Just five months after Canada removed the so-called first-generation limit on citizenship by descent, the fallout is becoming clear: processing times for a proof-of-citizenship certificate have stretched to 12 months, according to data obtained by independent outlet Mogaz on May 17. More than 14,000 new applications—predominantly from U.S. nationals—were filed in the past 30 days alone as dual-passport seekers race to secure Canadian status. The surge traces back to Bill C-3, which amended the Citizenship Act on 15 December 2025. Anyone born before that date who can show an unbroken line of descent from a Canadian parent or grandparent is now eligible to claim citizenship, even if the Canadian ancestor had himself or herself been born abroad. Immigration lawyers predicted interest from the large Canadian diaspora in the United States, but the volume has exceeded IRCC’s forecasts, further straining back-office capacity already burdened by pandemic-era backlogs.
For applicants, the bottleneck has immediate implications. A proof-of-citizenship certificate is required before an adult can apply for a Canadian passport, complicating summer-travel plans and cross-border work assignments. Some U.S. executives pursuing Canadian projects report delaying intra-company transfers because the certificate queue is now longer than a standard work-permit process. Corporations with North American mobility programmes should therefore revisit timelines and consider alternative routes—such as CUSMA professional work permits or Labour-Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)–exempt pathways—while employees wait for their citizenship papers.
![Demand for proof-of-citizenship certificates soars after Canada lifts “first-generation” limit]()
For individuals or HR departments navigating these shifting requirements, VisaHQ’s dedicated Canada team can streamline documentation checks, appointment bookings, and application submissions for both citizenship proofs and alternative work-authorization routes. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) consolidates real-time updates, turnaround estimates, and expert support, removing much of the guesswork while applicants wait on IRCC.
Meanwhile, talent acquisition teams may find recruitment easier, as a Canadian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 182 countries and no worldwide taxation—powerful perks in a globally mobile workforce. Ottawa has not yet announced emergency triage measures, but stakeholders expect IRCC to redeploy officers from lower-volume streams or open temporary processing centres, similar to the tactics used during the 2021 passport surge. Until then, employers should prepare for year-long waits and advise staff to secure certified copies of birth and marriage records early in the process to avoid additional delays.
For applicants, the bottleneck has immediate implications. A proof-of-citizenship certificate is required before an adult can apply for a Canadian passport, complicating summer-travel plans and cross-border work assignments. Some U.S. executives pursuing Canadian projects report delaying intra-company transfers because the certificate queue is now longer than a standard work-permit process. Corporations with North American mobility programmes should therefore revisit timelines and consider alternative routes—such as CUSMA professional work permits or Labour-Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)–exempt pathways—while employees wait for their citizenship papers.
For individuals or HR departments navigating these shifting requirements, VisaHQ’s dedicated Canada team can streamline documentation checks, appointment bookings, and application submissions for both citizenship proofs and alternative work-authorization routes. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) consolidates real-time updates, turnaround estimates, and expert support, removing much of the guesswork while applicants wait on IRCC.
Meanwhile, talent acquisition teams may find recruitment easier, as a Canadian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 182 countries and no worldwide taxation—powerful perks in a globally mobile workforce. Ottawa has not yet announced emergency triage measures, but stakeholders expect IRCC to redeploy officers from lower-volume streams or open temporary processing centres, similar to the tactics used during the 2021 passport surge. Until then, employers should prepare for year-long waits and advise staff to secure certified copies of birth and marriage records early in the process to avoid additional delays.
