Trusted Canadian Immigration Lawyers
- +1-647-494-8299
- immigrate@ansarilaw.ca
- Mon – Fri: 9AM – 5PM
Trusted Canadian Immigration Lawyers
If you have a pending Canadian citizenship by descent application or recently received a proof of citizenship certificate, you may be concerned by reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has paused parts of the application process. The announcement has created uncertainty for many applicants waiting for a decision or recently approved.
Understanding what this pause means is essential before taking any action. This guide explains why IRCC introduced the pause and who may be affected. In addition, what it means for pending and approved applications, and the practical steps you should consider while the policy remains in effect.
At Ansari Immigration Law, we want our clients to understand exactly what this pause means and what to do next.
On June 17, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a temporary pause on finalising certain citizenship by descent applications. The decision followed the department’s request for some approved applicants to surrender their citizenship certificates while their files underwent further review.
According to IRCC, the pause was introduced to examine how these cases were processed and to ensure future decisions are fair, consistent, and legally compliant. On June 23, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed that Canada had stopped finalising all new citizenship by descent applications while the review continues.
She also stated that previously issued citizenship certificates are being reassessed. Applicants whose files meet the required standards are being informed accordingly, while others must wait until the review process is complete.
The current IRCC pause primarily affects individuals who applied for Canadian citizenship by descent under Bill C-3, which came into force on December 15, 2025. Depending on your application stage, the review may affect you in different ways.
|
Is Your Citizenship Application on Hold? Avoid costly mistakes by getting trusted legal guidance before responding to requests about your citizenship application. |
IRCC says the temporary pause is intended to review how Canadian citizenship by descent applications were assessed, particularly the evidence used to establish family lineage. The decision centres on concerns about supporting documents and whether they met the required standard.
The pause arrives at a difficult moment for the citizenship by descent program. Application volumes have surged since Bill C-3 took effect, driven largely by American descendants of Canadian citizens. IRCC’s inventory expanded from approximately 56,000 applications in April to more than 82,000 by June.
As the backlog continues to grow, estimated processing times have increased to around 15 months. Because IRCC has paused finalising new citizenship by descent applications, many applicants may experience additional waiting time before receiving a decision.
Whether your citizenship certificate is under review or your application has been paused, taking the right steps now can help you prepare for the next stage of the process.
Whether your citizenship by descent application is paused or your certificate is under review, timely legal advice can make a meaningful difference. Certified Lawyer Yameena Ansari and her legal team help applicants prepare strong documentary evidence, respond to IRCC requests, and address complex citizenship by descent issues.
From reviewing your eligibility to managing correspondence with IRCC, we provide strategic legal support at every stage to help protect your rights and strengthen your application. Book a detailed consultation today and get the information that helps to protect your Canadian Citizenship process.
No! Bill C3 remains fully in force and eligibility rules are unchanged. IRCC has paused finalizing decisions while it reviews documentation standards across the program, not because the citizenship by descent pathway itself has been removed or altered.
Yes, you can still submit an application. IRCC continues to accept filings, but it is not finalizing new approvals while the review is ongoing, so expect longer processing times than usual until the pause is lifted.
You remain a Canadian citizen while your file is reviewed. You cannot use your passport during this period, but you may continue working in Canada. Submitting stronger original source documentation improves your chances of a favorable outcome.
Gather certified records directly from civil registries or vital statistics offices for every generation in your lineage. Avoid relying only on genealogy website printouts, and work with an immigration lawyer to address documentary gaps before you submit.
IRCC’s temporary pause on citizenship by descent applications has created uncertainty for both pending applicants and individuals who have already received citizenship certificates. While the review continues, the eligibility rules under Bill C-3 have not changed, and the pathway to citizenship by descent remains available.
If your application is affected, staying informed and responding promptly to any IRCC requests is essential. Gathering certified supporting documents and keeping complete records can help you prepare for the review process and reduce unnecessary delays.
As IRCC continues reassessing applications and documentation standards, processing times may remain longer than expected. Understanding the latest requirements and taking the right steps early can help protect your application and support a smoother outcome.
Read Next: Canadian Citizenship by Descent: Bill C-3 Guide Rules & Tips
