Recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that between January 1 and May 31, 2026, 28,940 citizenship certificates were issued to proof of citizenship applicants. This surge in applications is attributed to the impact of Bill C-3, which extended citizenship by descent to millions of individuals, particularly in the United States.

Insights from the Data

While 28,940 certificates were issued, the data indicates that 82,020 proof of citizenship applications were pending finalization as of May 31. This backlog highlights the significant demand for citizenship certificates. Notably, IRCC’s recent publication of finalization figures for proof of citizenship applications provides transparency into the processing system.

Reports suggest that over 12,000 citizenship by descent applications were received between December 15, 2025, and January, with approximately 6,300 approvals granted during that period. Of these approvals, 1,480 were under the expanded eligibility introduced by Bill C-3, showcasing the impact of the legislative change.

Notably, U.S. citizens constituted a substantial portion of the approved applications, with nearly 2,500 Americans approved in January alone, reflecting the international interest in Canadian citizenship.

Challenges in Processing

Following the enactment of Bill C-3, processing times for proof of citizenship applications have significantly increased. The processing time, which was around nine months in November 2025, has now extended to 19 months as of July 2026, indicating a notable delay in application processing.

Moreover, provincial archives, crucial for verifying lineage in citizenship applications, have faced overwhelming demand, further contributing to delays in the processing timeline.

Factors Driving Application Surge

The recent surge in applications can be attributed to the amendment in the Citizenship Act that eliminated the first-generation limit for individuals born before December 15, 2025. This change has prompted a significant number of individuals to seek Canadian citizenship, leading to a substantial increase in applications.