The processing time for a new Canadian citizenship certificate has increased to 34 months, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The latest estimate represents a one-month increase from September’s 33-month waiting period.
IRCC updated its processing times tool on October 9, 2026. The latest figures show that waiting times are still rising, but the pace of growth has slowed significantly.
The extended timeline may affect people who need proof of their Canadian citizenship. Applicants should consider these delays when planning travel, employment, or other arrangements requiring citizenship documentation.
Increase in Processing Time Slows in October
The processing time for Canadian citizenship certificates increased sharply between May and September 2026. However, the latest figures indicate a much smaller monthly increase.
In May, applicants faced an estimated wait of 12 months. This increased to 15 months in June and 19 months in July.
The waiting period then climbed to 25 months in August. By September, it had reached 33 months, reflecting an eight-month increase.
In October, the estimate rose by just one month to 34 months. This represents an increase of approximately 3%, compared with roughly 32% in September.
The waiting period had previously dropped from 11 months to 10 months in March 2026. However, processing times increased rapidly throughout the following months.
Although the latest increase is smaller, applicants still face lengthy delays when requesting proof of Canadian citizenship.
Number of Pending Applications Declines
IRCC has also reported a reduction in the number of applicants waiting for decisions. The pending application queue fell to 130,700 in October 2026.
This was down from 136,000 applicants in September, representing a decrease of 5,300 cases.
The decline marks the first monthly reduction since changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act took effect in December 2025.
Before October, the backlog had increased considerably. The number of pending applications rose by 22,300 in August and another 14,200 in September.
The latest figures suggest IRCC may have finalized more applications than it received during the period. However, one month’s decline does not necessarily indicate a lasting improvement.
Applicants seeking Canadian citizenship documentation should therefore continue to expect potentially lengthy processing periods.
Urgent Processing Available for Eligible Applicants
IRCC offers an urgent processing option for certain applicants who need their citizenship certificates sooner. However, faster processing is not available automatically to everyone.
Each request is assessed individually, and applicants must meet specific conditions established by the department.
IRCC currently identifies eight situations in which it may consider expediting a citizenship certificate application. Applicants must demonstrate that their circumstances meet the relevant requirements.
People facing urgent situations should review IRCC’s official guidance before submitting a request. They should also prepare the necessary supporting documents to explain their circumstances.
The urgent processing option may help eligible applicants who cannot reasonably wait for the standard processing period.
What Applicants Should Know
The latest figures show that Canadian citizenship certificate applications continue to face substantial delays. Although the backlog decreased in October, the estimated processing time reached a new high of 34 months.
Applicants should check IRCC’s processing times tool regularly for updated estimates. Those with urgent needs can also review the department’s eligibility requirements for expedited processing.
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The coming months will help determine whether the recent decline in pending applications continues and whether processing times eventually begin to improve.
