The Canadian citizenship certificate processing time has reached approximately 34 months, according to the October 2026 update. At the same time, the number of applicants waiting in the reported queue fell from approximately 136,000 to 130,700.

That means the processing estimate increased by one month while the queue decreased by approximately 5,300 applications.

The two figures may appear contradictory, but they measure different things.

Canadian Citizenship Certificate Processing Time Rises Again

IRCC’s processing-time estimate has increased substantially during 2026.

The reported progression was:

Month	Estimated processing time
May 2026	12 months
June 2026	15 months
July 2026	19 months
August 2026	25 months
September 2026	33 months
October 2026	34 months

Source: IRCC Current Processing-Time

The October increase is considerably smaller than the jumps recorded during the summer.

For applicants, however, 34 months remains a very long estimated wait.

IRCC emphasizes that processing-time estimates are not guarantees or maximum processing periods.

The Queue Actually Fell

There is another important part of the update.

The reported number of people waiting for a decision declined by approximately 5,300, from 136,000 in September to 130,700 in October. This was the first monthly decline reported after the sharp growth in the citizenship certificate queue.

That is potentially encouraging, but it is too early to conclude that the backlog has permanently turned a corner.

One month of decline does not establish a sustained trend.

The more meaningful question will be whether the queue continues to decline in subsequent months.

Why Can the Wait Increase While the Queue Falls?

Processing-time estimates are forward-looking.

They are not simply a mathematical calculation of how many people are waiting divided by the number of files processed.

IRCC’s processing-time tool provides an estimate of how long a new application may take.

Therefore, a reduction in the number of applications waiting does not automatically mean that the posted processing time will immediately decrease.

This is an important distinction for anyone reading the latest citizenship headlines.

What Changed With Bill C-3?

The increased demand for proof of citizenship has occurred in the context of changes to Canada’s citizenship-by-descent rules.

IRCC says that on December 15, 2025, Canada changed the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent through Bill C-3. The department is processing applications affected by the changes under the new rules.

This change expanded the circumstances in which people born outside Canada may have a claim to Canadian citizenship through descent.

The important point is that proof of citizenship is different from applying to become a Canadian citizen through an immigration program.

A citizenship certificate is evidence of citizenship for someone who is already a Canadian citizen.

It is not an Express Entry application, permanent residence application or citizenship grant application.

Should You Wait Before Applying?

For people who already qualify for proof of citizenship, the long processing time should not automatically be treated as a reason to delay.

The appropriate decision depends on the person’s circumstances and the evidence available to establish citizenship.

Applicants should make sure they understand the applicable citizenship-by-descent rules and gather the necessary documents before submitting an application.

A complete and accurate application is particularly important when family relationships span multiple generations or countries.

Can Proof of Citizenship Be Urgently Processed?

IRCC has an urgent-processing mechanism for certain proof-of-citizenship situations.

However, urgent processing is not automatic simply because the standard processing time is long.

Applicants must meet the applicable criteria and provide supporting evidence.

Anyone considering urgent processing should review IRCC’s current requirements rather than assuming that a personal deadline automatically qualifies.

What Should Applicants Do Now?

If you are considering a citizenship certificate application:

• First, confirm citizenship: Do not assume that having a Canadian parent, grandparent or more distant ancestor automatically produces the same result in every situation.
• Second, review the family chain: Birth certificates, marriage records, name changes and other documents may become important when establishing relationships between generations.
• Third, use current IRCC requirements: Citizenship-by-descent rules have changed, so older guides may no longer accurately reflect the applicable requirements.
• Fourth, plan around the processing time: If you need proof of citizenship for a passport, relocation, employment or another purpose, consider the potential waiting period before making plans.

At ImmigCanada, our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Eivy Joy Quito, can help clients understand their Canadian immigration and citizenship-related options based on their circumstances. Citizenship-by-descent cases can involve different legal questions from standard immigration applications, so the appropriate route should be assessed carefully.