Welcome to the Guberman // Appleby Immigration Update. We hope you find the information provided relevant to your immigration needs. Our objective is to highlight recent updates in immigration that are of interest to our readers. If you have questions about how these changes impact you, we invite you to contact our Canadian immigration lawyers for tailored guidance.
Today’s topic:
Continually Increasing Backlog for Applications for Canadian Citizenship by Descent
Prior to the coming into force of Bill C-3 An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act on December 15, 2025, applications for Proof of Citizenship by Descent (while only applicable to people with a Canadian parent) typically took nine months for processing. As a result of the changes to the Citizenship Act, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of applications that Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are receiving and a corresponding spike in processing times. In August 2026, IRCC revised its processing times for applying for Proof of Citizenship yet again. The most recent change is from 19 months to 25 months. Applicants who apply for Proof of Citizenship today can expect to wait over two years before they receive a decision on their application.
When Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025) came into force on December 15, 2025, citizenship by descent suddenly became available to a significant number of people if they could demonstrate that they had a Canadian born ancestor. This has opened the door to potentially millions of people around the work who have a claim to Canadian citizenship. Specifically, many in the US have taken notice.
More than 120,000 proof of citizenship applications are currently awaiting a decision pushing processing times up to 25-months. Concurrently, the Canadian government has implemented significant workforce reductions at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The combination of high demand for these applications and limited processing capacity has caused processing times for Proof of Citizenship applications to continue rising. As recently as July 2026, the government listed the processing time at 19 months, indicating that applications are being received far faster than they can be processed. This trend is concerning those still gathering the documents needed to apply. Given how quickly processing times are increasing, it is reasonable to expect further delays, potentially evolving to exceed three years.
IRCC processing is also not the only hurdle facing those who are interested in making an application for Canadian citizenship by descent. Given that many people qualify based on Canadian ancestors dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, applicants must conduct substantial genealogical research to demonstrate their lineage. The result is that many official historical databases, vital statistic services and genealogists are overwhelmed by the demand for certified documents such as birth certificates and baptismal records. For example, the archives of Ontario and Quebec are both now advising applicants applying today that they may be waiting several months before the Archive can certify requested documents.
While most applicants will need to wait the entire processing time before expecting a decision there is a notable exception. IRCC may respond to a request for urgent processing if there is a pressing reason why an individual requires proof of citizenship. Examples for consideration include acceptance to a Canadian post-secondary institute, a Canadian job offer, or the risk of persecution or harm in one’s home country.
While the lengthy processing times may lead some to rush the preparation and submission of their applications, ensuring that an application is correctly, completely and carefully prepared remains essential to approval. Applicants should be careful not to submit incomplete applications, only to wait several years only to learn their application refused. If you are thinking of filing an application for Canadian citizenship by descent, you may wish to reach out to one of the lawyers at Guberman // Appleby Immigration Lawyers to discuss your line of decent and the supporting documents you have gathered.
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We welcome you to contact us directly to discuss the above. Please contact one of our Toronto immigration lawyers, by reaching out to our general line 416 548 7100 or via email info@gaimmlaw.com. Our immigration lawyers are always available to discuss any of your specific Canadian or US immigration queries either virtually or in person. We look forward to hearing from you.
