Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the completion of the review of approximately 6,500 applications for citizenship by descent under Bill C-3.

The department has stated that the processing of these pending applications is set to resume in the coming days.

Addressing Application Issues

During the review process, IRCC identified discrepancies in the instructions provided for acceptable documentation, resulting in some citizenship certificates being flagged for potentially insufficient supporting evidence.

Out of the 100 certificates affected, 33 have been reinstated after confirming entitlement, while the remaining 67 are still under review. IRCC assures that these applicants will either be reinstated or contacted for additional information promptly.

Clarifications and Concerns

Immigration lawyers have expressed concerns about the fairness of requesting applicants to surrender certificates issued based on unclear guidelines. The issue of legitimate expectation, where applicants can rely on published guidance, may be subject to legal scrutiny in the future.

Future Implications

Continued Eligibility: The eligibility criteria established by Bill C-3 for Canadian citizenship through descent remains unchanged.

Enhanced Documentation Standards: IRCC has raised the bar for the documentation required for citizenship applications. Applicants are advised to provide comprehensive evidence to avoid any discrepancies.