Citizenship certificate processing time has reached an estimated 33 months, with more than 136,000 applications awaiting a decision, CBC reported, citing figures posted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The reported wait is up 32 per cent since IRCC’s previous update on Aug. 10.
Backlog rises after Bill C-3 took effect
CBC reported that the number of pending citizenship certificate applications rose 11 per cent from the previous update. In May 2025, before Bill C-3 took effect, the estimated processing time for these applications was five months.
Before Bill C-3, citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born or adopted outside Canada to a Canadian citizen. CBC reported that the legislation, which took effect on Dec. 15, allows people abroad who can trace their lineage to Canadian ancestors to qualify for citizenship, including where the ancestor left Canada several generations earlier.
The report said demand for records needed to document lineage has increased, with some applicants seeking documents connected to ancestors from seven or eight generations ago.
IRCC cites volume and complex applications
An IRCC spokesperson told CBC that the increase reflects a range of factors, rather than Bill C-3 alone. The department said it is monitoring application trends and volumes and is using measures including application triage, improved intake processes, staff training and onboarding, and workload-management changes.
According to the spokesperson, processing times can vary. The 33-month estimate reflects higher application volumes and the complexity of many files, which can require substantial documentary evidence and further verification.
IRCC data show many new citizens were born in the U.S.
CBC reported that, as of May 31, half of people recognized as Canadian citizens under Bill C-3 were born in the United States.
IRCC data cited by CBC show that 32,580 citizenship certificates were granted between Dec. 15 and June across all categories, including Bill C-3 cases, first-generation applications and replacement certificates. Of those recipients, 16,250 were male, 16,285 were female, 45 listed their gender as other and 55 had an unknown gender.
The figures also showed 2,880 recipients were aged 14 to 17, while 9,670 were between 18 and 54.
Source: cbc.ca