of the test versions); and
During the test, do not interrupt or talk to applicants unless absolutely necessary.
Alert applicants five minutes before the test ends.
Make sure all copies of the test booklets/versions are collected and that all pages are still in the booklets/versions. Verify that none of the original test booklets/versions have any handwritten notes or answers marked. If an officer notices something is missing, they should report the incident immediately to their supervisor and Citizenship Operations.

Administering the knowledge test on Microsoft Teams

When applicants are tested on MS Teams, the event is specific to an individual applicant and requires an individually sent invitation. Aside from the use of MS Teams, the procedures are very similar to in-person testing. Like in-person testing, if the applicant has already attempted the test, IRCC officials must ensure to use a different version of the test.

Aside from the use of MS Teams, the procedures are very similar to in-person testing. Like in-person testing, if the applicant has already attempted the test, IRCC officials must ensure to use a different version of the test.

The following steps must occur when administering the knowledge test on MS Teams:

Verify the applicant’s identity. If an applicant’s identity cannot be verified, the applicant cannot take the test.
Deliver the test preamble and answer questions from the applicant regarding test procedures before starting the test.
Ensure that:
- You can see and hear the applicant;
- Only the applicant is in the room to take the test.
Alert applicant five minutes before the test ends.

Cheating

If it is suspected that an applicant is cheating at an in-person or MS Teams knowledge test session, the test must stop. If in-person, the test must be taken away. An applicant caught cheating forfeits their opportunity to be tested again. Detailed notes should be entered in GCMS and as to what transpired during the test session to ensure there is a record for reference. The applicant should be scheduled for a hearing with a citizenship officer.

Cheating on a test or during a hearing may constitute misrepresentation, as the results may not be a true measure of the knowledge or abilities of the applicant. If an officer believes there is misrepresentation associated with an application, the officer must summarize their findings for their local officer supervisor.

After the knowledge test

Results

Communicating results of the knowledge test and next steps to applicants

For applicants who take the self-administered online test, they will be provided with an unofficial score when they submit their answers, but this is not considered final until their test proctoring has been completed. Applicants who received a passing grade online and do not receive follow up from IRCC have passed the knowledge requirement. If the applicant did not pass the test, the applicant will be contacted with a letter that explains the next steps, which may include a test, interview, and/or hearing.

At the end of a MS Teams or in person knowledge test sessions, the applicant will be informed of the results of their test. The applicant will be provided with the actual test score (no discussion regarding outcome per question). Providing test results allows the applicant to gauge their performance and prepare for their next attempt at the test, if applicable. Officials can explain available test accommodations, if applicable, or may provide the applicant information on the compassionate waiver process if they think it may apply. Offices should ensure applicants have a copy of the latest version of the guide to study in preparation for their next test and let applicants know that copies are available for download.

If officials encounter applicants with literacy issues, the applicants should be advised that the study guide is available via the IRCC website in e-book and audio versions. Local offices or applicants can order CDs by emailing [email protected]. Please see Citizenship: Accommodations for more information on alternative formats of the study guide.

If an applicant requires both a test and an interview in-person or via MS Teams, it is recommended that the knowledge test be administered as the first step and the program integrity interview (PII) process, including language screening, be conducted afterwards. Communicating the knowledge test results during the interview allows for all communication with the applicant to occur in one interaction and reduces stress of applicants waiting to take the test.

If the applicant passes the knowledge test

Inform the applicant they have passed the knowledge requirement for citizenship.
If all other requirements to grant citizenship have been met and the information is available, provide the applicant with the timelines for the ceremony.
Use the case notes tool to capture all results.

If the applicant fails the knowledge test

Provide the applicant with their knowledge test score.
If applicable, refer the applicant to where they can access a copy of the guide in different formats.
Inform the applicant of the number of opportunities they have remaining to pass the knowledge test.
Advise the applicant that if they fail the test after their remaining attempts, they will be scheduled for an oral knowledge hearing with a citizenship officer. Encourage the applicant to study to increase their chances of passing the test while informing them that wait times may be long for a hearing with an officer.
If one or more applicants are part of the file, inform the applicant that their file can be split to allow family members to proceed through the rest of the process rather than wait for the applicant to have a hearing with an officer. Families can make the choice between keeping the family files together and waiting for the remaining family members to be granted or having the file split as long as there are no concerns, such as security concerns, physical presence or residency issues, and/or permanent resident (PR) status issues that could affect the PR status of other family members. The applicant does not need to make the decision at this time and may contact IRCC afterward to make a request to split a group file.
If they do not appear for that appointment and IRCC does not receive an acceptable reason from them for not attending within 30 days from the date of the scheduled appointment, a second notice is provided to invite the applicant to a test. If they do not appear for the second appointment and IRCC does not receive an acceptable reason for the no show, abandonment procedures may begin, and only the right of citizenship fee will be refunded. They will need to submit a new application and any applicable fees in order to become a Canadian citizen.
Use the case notes tool to capture all results.

