The processing time for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate has risen to 25 months as of 10 August 2026, up from 19 months in July and 12 months in May. The backlog at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now exceeds 121,800 pending applications, a 22 % increase (about 22,300 more) since July and the first time the queue has passed the 100 000 mark.
Why the surge?
- Citizenship‑by‑descent rule change – On 15 December 2025 Canada eliminated the first‑generation limit, allowing anyone born before that date with an unbroken line to a Canadian ancestor to claim citizenship, regardless of how many generations separate them.
- The change opened the door for millions of Americans, particularly in New England where large French‑Canadian communities settled between 1840 and 1930.
- In January 2026 the estimated processing time was only 10 months; the influx of new applications since then has driven the estimate upward.
Additional delay from a certificate review
- In June 2026 IRCC emailed recent U.S. recipients of citizenship certificates, placing their approved claims under review.
- The department paused finalizing new citizenship‑by‑descent applications for a month while it verified documentation on already‑issued certificates.
- The review was completed on 30 June 2026, after which processing resumed, but the pause added to the growing backlog.
Should applicants wait?
- The current queue of over 121 000 means a realistic decision time is well beyond two years.
- IRCC’s estimate is based on the number of applications ahead of a file at submission, staffing levels, and expected new volumes. Delaying an application is likely to place the file further back in an already expanding queue, not ahead of it.
Who is eligible?
- Anyone born before 15 December 2025 who can trace ancestry to a Canadian grandparent, great‑grandparent, or more distant ancestor is automatically a Canadian citizen, regardless of birthplace or whether their parents or grandparents ever lived in Canada.
- Thousands of Americans have begun applying for a Canadian citizenship certificate to confirm this status and obtain related benefits such as a Canadian passport.
Practical considerations
- Expect a wait of 25 months or longer for a decision.
- Submit the application promptly if you meet the ancestry criteria; postponing will not shorten the processing time.
- Ensure all supporting documentation is complete to avoid additional delays during the review phase.
Applicants uncertain about eligibility should verify their ancestry against the citizenship‑by‑descent criteria before filing.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
