As of September 3, a new application for proof of Canadian citizenship takes 33 months to process. This marks an eight-month increase from the previous estimate in August.

With over 136,000 individuals in the queue, individuals seeking Canadian citizenship by descent are looking at nearly three years before they can validate their status and enjoy associated rights.

Canada’s citizenship department has identified nine specific situations that may qualify for expedited processing, allowing certain files to be prioritized.

Benefits of Urgent Processing for Applications

By submitting an urgent processing request along with a complete certificate application, your file can be moved ahead in the 33-month queue. The same evidentiary standards apply, and incomplete files will be returned rather than processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

It’s important to note that while a qualifying request does not guarantee expedited processing, there is a possibility that IRCC may complete your file too late to impact your circumstances.

Timeline and Communication for Urgent Processing

IRCC does not provide a specific timeline for urgent processing. The decision-making process and speed of processing are at the discretion of the reviewing officer, even in cases where the request is well-founded.

While the processing time can be relatively short, actual durations vary. For instance, Cohen Immigration Law submitted a proof of citizenship application with an urgent processing request in May for an applicant who was commencing studies in Canada, and IRCC approved the application by the end of August.

It’s crucial to understand that this case should not be considered a standard of service, as processing times can differ based on individual circumstances and the complexity of each case.

During the processing period, applicants may not receive any confirmation messages from IRCC regarding the status of their request. Typically, the next communication received is the decision itself, unless additional documentation is requested with a specified deadline.

Situations Considered for Urgent Processing of Citizenship Certificates

Most reasons accepted by IRCC for urgent processing require a specific deadline and supporting documentation demonstrating the urgency related to that deadline. Utilize our free tool to determine if your situation aligns with the criteria deemed eligible by Canada’s citizenship department.