If applicants have already failed a test attempt and are taking the test again, a different test version must be used (for in-person and MS Teams tests). Test versions are tracked in GCMS case notes to ensure applicants receive a different version on future test attempts (if required). Offices are reminded to follow instructions on distribution of tests.

Knowledge testing attempts

Scheduling knowledge testing after first attempt

For self-administered online tests, all three attempts of the citizenship test can be accessed through a single invitation over a 30-day period.

For in person and MS Teams tests, applicants should be provided with enough time to study before they are scheduled for another attempt of the knowledge test. At the test session, the officer must ensure the test version is different from the test version the applicant received in their last attempt.

Local offices have the option of scheduling applicants for a knowledge test without valid clearances. Local offices must send the appropriate test invitation for the applicant’s circumstances and follow the usual procedures for administering a test.

If the applicant fails, the officer should provide the applicant with their score, and tell them the next steps that will occur.

If the applicant has failed the test twice: let them know they will be scheduled for their third test attempt. Also indicate if they fail their third attempt, they will be scheduled for an oral knowledge hearing with a citizenship officer.
If the applicant has failed the test three times, inform them they will be scheduled for an oral knowledge hearing with a citizenship officer.

For procedures on no-shows, see abandonment procedures.

Itinerant services

Self-administered online test and virtual (MS Teams) testing processes should be provided instead of in-person testing where appropriate. In the case where an applicant requires in-person testing for accommodation reasons, in-person itinerant services may be provided. Itinerant services are when IRCC officials travel to a region without a local office for the purpose of meeting with applicants in-person to process their file.

Itinerant services often occur for the purpose of ceremonies, but could also involve testing, interviews and/or hearings. When an applicant meets with a decision-maker for assessments to meet requirements and attends a ceremony, this is referred to as a one-pass session.

Offices may present the following options to applicants who do not pass the test during an itinerant service trip:

Option 1: If possible, invite the applicant to make their next test attempt via the self-administered online test or MS Teams.
Option 2: Wait until the itinerant service returns to that location for their next attempt.
Option 3: Request to be scheduled for a test at any IRCC office if they do not wish to wait for the next planned itinerant service offering. If an applicant indicates that they prefer to travel to a different IRCC office than the one performing itinerant services in that area and
1. is aware that they will be travelling to a location where there is a test at an IRCC office that has space for the applicant to attend the test, the official should accommodate the applicant; or
2. is unsure if they will travel to another IRCC office, the official should instruct the applicant to contact the Client Service Centre (CSC) if they choose to travel. Usually, a minimum notice of six weeks is required before a test appointment can be scheduled. The CSC will send the referral to the appropriate office for action.

The office receiving the referral will input case notes into GCMS documenting the applicant’s choice.

Note: Applicants must not be allowed to attempt the test more than once on the same day.

Language evidence for citizenship grants

Citizenship language requirements

Legislation and regulations

As one of the requirements for citizenship, applicants aged 18 to 54 under subsection 5(1) of the Act must meet the language requirement, as outlined in 5(1)(d).

5 (1) The Minister shall grant citizenship to any person who

(d) if 18 years of age or more but less than 55 years of age at the date of his or her application, has an adequate knowledge of one of the official languages of Canada;

Under the Citizenship Regulations, this is further clarified:

14 A person is considered to have an adequate knowledge of one of the official languages of Canada if they demonstrate that they have competence in basic communication in that language such that they are able to

(a) take part in short, routine conversations about everyday topics;
(b) understand simple instructions and directions;
(c) use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses, in oral communication; and
(d) use vocabulary that is adequate for routine oral communication.

Eligibility

In addition to age criterion, language requirements only apply to specific types of applications. Applicants aged 18 to 54 at the time of application who apply for citizenship under Adult 5(1) or Canadian Armed Forces are required to meet language requirements.

