Less than a year following the enactment of Bill C-3 allowing individuals with Canadian lineage to claim Canadian citizenship, the volume of pending citizenship certificate applications has surged significantly. Currently, over 136,000 applications are awaiting processing, with a substantial portion originating from the United States. Prospective applicants are now facing an estimated wait time of 33 months, marking a 32% increase in processing time and an 11% rise in application numbers compared to the previous update in August.
Christine Beltempo, president of the Canadian Bar Association’s immigration section and an attorney at McCarthy Tétrault, expressed concern over the substantial spike in processing times for citizenship certificate applications. She noted that the implementation of Bill C-3 was expected to generate a surge in applications for proof of citizenship.
Beltempo emphasized the necessity for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to allocate additional resources to handle the escalating volume of applications, foreseeing a further uptick in numbers in the upcoming year. IRCC spokesperson Briannah Dale attributed the increased processing time to various factors beyond Bill C-3, indicating that the department is actively monitoring application trends and volumes to address the heightened demand through operational enhancements.
The introduction of Bill C-3 in December 2025 expanded Canadian citizenship eligibility for individuals tracing their ancestry to Canadian forebears, irrespective of the generational gap. Subsequently, a substantial influx of applications ensued, overwhelming Canada’s archives with requests for lineage documentation.
Statistics released by IRCC reveal a relatively even distribution of citizenship certificates granted under different categories, including Bill C-3, replacement certificates, and first-generation cases, in terms of gender. Notably, a significant number of certificates were issued to applicants below the age of 14, possibly reflecting births abroad to Canadian parents.
While speculation on social platforms suggests older Americans seek Canadian citizenship for healthcare access, data indicates a limited number of certificates granted to individuals over 55. Notably, the delay in processing applications has raised concerns among legal experts, with potential implications for violating constitutional rights.
The delay in addressing the mounting application backlog has prompted discussions on potential legal actions, underscoring the pressing need for adequate resources to manage the situation effectively. Opposition parties have criticized the government for failing to anticipate and address the challenges associated with the surge in citizenship applications, emphasizing the necessity of prompt resolution to prevent further disruptions for affected individuals and families.
