Eligible students planning to study in Canada can now request urgent processing of their proof‑of‑citizenship applications, giving them a chance to receive a citizenship certificate before the start of a semester.
Background
- On 15 December 2025, Bill C‑3 removed the first‑generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent, allowing people with a Canadian parent or grandparent born before that date to claim citizenship.
- The change triggered a surge in proof‑of‑citizenship applications, especially from the United States.
- Processing times for these applications have risen to about 25 months as of August 2026, far longer than most applicants expected.
Urgent processing for education
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) maintains an “urgent processing” stream for a limited set of situations, including when a citizenship certificate is needed for education. To be considered, applicants must:
- Submit a cover letter requesting urgent processing and citing the education scenario.
- Include a letter explaining why the certificate is needed for their studies.
- Provide proof of enrollment in a Canadian institution, such as an acceptance letter and a tuition summary.
These documents must accompany the complete proof‑of‑citizenship application package. An IRCC officer will assess the request, but the department does not guarantee that the certificate will be issued in time for the semester.
Tuition implications
- Canadian citizens are generally charged domestic tuition rates, which can be thousands of dollars cheaper than international fees.
- Some provinces (e.g., Quebec) still apply a higher “non‑resident” rate to citizens who are not residents of the province, though this rate remains lower than the international fee.
- Universities require a citizenship certificate on file before they can apply the domestic rate. If the certificate is not received before registration, students may have to pay the international rate for that term and request a rate adjustment later.
Other qualifying reasons for urgent processing
Beyond education, IRCC may expedite a proof‑of‑citizenship certificate for:
- Risk of harm or hardship linked to race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or group membership
- Bringing a minor child with a Canadian parent to Canada
- Resolving statelessness
- Travel due to a death or serious illness in the family
- Meeting a deadline to renounce foreign citizenship
- Starting or retaining employment
- Accessing social benefits, including health care
Each request is evaluated individually, and incomplete applications are not processed, urgent or otherwise.
Additional benefits of Canadian citizenship by descent
- Dual citizenship with the United States is permitted, so acquiring Canadian citizenship does not require renouncing U.S. citizenship.
- Citizens can work unlimited hours while studying, unlike international students whose off‑campus work is limited to 24 hours per week.
- Citizenship grants access to International Experience Canada, allowing eligible individuals (typically under 30, sometimes up to 35) to live and work abroad in over 35 countries.
Practical steps for applicants
- Verify eligibility for citizenship by descent (e.g., Canadian parent or grandparent born before 15 December 2025).
- Gather required documentation linking you to the Canadian ancestor (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.).
- Complete the proof‑of‑citizenship application form and obtain the necessary identity documents and photos.
- Pay the applicable fees and submit the full application package to IRCC.
- If you need the certificate for study, include the urgent‑processing documentation outlined above.
Applicants should check with their prospective institution about tuition classification and be prepared for the possibility that the certificate may not arrive before the semester starts.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