Applicants for citizenship under Minor 5(1), Minor 5(2), or Adoptions (citizenship) do not need to meet language requirements, even if they turn 18 after submitting their application. Applicants that are granted citizenship under 5(4) or 5(5) do not need to meet language requirements.

In some cases, applicants 18 to 54 at the time of application may qualify for a language waiver under subsection 5(3) of the Act due to compassionate grounds. If a language waiver is requested by an applicant, they should not be invited to any citizenship events to evaluate language requirements and language evidence should not be requested. Instead, they should be referred for assessment of the waiver request. For more information, see Citizenship: waivers on compassionate grounds. If the applicant is not approved for a language waiver, they will need to submit language proof (if possible) and may require further language assessment.

Proof of language ability

In order to apply for an adult grant of citizenship, applicants between 18 and 54 at the time of application must provide proof of language with their application. Neither the Act nor Regulations specify which type of documentation may be used for proof of language. Many formats are considered acceptable as long as they are:

Clear and legible;
Demonstrate that the applicant reached a level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French;
Provided as English or French documents or as documents in a different language with a verified translation in English or French.

CLB-4 is considered “Basic Proficiency” and means an individual can:

take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics
understand simple instructions, questions and directions
use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses and show that you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself

Acceptable proof of language can include:

Proof the applicant is attending or has completed a secondary or post-secondary program where the language of instruction was English or French (i.e., diploma, transcript, certificate).
Test results from a third party; these may be the results they provided with their permanent resident application (i.e., CELPIP, IELTS, TEF). For the purpose of citizenship, test results may be expired. For more information, please see Language test equivalency charts .
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) certificate that demonstrates CLB-4 or higher in speaking and listening.
Certificate or report card from some provincial language courses. For details, please see the website.
- Accepted provincial language evidence:
  - British Columbia: English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) certificate or report card with results at CLB 4 or higher;
  - Saskatchewan: Common Framework of Reference (CFR) Statement of Student Language Proficiency at level B1 or above;
  - Manitoba: A copy of the Manitoba Canadian Language Benchmark Report or Adult English as an Additional Language (EAL) student progress report from the Manitoba government with speaking and listening skills at CLB/NCLC level 4 or higher;
  - Nova Scotia: Proficiency in English Nova Scotia (PENS) learner certificate that shows speaking and listening skills at CLB 4 or higher;
  - Ontario: Certificates from December 2013 or later that show CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening in English as a Second Language (ESL), French as a Second Language (FSL), or Citizenship and Language Training (CL)
  - Quebec: A copy or results at level 4 or higher in speaking and listening from:
    - Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI^{Footnote *}):
      - “Bulletin” issued between June 1, 2011, and October 16, 2012
      - “Bulletin” issued after October 16, 2012
    - Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur (MEES):
      - "Relevé des apprentissages” in French training for “francisation à la formation générale des adultes”.
- Other evidence of language proficiency, if the evidence does not indicate the applicant’s speaking and listening ability is under the equivalent of a CLB-4.

Accepting language proof at intake to deem the application complete does not mean the language proof will be determined to meet the criteria for the language requirement during processing.

Exception: an adult applicant applying under 5(1) or Canadian Armed Forces between 18 and 54 at the time of application may not include language proof at the time of application if they are requesting a waiver of the language requirement. If the language waiver is refused, the applicant will need to meet the language requirement. See Waivers on compassionate grounds for more information.

Evaluating language proof

During processing of the citizenship application, decision-makers may determine they are unsatisfied with the language proof on file and want further information to ensure an applicant meets the language requirements.

The applicant can be invited to an interview to determine whether they are able to communicate at a CLB-4 level or higher. The decision-maker can use the Citizenship Language Screening Tool (CIT 0505) (CLST) to determine if further evaluation is warranted. If the officer is still concerned the applicant doesn’t meet language requirements, the applicant should be invited to a language hearing and the Language Assessment Tool (LAT) should be used to determine whether the applicant meets the language requirement for citizenship). For more information on language hearings, see Knowledge and language hearings.

Knowledge and language hearings

For applicants who are required to meet knowledge and language requirements for a grant of citizenship, a hearing may be required to determine whether they meet the language and/or knowledge requirement(s).

