Canada’s Proof of Citizenship Processing Time Rises to 19 Months Amid Growing Application Backlog

The processing time for proof of Canadian citizenship has increased to 19 months as of July 7, according to updated figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This represents a significant rise from the 15-month estimate reported in June, and is accompanied by a growing application queue that now stands at 99,500 individuals awaiting decisions. The backlog increased by approximately 17,500 applicants within a single month.

The surge in both application volume and processing times follows a major policy shift in December 2025, when Canada removed the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent for those born before that date. This legislative change, enacted through Bill C-3, expanded eligibility to anyone able to trace an unbroken line of descent to a Canadian ancestor, irrespective of the number of generations. The measure has had particular impact among Americans, especially in regions such as New England, where large populations are descended from French Canadians who migrated between 1840 and 1930.

Prior to the change, as recently as May, the number of pending applications stood at 70,400 with a 12-month processing time. By June, this had increased to 82,000 applications and a 15-month wait. The current near-100,000 applicant figure reflects exponential growth since the policy shift. IRCC’s forward-looking method for calculating processing times factors in current application volume, staffing levels, and anticipated future intake. As such, the estimate is subject to monthly adjustment and is sensitive to application surges.

A secondary factor influencing the July increase was IRCC’s review of proof of Canadian citizenship certificates issued under the new eligibility regime. In June, the department paused finalization of new citizenship-by-descent cases to review approximately 6,500 certificates already issued under Bill C-3, with the aim of verifying the sufficiency of supporting documentation. This review concluded on June 30. Of the certificates examined, 100 were flagged for potentially insufficient documentation. Upon further examination, 33 were reinstated after evidence was confirmed, while the remaining 67, representing about one percent of certificates issued under the new law, are still being resolved. IRCC indicated that these applicants would either be reinstated or contacted within days. The certificate review process, which overlapped with a rising caseload, is cited as a contributing factor to the increased processing time in July.

Applications submitted as of July 2026 are placed at the end of a queue approaching 100,000, with wait times likely extending into February 2028. IRCC suggests that delays in application are unlikely to result in shorter waits, as the queue is expected to grow in the foreseeable future and the processing time calculation is based on the volume of applications ahead in line.

In June, IRCC updated its guidance regarding acceptable supporting documentation for proof of citizenship applications. The department now specifies that documents establishing a line of descent must originate from the original source authority. Applicants currently preparing their packages are advised to incorporate this updated requirement to avoid further delays.

The distinction between legal status and documentation is relevant: individuals who qualify as Canadian citizens through ancestry are citizens by law, but a proof of citizenship certificate is required to confirm status and to access services such as applying for a Canadian passport.

The expanded eligibility for citizenship by descent has led to a marked increase in demand, particularly from foreign nationals who can now claim Canadian citizenship through distant ancestors. The phenomenon is notable in the United States, where demographics indicate millions of people may be eligible.

IRCC’s monthly processing time tool remains subject to change, reflecting fluctuations in application volume and departmental resources. The recent surge has introduced new pressures on the system, with both the certificate review and legislative expansion cited as causal factors.

The government has not indicated a timeline for reducing the backlog, but has stated that finalization of paused applications should resume shortly following the completion of the certificate review. The ongoing increase in applications and associated wait times underscore the impact of legislative changes on administrative processing within the Canadian immigration system.