Since Invoice C-3 took impact in December 2025, citizenship by descent has been one of many fastest-moving tales in Canadian immigration.
In June 2026, it grew to become turbulent, when Canada’s citizenship division started reviewing certificates it had already issued.
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This text explains what candidates can do if impacted, and collects the important thing developments in a single place, with hyperlinks to our full protection.
The place we are actually
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says its evaluation of citizenship certificates is basically resolved, and that finalization of pending functions is anticipated to renew “throughout the subsequent few days.”
A routine verify in early June flagged 100 certificates for probably inadequate documentation, out of roughly 6,500 functions. Of these, 33 have been robotically reinstated. The remaining 67 instances (which signify roughly one per cent of whole certificates issued below C-3 to this point) are nonetheless being resolved, with candidates to be reinstated or contacted inside days.
The evaluation started on June 13 when IRCC contacted some certificates recipients. Within the weeks that adopted, the division paused finalizing new citizenship-by-descent functions, and up to date its steerage on supporting documentation.
Backside line: that is scrutiny of a small subset of instances, not a broad rejection of proof of citizenship functions. Instances that maintain up are continuing usually. Those who do not are, typically reported thus far, getting an opportunity to verify their eligibility.
What to do if in case you have been impacted
If you happen to’ve already utilized for Proof of Canadian citizenship certificates and are ready
Your eligibility is unaffected. Essentially the most helpful factor you are able to do is make sure that your file meets IRCC’s up to date source-document normal, with any gaps defined in writing. A well-documented file is the one least more likely to be flagged.
If you happen to’re contemplating making use of for a Proof of Canadian citizenship certificates
You’ll be able to nonetheless submit an software for a Canadian citizenship certificates. Assessment the eligibility standards and ensure your supporting paperwork meet IRCC’s up to date normal earlier than you apply.
If you happen to utilized and received a give up letter
If you happen to obtained a give up letter, there are two doubtless outcomes:
- IRCC reinstates your certificates based mostly in your present file, as occurred with most of the 100 instances.
- IRCC contacts you on to request particular further info or documentation.
If IRCC contacts you, reply with what’s requested. If you happen to’re not sure learn how to proceed, an immigration lawyer may help you assess what your file wants.
If you have not been contacted, no motion is required whereas your case is below evaluation.
It is vital to remember that a give up letter is just not a rejection. If you happen to obtained a letter asking you to give up your certificates, you may proceed working in Canada and maintain your standing whereas your case is below evaluation.
You might be requested to not use a Canadian passport issued on the energy of the certificates below evaluation till IRCC resolves your file. If you happen to’ve travelled internationally on that passport, or have upcoming journey deliberate, it is value talking with an immigration lawyer about your particular scenario earlier than counting on it once more.
What candidates ought to take into account going ahead
Invoice C-3 remains to be in drive, and the principles for who qualify are the identical as they have been the day the legislation took impact. In different phrases, your eligibility for citizenship by descent hasn’t modified.
The bar for documentation has been up to date; IRCC’s supporting documentation requirement now specifies information from the “unique” supply authority. That features the civil registry, very important statistics workplace, or an equal physique.
In case your paperwork meet the usual, the immigration minister has indicated you don’t have anything to fret about. Candidates whose information meet the usual are being cleared. In Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s personal phrases, these deemed okay “are being informed you are superb.”
Constructing a case could also be extra sophisticated when information are outdated, in a overseas language, or span a number of generations. Candidates who aren’t assured of their documentation might need to seek the advice of an immigration lawyer earlier than submitting.
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From a brand new legislation that opened citizenship to misplaced generations, to surrendered certificates and a federal evaluation — the story in ten moments.
Dec 152025
Invoice C-3 takes impact
The primary-generation restrict on citizenship by descent is eliminated. Anybody born earlier than that date with a documented, steady line from a Canadian ancestor might now qualify — no matter what number of generations, with no residency requirement. It solutions a 2023 courtroom ruling that discovered the outdated restrict unconstitutional.
Feb–Mar2026
A surge in functions
Attorneys and consultants report a pointy rise in demand for proof-of-citizenship certificates — particularly from People.
4,075
certificates issued
below the brand new guidelines
in first three months
June2026
The queue passes 82,000
Utility quantity pushes the processing backlog and printed wait occasions sharply larger.
82,000+
functions
within the queue
15 mo
wait time,
up from ~9 months
June 132026
Give up letters despatched
Canada’s division sends letters to some certificates holders to give up their citizenship certificates whereas their information are being reviewed — in some instances citing considerations over supporting paperwork drawn from open or secondary sources.
Mid-June2026
Processing paused, proof normal raised
Canada’s citizenship division quickly stops finalizing some new citizenship by descent functions. In the meantime, new steerage raises the documentary bar, specifying that proof of lineage should come from the unique supply authority.
Mid-June2026
Authorized pushback
Immigration legal professionals argue the division shifted the documentary normal after approving functions — and say that forcing folks to give up issued certificates could possibly be unconstitutional.
June 192026
Revalidation letters start
The division begins reversing give up requests, confirming recipients might maintain their certificates. Many report submitting no new proof — the information have been merely re-reviewed.
June 232026
Minister confirms finalizations halted
Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirms no new functions are being finalized and all information are below evaluation — these “deemed to be okay are being informed you are superb.” Folks already in Canada maintain their standing and might proceed working.
June 302026
IRCC completes evaluation of citizenship certificates
The division defined {that a} routine evaluation flagged 100 certificates with probably inadequate documentation. Of this, it has reinstated 33 citizenship certificates, and 67 instances (~1% of all instances processed) stay excellent. IRCC’s expanded evaluation of roughly 6,500 functions is now full.
~1%
of certificates
issued below C-3 (67 whole)
6,500
functions
reviewed in full
July 82026
Wait time hits 19 months because the queue nears 100,000
Canada’s tracker updates the proof-of-citizenship wait to 19 months, up from June’s 15-month estimate. The queue has grown by roughly 17,500 candidates in a month — an increase pushed each by demand and by the certificates evaluation that slowed processing.
99,500
folks ready
as of July 7
19 mo
wait time,
up from 15 months
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