A new application for proof of Canadian citizenship now takes around 34 months to process, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
IRCC updated its processing times tool on October 9, adding one month to September’s 33-month estimate.
The increase is much smaller than those recorded over the previous several months.
Wait Time Growth Slows Sharply
From May through September, the processing time increased every month at a faster pace.
| Reading | Quoted Wait | Increase | Month-over-Month Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 12 months | +2 months | 20.0% |
| June 2026 | 15 months | +3 months | 25.0% |
| July 2026 | 19 months | +4 months | 26.7% |
| August 2026 | 25 months | +6 months | 31.6% |
| September 2026 | 33 months | +8 months | 32.0% |
| October 2026 | 34 months | +1 month | 3.0% |
October’s increase to 34 months represents a rise of about 3%, compared with roughly 32% in September.
The wait time had previously fallen from 11 months to 10 months in March 2026 before rising sharply through the summer.
Queue Falls for the First Time Since Citizenship Law Change
IRCC also reported a decline in the number of people waiting for a decision.
The queue fell to 130,700 applicants in October, down from 136,000 in September.
| Reading | Applicants Waiting | Monthly Change |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 121,800 | +22,300 |
| September 2026 | 136,000 | +14,200 |
| October 2026 | 130,700 | -5,300 |
That is a decrease of 5,300 applicants and marks the first month-to-month decline since changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act took effect in December 2025.
The queue had previously been growing quickly, including an increase of 22,300 applications in August and another 14,200 in September.
A smaller queue suggests IRCC finalized more applications during the period than it received.
However, one month of improvement is not enough to establish a broader trend.
Urgent Processing Is Available in Some Cases
IRCC can process some proof-of-citizenship applications faster through its urgent processing system.
Requests are considered individually, and applicants must meet specific circumstances recognized by the department.
IRCC currently lists eight situations in which it may consider expediting a citizenship certificate application.
The post Canadian Citizenship Certificate Applications Now Take Almost 3 Years appeared first on ProPakistani.