Canada suspends processing of citizenship by descent

by Michael Scott

On Tuesday June 23^rd, IRCC Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed that her department has paused all new citizenship by descent approvals and is reviewing all files including those of applicants who have been recently approved.

“Those that are deemed to be okay are being told they’re fine,” Diab said. The Minister did not specify what the problem was but assured applicants they are dealing with the issue. “We are taking it seriously, and we will review it and take the time that we need, ensuring that we will be clear with Canadians,” Diab told reporters at her press conference.

On June 13 the department sent letters to those who recently received citizenship under Canada’s updated descent law telling them that their claim was “under review” even though it had been approved.

The Minister did not confirm if the problem was with the use of AI nor why she used the suspension of processing to halt or warn users. The problem may be related to the recent change in eligibility that extended to multi-level generations rather than limiting it to one generation. Some users have received written confirmation from IRCC saying that their examination supports the documentation given in the claim and nothing further is required. Others must await a confirmation letter.

The background to the change is that on December 15, 2025, the department confirmed changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act allowing people born before this date to claim citizenship by descent without meeting any residency requirement, providing they can prove lineage from a Canadian citizen. The effect was immediate with a huge increase in the number of applications for Canadian citizenship by descent from many in the United States. As of June, there are 82,000 applications in the queue, which increased processing times by up to 15 months.

“I have instructed the department the second I found out there was something, I wasn't sure what it was, to investigate,” Diab said. “So, I can clearly tell you that at this point we are not finalizing any new applications, and all applications are being reviewed. Those that are deemed to be OK are being told you’re fine.” The Minister assured all that she takes the issue seriously and wants to assure applicants and other Canadians that the issue of necessary proof of citizenship is important to Canadians.

The citizenship process flows through single or multiple generations by starting with the original Canadian ancestor, who was born in Canada or a naturalized citizen of the country. The ancestor must be recognized, even retroactively, as a citizen.

This requirement is for parents or grandparents or older ancestors. The applicant must be recognized as a Canadian citizen at birth and provide an unbroken line of descent back to the original Canadian ancestor. The potential for abuse is present, and documentation is lengthy. It can include long-form birth certificate for each generation, marriage certificates or name-change records to explain discrepancies, baptismal or historical records, census, military or property records to establish residency and citizenship as well as death certificates if applicable. The applicant is required to provide immigration or naturalization documents as well as court orders, surrogacy agreements, or hospital records. All documents must be certified copies and, if not in English or French, accompanied by certified translations.

Citizenship by descent is automatic and retroactive for eligible individuals born before December 15, 2025. Dual citizenship is recognized. For children born after December 15, 2025, the substantial connection test must be satisfied to pass citizenship to the next generation.

Bill C-3, which introduced the change to the Citizenship Act, permanently removed the first-generation limit for citizenship, allowing descendants of Canadian citizens abroad to claim citizenship, but the lineage of the applicants to a Canadian over the generations will be closely scrutinized. The law ensures that the historical connection for lost Canadians has a clear framework for future generations and a challenge for government authorities processing the applications.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.