Canadian Citizenship Oral Hearing 2026: What to Expect If You Fail Twice

# Canadian Citizenship Oral Hearing — What to Expect If You Fail Twice

The oral hearing is the third and final stage of the Canadian citizenship knowledge process. It is reached only by candidates who have already failed the written or online test twice, and it replaces a hypothetical third written attempt.

This guide explains exactly what the hearing looks like in 2026 — who runs it, what is asked, how it is scored, and how to prepare in the 4–6 months you typically have before yours is scheduled.

IRCC reasons that if a candidate has scored under 75% twice on the same multiple-choice format, repeating that format a third time will not produce useful evidence. A spoken interview lets the officer judge whether the candidate actually knows the material and can communicate that knowledge in English or French — the two requirements bundled into one assessment.

It is also used for cases where the written test was passed but the language requirement is in doubt, or where the file has flagged inconsistencies that need direct clarification.

Since the 2020 shift online, most oral hearings are held by video call — either Zoom or Microsoft Teams, depending on which IRCC office is handling your file. A small number are still held in person at the local IRCC citizenship office, particularly in smaller cities.

Either way, the hearing usually:

• Lasts 30–45 minutes — sometimes shorter if the officer is satisfied early
• Has one officer asking questions, plus a second person taking notes
• Is recorded for IRCC's internal records
• Requires you to be alone in a quiet room with your camera and microphone on

Questions come from the same source as the written test — the Discover Canada study guide. The officer is not allowed to invent questions outside that material. The asking style, however, is much more flexible:

• Multiple-choice format is dropped — you answer in your own words
• The officer can ask follow-up questions ("can you explain why?") to test understanding, not just memorisation
• The officer can rephrase a question if you do not understand
• The officer can give limited hints, especially on names and dates

Typical question areas: federal government structure, rights and responsibilities, history (Confederation, the World Wars, Indigenous peoples), and your province (capital, premier, key economy).

There is no fixed pass mark. Instead the officer makes a holistic recommendation based on:

1. Knowledge — did you demonstrate familiarity with the Discover Canada material across multiple chapters?
2. Language — can you understand and respond in English or French at CLB Level 4 or above?
3. Credibility — are your answers consistent and your demeanour cooperative?

The officer then writes a recommendation: approval, refusal, or further information requested. The final decision rests with IRCC.

This is the single most important window of your application. Use it.

• Re-read Discover Canada twice, paying special attention to the chapters you scored lowest on in the written tests. Pay particular attention to names of leaders, dates of confederation, the parliamentary system, and the rights of citizens.
• Practice answering questions aloud, not just on screen. Record yourself, listen back, and check that you can explain ideas in full sentences in your own words.
• Take a CLB Level 4 listening practice test if your spoken English or French is shaky. The hearing is a listening test as well as a knowledge test.
• Find a study partner — ideally a fluent English- or French-speaker — and have them quiz you verbally with no notes. The mental shift from clicking answers to speaking them is the biggest reason candidates underperform at hearings.
• Take a [free Canadian citizenship practice test](/practice-test) one week before to confirm content mastery, then do verbal practice in the final week.

• Test your video and audio 30 minutes before the appointment
• Have a glass of water and a pen on the desk; have nothing else (no books, no phone within reach)
• Sit upright, well-lit, with the camera at eye level
• If you do not understand a question, ask the officer politely to rephrase — this is allowed
• Stay calm if you do not know an answer. Saying "I am not sure, I would need to review that" is better than guessing wildly
• Keep answers concise. The officer is timing the hearing and prefers short, accurate answers over long, rambling ones

You will not get a result on the call. IRCC sends a written decision usually within 4–8 weeks. Possible outcomes:

• Approval — you are scheduled for the oath ceremony soon after
• Refusal — your application is rejected; PR status is unaffected; you can re-apply later
• Further information — IRCC requests more documents or clarification before deciding

For more on what happens after a fail, read [What Happens After You Fail the Canadian Citizenship Test](/blog/failed-canadian-citizenship-test-what-happens-next).