Guidelines and procedures

Purpose of knowledge and/or language hearing

If the applicant has failed all test attempts and/or if the citizenship official is not satisfied that the applicant meets level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmarks/Niveaux de compétence linguistiques canadiens (CLB/NCLC), the applicant will be scheduled for a language and/or knowledge hearing. The citizenship officer administers the oral knowledge test (hearing version) to determine whether the applicant meets the knowledge requirement and/or use the Language Assessment Tool (LAT) to determine whether the applicant meets the language requirement, as required.

If an applicant requests a 5(3) waiver for the requirements of knowledge and/or language at a hearing and has not previously requested a waiver or provides new evidence that was not considered in their previous waiver request, the file(s) will be transferred to the waiver request will be considered by a Level 2 waiver decision-maker.. Once a decision has been made on the waiver request, the application will revert to regular processing procedures. For more information, see Citizenship: waivers on compassionate grounds.

For information on hearings by citizenship officers other than those intended for language and knowledge, see instructions on interviews and hearings.

Security of documents: materials must be kept out of the public domain

All test-related materials are classified as Protected B material but should be handled as Secret documents, including:

all citizenship knowledge test versions (including hearing versions),
the exclusive pool of questions, and
the LAT.

Every effort must be made to protect the integrity of the documents used to assess language and knowledge requirements under the Act (i.e., material for in-person hearings must be locked at all times and cannot be circulated, and photocopies should be made on an as-needed basis only). Under no circumstances should the materials be left where they can be seen by the public.

At an in-person hearing, if citizenship officers must leave the interview room for any reason, all tests, files, and documents should be stored in a safe place that is not accessible to applicants or third parties present in the room. At all times, ensure that no language or knowledge test documents are taken out of the room by applicants.

Principles of natural justice and procedural fairness

Citizenship officers should keep in mind the principles of natural justice and should be reasonable and consistent when using their discretion to make a decision. Clear notes and answers should be recorded on the knowledge test document and the LAT in the Respondent’s answer or Applicant’s answer section to justify and explain all decisions if required (i.e., judicial review at the Federal Court).

Deaf applicants

For applicants who are deaf, in certain circumstances, a sign language interpreter may be used during the hearing or a waiver for language or knowledge may be requested.

For additional information on evaluating knowledge/language of deaf applicants or the use of interpreters, see Citizenship: Accommodations.

For information on waivers, please see Citizenship: waivers on compassionate grounds.

Mandatory hearing preamble

The hearing preamble must be read to the applicant and interpreter or representative, if applicable, before assessing the language requirement or administering the oral knowledge test. The preamble speaks to the confidential nature of both the LAT and the oral knowledge test. If an interpreter or representative is present, they are only permitted to stay for the preamble and not the actual assessment of language and/or knowledge, unless it is a sign language interpreter or an accompanying person who is needed by an applicant with a disability.

Administering and marking the knowledge hearing

The oral knowledge test has 20 questions.
Citizenship officers should not ask more than 20 questions during a hearing.
Each applicant must obtain a minimum score of 15 out of 20 to pass the test, and the score must be recorded on the test.
The hearing is typically allotted the same amount of time as a test; 45 minutes. For reasons of accommodation, additional time may be provided to allow the applicant to complete the hearing. Additional time as an accommodation is typically a total of 90 minutes, though there is flexibility. For more information on additional test time as an accommodation, please see Citizenship: Accommodations.
Citizenship officers must indicate on the test all answers provided by the applicant (i.e., correct and incorrect answers).
If the applicant does not provide an answer to any given question, citizenship officers must indicate this by ticking the box “No answer provided”.
For each question, a correct answer is worth one mark and an incorrect answer is worth zero marks.
No signal should be given to the applicant indicating if the applicant’s answer was correct or incorrect to any of the questions.
The applicant has the opportunity to go back to their answers and change them during the hearing.

If the oral test or LAT is compromised

Should a problem or situation be identified that could potentially compromise the LAT or the oral citizenship knowledge test versions, citizenship officers must immediately notify the local office management who will then notify Citizenship Operations as soon as they become aware of the incident. This is to allow the Department to take the appropriate action (e.g., an oral test [hearing version] was left unattended with an applicant or an applicant left with a copy of the oral knowledge test or the LAT).

