The demand for Canadian citizenship certificates has surged, particularly among Americans, following the implementation of Bill C-3, known as the “Lost Canadians Act,” in December 2025. Nearly half of the applications for proof of citizenship received since then have come from individuals born in the U.S., leading to a backlog in processing. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported that in January 2026, 8,900 applications were submitted, a 50% increase from the previous year, with 2,470 from U.S. applicants. However, wait times for processing these applications have now ballooned to 25 months, up from a previously reported year-long wait, with approximately 121,800 applications pending. The IRCC also flagged about 100 certificates for review due to documentation issues, further complicating processing times.
Why It Matters
The significant rise in applications for Canadian citizenship from Americans reflects a broader trend of individuals seeking citizenship in countries with more favorable immigration policies. Bill C-3 allows descendants of Canadians to reclaim citizenship regardless of how many generations back, which has prompted increased interest from Americans. Simultaneously, many countries are tightening their citizenship requirements, creating a stark contrast with Canada’s more accessible path to citizenship. This surge not only impacts the IRCC’s processing capabilities but also highlights changing global migration patterns and the differing approaches to citizenship across nations.
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