Canada has sharply increased the estimated processing time for new citizenship certificate applications, with applicants now facing a wait of up to 33 months, or nearly three years, for a decision.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the latest processing estimate increased by eight months from 25 months in August. Applicants submitting their applications now could potentially wait until around mid-2029 for a decision.
The processing time has risen significantly throughout 2026. It stood at 10 months in January, increasing to 12 months in May, 15 months in June, 19 months in July, and 25 months in August. The jump to 33 months represents the largest monthly increase during this period.
The extended processing time comes as IRCC faces a backlog of approximately 136,000 citizenship certificate applications awaiting decisions. Around 14,200 applications were reportedly added to the queue in less than a month.
The increase in applications follows Canada’s removal of the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent on December 15, 2025. The policy change expanded eligibility for people born outside Canada who can establish an unbroken line of descent to a Canadian citizen ancestor.
IRCC calculates processing-time estimates based on factors including the number of applications already in the queue, available staffing levels, and the expected number of new applications.
Applicants could face additional delays if IRCC requests further documents or clarification. Cases involving differences in names or records across multiple generations may require additional review.
Some applicants may qualify for urgent processing of their citizenship certificate applications.
IRCC may consider urgent requests when applicants need proof of citizenship for reasons including education, employment, certain travel emergencies, statelessness, relocating a minor child to Canada, or accessing social benefits.
Students may also request urgent processing if proof of Canadian citizenship is required for admission to a school, college, or university.
However, applicants must satisfy IRCC’s eligibility requirements for urgent processing. Expedited processing also does not guarantee that an applicant’s citizenship claim will ultimately be approved.