Assessment of any other requirements under the Citizenship Act

Citizenship officers have the authority to assess any of the requirements for citizenship, even those not part of the scheduled hearing if they have doubts whether the applicant meets the requirement. In order to ensure procedural fairness, in situations where an officer has concerns as to whether an applicant satisfies one of the other requirements, these concerns should be clearly raised with the applicant, and the applicant should be provided with an opportunity to respond at and/or after the hearing through additional documents (if applicable), depending on the requirement. For the physical presence requirement, the application must be referred to a citizenship judge for further determination if the citizenship officer is unable to render a positive decision. See the instructions on physical presence requirements.

Note: If the applicant has not met one requirement, it is not necessary to assess the other requirements, as their application can be refused on one criterion.

Administering the citizenship language assessment

General guidelines

The language assessment must be conducted in the applicant’s official language of choice (English or French). The LAT used during the evaluation should be in the same language as the applicant’s official language of choice.
Applicants are required to pass a minimum of six questions.
The officer can ask up to nine questions.
The officer should not ask more than nine questions during a language hearing.
For each question, an applicant who answers sufficiently (i.e., the response meets the criteria) gets one mark. No partial marks may be given.
If the applicant answers insufficiently to meet the criteria, they obtain zero points for that question.
Each applicant must obtain a total score of six to demonstrate they meet the language requirement; as soon as the applicant receives a score of six (within nine questions maximum), the officer does not need to proceed further with the assessment.
For each question, citizenship officers write down the applicant’s responses using the exact words of the applicant (i.e., verbatim).
Citizenship officers must indicate on the LAT all answers provided by the applicant (i.e., correct and incorrect answers).
If the applicant does not provide an answer to any given question, citizenship officers must indicate this by ticking the box “No answer provided”.
No signal should be given to the applicant indicating if the applicant’s answer to any of the questions was sufficient to meet the criteria for that answer.
The applicant has the opportunity to go back to their answers and change them and/or elaborate on their responses during the hearing.

Pre-November 2012 version of the LAT (dated March 15, 2012)

This version must be used to assess applicants who filed their application before November 1, 2012. Five language criteria are taken into consideration (see page 4 of the LAT). From these, one is assessed twice (i.e., criteria c: Use adequate vocabulary to talk about everyday things). Two questions are asked for these two criteria to provide applicants with the opportunity to demonstrate that they meet this criterion. Applicants must pass each of the language criteria to demonstrate that they meet the language requirement.

November 2012 version of the LAT (dated November 1, 2012)

This version must be used to assess applicants who filed their application on or after November 1, 2012. Four criteria are assessed (see page 4 of the LAT). From these, two are assessed twice (i.e., criteria a: Take part in short, routine conversations about everyday topics and criteria d: Use vocabulary that is adequate for routine oral communication). Two questions are asked for these two criteria to provide applicants with the opportunity to demonstrate that they meet these criteria.

Use of interpreters

A language interpreter can be present at the beginning of the language or knowledge hearing when the officer is explaining the purpose of the assessment (preamble) but is not permitted to stay during the language assessment and/or knowledge test at the hearing. Following the language assessment and/or knowledge test, the language interpreter can be called back into the interview room to explain what happens next in the process.

Exception: For applications received prior to June 11, 2015, applicants are permitted to use an interpreter during the knowledge test, if necessary.

The use of sign language interpreters for deaf applicants is permitted when administering the language or knowledge hearing for signing the test questions to deaf applicants in American Sign Language (ASL) or Quebec Sign Language (LSQ). The use of an intervener (person who interprets to assist deaf and blind people) is also permitted.

Note: Interpreters are permitted to accompany an applicant during a hearing to assess any of the other citizenship requirements, such as the residence requirement. For more information on interpreters, see Citizenship Accommodations.

Concerns with an interpreter

In conducting hearings, citizenship officers have the discretion to halt or stop the hearing if:

they feel the interpreter is not providing a faithful interpretation of the questions to the applicant;
they feel the interpreter is not providing a faithful interpretation of the answers provided by the applicant; and/or
they have concerns about the interpreter’s language ability

In the case of concerns regarding the interpreter’s language ability, the Language Assessment Tool for Interpreters (LATI) must be used to determine if the interpreter’s language ability is sufficient. If the LATI is passed and the this was the only concern, the hearing may continue. If the LATI results were insufficient and/or there is concern about a lack of faithful interpretation on behalf of the interpreter, the hearing will be rescheduled, and the applicant will be directed to provide a different interpreter. Refer to General guidelines for information on when interpreters are permitted. For more detailed information on interpreters, see the Persons acting as interpreters section of Citizenship Accommodations.