Citizenship by Descent Part II: How long does a Bill C-3 application take?
Processing times for Bill C-3 citizenship by descent (proof of citizenship) applications are longer than many people expect. There are currently approximately close to 100,000 proof of citizenship applications in the queue, and processing time is running at about 19 months. Incomplete applications, missing documents, or unexplained gaps in the record can extend that further.
It’s also worth noting that IRCC has temporarily paused finalizing new Bill C-3 citizenship certificates while it conducts a broader review of the program following the June 2026 recall of some certificates and passports. That pause affects how long applicants may be waiting, and the timeline could shift further as things develop.
Can You Get Urgent Processing?
Urgent processing is available but it’s discretionary and requires documented supporting evidence. It’s not a workaround for impatience, but there are genuine circumstances where IRCC can and does move quickly.
Humanitarian and safety concerns carry the most weight. 2SLGBTQ+ applicants facing documented safety risks in their home country are among those with the strongest grounds. Medical emergencies, serious illness of a family member in Canada, and situations involving other risk to personal safety can also qualify. Even a job offer can provide grounds for urgent processing.
If the supporting evidence is clear and compelling, urgent requests can be resolved in weeks rather than months.
A general desire to relocate to Canada, or a preference to have the process finished sooner, is unlikely to meet the threshold on its own. If you’re building a longer-term contingency plan, the standard timeline is likely manageable. If your situation is genuinely urgent, the documentation you provide needs to make that case directly.
If you’re unsure whether your circumstances qualify for urgent processing, reach out to us at COMPASS Immigration Solutions for assistance.
FAQ:
How long does a Bill C-3 application take to process?
There are currently approximately 100,000 proof of citizenship applications in the queue. Processing time is running at about 19 months. Incomplete applications, missing documents, or unexplained gaps can extend that further.
Why has IRCC paused Bill C-3 processing?
IRCC has temporarily paused finalizing new Bill C-3 citizenship certificates while it conducts a broader review of the program. The pause affects applicants who are currently waiting for a decision. We will update this as more information becomes available.
Can I get urgent processing for a Bill C-3 application?
Urgent processing is available but discretionary. It requires documented supporting evidence. Humanitarian and safety concerns carry the most weight, and some well-documented requests can be resolved in days. A general desire to relocate quickly is unlikely to qualify on its own.
What circumstances qualify for urgent processing?
Documented grounds include safety risks, LGBTQ+ applicants facing genuine danger in their home country, medical emergencies, serious illness of a family member in Canada, a job offer or education. The supporting evidence needs to make the case directly.