Proof of Canadian Citizenship Now Takes 25 Months

Introduction

The wait for a Proof of Canadian Citizenship certificate has increased sharply. As of August 10, 2026, applicants may have to wait around 25 months for their application to be processed.

This is a major increase compared with previous months. In July, the estimated processing time was 19 months, while in May, it was only 12 months. In other words, the waiting time has more than doubled in just three months.

Over 121,000 Applications Are Waiting

At the same time, the number of people waiting for a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also increased significantly.

As of August 10, around 121,800 applications were waiting for a decision. This is approximately 22,300 more applications than in July, representing a 22% increase in just one month.

Therefore, both the processing time and the number of applications in the queue are continuing to rise.

Why Has the Processing Time Increased?

One of the main reasons behind this increase is a change in Canada’s citizenship-by-descent rules.

On December 15, 2025, Canada removed the previous first-generation limit for citizenship by descent.

As a result, people who can prove an unbroken connection to a Canadian ancestor may now qualify for Canadian citizenship, even if that ancestor is several generations back.

For example, someone may potentially qualify through a Canadian grandparent, great-grandparent, or an even more distant Canadian ancestor, depending on their family history and the requirements under the new rules.

A Large Number of New Applications

Because of this rule change, many more people became eligible to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship.

In particular, a large number of applications have come from Americans with Canadian ancestry. This has been especially noticeable in areas such as New England, where many French Canadians settled between 1840 and 1930.

Consequently, IRCC has received a much larger number of applications.

For comparison, the processing time was around 10 months in January 2026. Since then, the growing number of applications has caused the estimated waiting period to increase steadily.

Another Review May Have Added to the Delay

In addition to the growing number of applications, another issue may have contributed to the longer processing time.

In June 2026, IRCC contacted some people in the United States who had recently received Canadian citizenship certificates. Their applications were selected for a review to verify the information and documents used to approve their citizenship claims.

As a result, IRCC temporarily paused the finalization of some new citizenship-by-descent applications while it reviewed previously issued certificates.

The review was completed on June 30, 2026, and processing has since resumed.

However, this review happened while IRCC was already dealing with a growing number of applications. Therefore, it may have added further pressure to an already busy system.

Should You Wait Before Applying?

With more than 121,000 applications already in the queue, it may seem tempting to wait before applying.

However, waiting may not necessarily lead to a shorter processing time.

IRCC’s processing estimate depends on several factors, including:

• The number of applications already waiting.
• Available staff and resources.
• The expected number of new applications.
• How quickly IRCC can process existing files.

Therefore, delaying an eligible application could actually mean joining an even longer queue later.

If you are eligible, it may be better to understand your options and apply with the required documents rather than simply waiting for processing times to decrease.

Could You Already Be a Canadian Citizen?

The recent rule changes may be important for people with Canadian ancestry.

If you were born before December 15, 2025 and have a Canadian parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or another qualifying Canadian ancestor, you may already have Canadian citizenship.

Importantly, your place of birth does not automatically prevent you from qualifying. Your Canadian ancestor also does not necessarily need to have lived in Canada recently or held a Canadian passport.

However, eligibility depends on your specific family history and the requirements under Canada’s citizenship rules.

What Is a Proof of Canadian Citizenship Certificate?

If you are already a Canadian citizen but were born outside Canada, you may need a Canadian citizenship certificate to officially prove your citizenship status.

The certificate can then help you access the rights and benefits associated with Canadian citizenship, including applying for a Canadian passport.

Because processing times are currently very long, understanding your eligibility and preparing the correct documents is more important than ever.

Final Thoughts

The increase to a 25-month processing time shows how significantly demand for proof of Canadian citizenship has grown in 2026.

The removal of the first-generation limit has opened a pathway for many people with Canadian ancestry. However, the sudden increase in applications has also placed additional pressure on IRCC.

Therefore, if you believe you may qualify for Canadian citizenship through your family history, it is worth checking your eligibility and understanding the application requirements before deciding whether to wait.

If you’re unsure whether your Canadian ancestry could make you eligible, professional guidance can help you understand your options and avoid unnecessary delays.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).