Less than a year after Bill C-3 expanded Canada’s citizenship by descent rules, the country is experiencing a significant increase in applications for proof of citizenship. The legislation removed the previous first-generation limit, allowing many individuals with Canadian ancestry born outside Canada to claim Canadian citizenship. As interest continues to grow, particularly among applicants in the United States, demand for citizenship certificates has reached unprecedented levels.
The surge in applications has placed considerable pressure on processing systems at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). More than 136,000 citizenship certificate applications are currently awaiting a decision and estimated processing times have increased dramatically. Applicants who submit requests today are facing waits of approximately 33 months, compared to just five months before the new legislation came into effect.
While the changes introduced by Bill C-3 have been welcomed by many families previously excluded from citizenship eligibility, they have also highlighted the growing demand for Canadian citizenship around the world. Immigration experts and legal professionals have expressed concerns about the expanding backlog, noting that additional resources and processing capacity may be needed to address increasing application volumes and ensure timely access to citizenship services.
What Changed Under Bill C-3?
The legislation removed the longstanding first-generation limit on citizenship by descent, significantly expanding eligibility for individuals with Canadian ancestry born outside Canada. Prior to the change, citizenship could generally only be passed to the first generation born abroad. The new rules allow citizenship to extend beyond that limit for many eligible descendants.
The changes were introduced following a court decision that found the previous first-generation limit unconstitutional. As a result, many individuals who were previously excluded from citizenship eligibility are now able to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship.
Impact on Applicants
The expanded eligibility has generated unprecedented demand for citizenship certificates, creating substantial processing backlogs. Immigration lawyers and industry professionals have expressed concern about the growing wait times and have called for additional resources to help manage application volumes and improve processing efficiency.
IRCC has indicated that it is taking steps to address increased demand, including onboarding additional staff, refining workload management practices, and improving processing systems. However, officials note that many applications require extensive documentation and verification, contributing to longer processing times.
Quick Facts
- More than 136,000 citizenship certificate applications are currently awaiting processing, making it one of the largest backlogs in recent years as demand for Canadian citizenship by descent continues to rise.
- Current applicants face an estimated 33-month processing time, compared to approximately five months before Bill C-3 came into effect, highlighting the impact of increased application volumes.
- The removal of the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent has made Canadian citizenship accessible to many individuals who were previously ineligible because their parents or grandparents were also born outside Canada.
- Many of the new applications are being submitted by individuals in the United States seeking proof of Canadian citizenship through family ancestry.
- IRCC has stated that it is implementing operational measures, including additional staffing and application triaging, to help manage growing demand and reduce processing delays.
Conclusion
The implementation of Bill C-3 has significantly expanded access to Canadian citizenship by descent, opening the door for thousands of people with Canadian ancestry to claim citizenship. While the changes have been welcomed by many families previously excluded under the former rules, they have also created substantial pressure on Canada’s citizenship processing system.
As application volumes continue to grow, the government’s ability to manage processing times will play an important role in ensuring eligible individuals can access the benefits of Canadian citizenship in a timely manner. The surge in demand also highlights the broad impact of the legislation on Canadian families living abroad and the continued global interest in Canadian citizenship.