Canada’s proof of citizenship queue has grown sharply since the expansion of citizenship by descent rules, pushing the wait time for citizenship certificates to 15 months as of June 2026.
As of June 2026, people applying for proof of Canadian citizenship by descent face an estimated 15-month wait for their citizenship certificate. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has roughly 82,000 applications in the queue.
The backlog has grown quickly. On May 12, 2026, the queue stood at 70,400 applications. In less than a month, about 11,600 more people joined the line.
Because IRCC bases processing time estimates on the number of applications already waiting, the delay may continue to grow if more people keep applying.
Since Canada expanded citizenship eligibility in December 2025, processing times for proof of citizenship certificates have increased from 9 months to 15 months, while the application queue has more than doubled.
Should Applicants Wait?
IRCC says an application received in June 2026 will take about 15 months to process. That points to a decision around September 2027.
The article argues that waiting may not reduce the delay. Since the passage of Bill C-3, wait times have increased month over month. Someone applying now enters the queue behind roughly 82,000 other applicants, and current trends suggest the queue may continue growing.
Why Applications Increased
On December 15, 2025, Canada changed its Citizenship Act by removing the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent for people born before that date.
Under the new law, qualifying people are already Canadian citizens. They are not applying to become citizens; they are applying for the document that proves their citizenship so they can obtain a Canadian passport and exercise citizenship rights.
Anyone born before December 15, 2025 who can trace a continuous line of descent from a Canadian ancestor can apply for proof of Canadian citizenship. This can include U.S. citizens whose families have lived entirely in the United States for four or more generations.
Many Americans have taken interest in the change, often as a way to obtain a second passport rather than because they plan to move to Canada.
Once they receive a citizenship certificate, U.S.-Canadian dual citizens can apply for a Canadian passport. The article states that the Canadian passport ranks seventh in the world and offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 countries.
Canadian citizens can also:
- Live and work anywhere in Canada
- Buy residential real estate
- Access publicly funded healthcare if they take up residence
The article also notes that Canada does not tax citizens on worldwide income in the same way as the United States, so proof of Canadian citizenship does not create new income tax obligations by itself.
How IRCC Calculates the Wait Time
IRCC uses a forward-looking method to estimate processing times.
The estimate reflects:
- How many applications are already in the queue
- How many staff are available to process them
- How many new applications IRCC expects to receive
Processing time begins when IRCC receives a complete application and ends when it makes a decision.
For online applications, the clock starts when the application is submitted. For mail applications, it starts when the application reaches the mailroom.
IRCC updates the estimate monthly. The estimate can go up or down depending on the queue and staffing levels, but projections do not account for sharp spikes in new applications.
What Can Delay an Application
The 15-month estimate applies to routine applications. Cases may take longer if IRCC considers them complex or non-routine.
Possible causes of delay include:
- IRCC requesting additional documents, such as residence documents
- A missed test, interview, or hearing
- Criminal, security, or other admissibility issues
A complete and well-prepared application is described as the best way to avoid these avoidable delays.
Who May Already Be a Canadian Citizen
Following Bill C-3, anyone born before December 15, 2025 who can trace a continuous line of descent from a Canadian ancestor may qualify as a Canadian citizen, regardless of how many generations have passed.
The article states that it does not matter where the person was born, or whether their parents or grandparents ever lived in Canada or held Canadian passports.
People unsure whether they qualify can begin by reviewing their family tree, speaking with relatives, and gathering family records.
Documents that may help establish descent include:
- Birth certificates
- Baptismal records
- Marriage records
- Death certificates
The key issue is that proof of citizenship is now facing a growing backlog. People who qualify under the expanded citizenship-by-descent rules may already be Canadian citizens, but they still need the certificate before they can obtain a Canadian passport or fully prove that status.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
