Canada Lengthens Waiting Period for Citizenship Documents to Nearly One and a Half Years

The Canadian government has disclosed that the processing time for proof of citizenship has risen to 19 months, according to information available on IRCC.com. This update was posted on the country's immigration, refugees, and citizenship website on Thursday.

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The change is effective immediately and applies to all new and existing applications, as stated by IRCC. The platform, which provides information on Canada's affairs, noted that this development marks a significant increase from previous processing times, which had been steadily rising over the past year.

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Historically, the processing time for proof of citizenship was relatively short, typically ranging from a few months to a year. The current backlog of nearly 100,000 applications is a major factor contributing to the prolonged processing times.

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The surge in applications can be attributed to the growing demand for Canadian citizenship, driven by the country's reputation as a welcoming and inclusive society. The increased demand has led to a significant rise in processing times.

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The mechanics of the proof of citizenship application process remain unchanged, with applicants still required to submit their applications through the official government website or by mail. The eligibility criteria, document requirements, and fees associated with the application also remain the same.

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However, the increased processing time means that applicants will have to wait longer to receive their proof of citizenship, which can impact their ability to access certain benefits and services. This may cause inconvenience for applicants who are waiting for their proof of citizenship.

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A check on the country's website, Canada.ca, confirmed the new processing time and encouraged applicants to check their application status online. The website also warned that foreign nationals living in certain countries may face longer processing times.

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Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda are temporarily not permitted to travel to Canada. Applications from these countries are not being finalized at this time, which may result in longer processing times.

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The increase in processing time comes amid a sharp rise in applications for proof of Canadian citizenship following changes to Canada's citizenship-by-descent law that took effect in December 2025. The amendments broadened eligibility to more people born abroad with Canadian ancestry.

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The changes triggered increased demand for citizenship certificates required to obtain Canadian passports. As a result, the number of applications for proof of citizenship has risen significantly.

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Data published by CIC News, citing IRCC statistics, showed that the United States recorded the highest number of proof of citizenship applications after the new rules came into effect. In January 2026 alone, nearly 2,500 applications were submitted by Americans.

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This number is about 10 times the number received from the United Kingdom, the second-largest source country. The US total also exceeded the combined applications from the next nine leading countries.

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There are, however, no official figures indicating the number of Nigerians who applied for proof of Canadian citizenship in either 2025 or 2026. Nigeria remains one of Canada's leading source countries for permanent residents and international students.

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Despite this, Nigeria has not featured among the countries with the highest volume of proof of citizenship applications published by Canadian authorities. The country's immigration trends and patterns are subject to change over time.