As of August 10, the processing time for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate has reached 25 months, a significant increase from the previous estimate of 19 months in July.

Previously, in May, the processing time was 12 months, indicating a doubling of the wait time in just three months. The number of applicants awaiting decisions from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 121,800 by August 10.

Reasons Behind the Surge

The surge in applications can be attributed to Canada’s removal of the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent in December 2025. This change allows individuals with a direct line to a Canadian ancestor to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship, regardless of the number of generations in between.

This shift has particularly impacted Americans with Canadian ancestry, especially in regions like New England, where a significant number of French Canadians settled in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Additionally, a review of citizenship certificates conducted by IRCC in June 2026 has contributed to the delays. The department notified recent certificate recipients in the US that their approved claims were under review, leading to a temporary pause in finalizing new citizenship-by-descent applications.