New Canadian Citizen? Here's Your 90-Day Checklist for Passport, Voting, SIN, and More

New Canadian Citizen? Here's Your 90-Day Checklist for Passport, Voting, SIN, and More

Key impact: If you've just become a Canadian citizen in 2026, you now have full rights to vote, travel with a Canadian passport, and access government benefits. But you need to act fast. Missing these steps in your first 90 days could delay your passport, block your vote, or interrupt your benefits.

What You Need to Do in Your First 90 Days

1. Apply for Your Canadian Passport

Your citizenship certificate is not a travel document. You need a Canadian passport to leave and re-enter the country.

• Cost: Adult 5-year passport: $160. Adult 10-year passport: $260.
• Processing time: 10 to 20 business days.
• Where to apply: In person at a Service Canada office. This is faster than mailing it in.
• What to bring: Your citizenship certificate, two passport photos, and a completed application form.

Tip: Apply as soon as you get your citizenship certificate. Don't wait until you have travel plans.

2. Register to Vote

You can now vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections. But you are not automatically registered.

• How to register: Online at elections.ca. You will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, and current address.
• Deadline: You can register anytime, but do it now so you're ready for the next election.
• Why it matters: If you don't register, you cannot vote. Your voice matters in choosing your government.

3. Update Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Your old SIN may have an expiry date because you were a permanent resident. As a citizen, your SIN should have no expiry.

• Where to go: Any Service Canada office.
• What to bring: Your citizenship certificate and a piece of government-issued ID.
• What happens: Service Canada will update your SIN record and remove the expiry date. You keep the same nine-digit number.

Why it matters: An expired SIN can stop you from working, accessing benefits, or filing taxes.

4. Notify the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Your tax profile needs to reflect your new citizenship status.

• How to update: Online through your CRA My Account, or by phone.
• What to change: Your residency status and any other personal details.
• Why it matters: This ensures you receive the correct benefits, like the Canada Child Benefit or GST/HST credit.

What You Should Do

Here is your step-by-step checklist for the first 90 days:

1. Week 1: Apply for your passport at a Service Canada office.
2. Week 2: Register to vote at elections.ca.
3. Week 3: Visit Service Canada to update your SIN.
4. Week 4: Update your CRA profile online.
5. Also do: Update your provincial health insurance, driver's license, and bank records.

Don't forget: These extra steps are important too:

• Provincial health card: Your old coverage may expire. Apply for a new one.
• Driver's license: Update your address and status.
• Bank accounts: Notify your bank of your citizenship change.

Who Is Affected

This checklist applies to all new Canadian citizens who have completed their citizenship ceremony. If you received your citizenship certificate in 2026, you are affected.

Not affected: Permanent residents, temporary residents, or people who have not yet had their citizenship ceremony.

Bottom Line

Becoming a Canadian citizen gives you new rights and responsibilities. But you must take action within your first 90 days to fully enjoy them. Apply for your passport, register to vote, update your SIN, and notify the CRA. Do it now to avoid delays in travel, benefits, or voting.

Source: citizenpass.ca/after-citizenship