Immigration minister says Canada is ‘not finalizing any new’ citizenship-by-descent applications, reviewing all files

On Tuesday, June 23, Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed that Canada has halted decisions on citizenship by descent files, and is reviewing the files of people who have already been issued citizenship certificates.

“Those that are deemed to be okay are being told [they’re] fine,” Diab said. 

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While their files are under review, applicants' status as Canadian citizens is not affected, so those in Canada can work as their applications are reviewed, the minister said.

"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 a press conference.

On June 13, Canada's citizenship department sent surrender letters to several dozen people who had received proof of Canadian citizenship certificates under Canada’s updated citizenship by descent laws, telling them their citizenship claims were "under review" even though their applications for proof of Canadian citizenship certificates had already been approved.

What triggered the pause?

At the press conference, a journalist pressed Diab on whether the review was triggered by an error in the department's use of AI, advanced analytics tools, or by a mistake made by an individual officer.

The minister did not answer direct questions about what caused the government to demand that approved citizens hand back their certificates.

She said only that she had instructed the department to investigate "the second" she became aware something was wrong.

Updated documentation

Following this review of Canadian citizenship certificates, Canada's citizenship department has issued new guidance on what it expects as proof of Canadian lineage from people applying for citizenship by descent.

These changes raise the accepted supporting documentation and the documentary standard for citizenship-by-descent applications.

Among other changes, instructions say that documents must come from the original source authorities responsible for maintaining historical records, when possible.

Where things stand now

Canada has already begun returning some certificates as of this week.

Revalidation letters sent by the department state that a review of the documents filed is complete, that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim, and that the person is entitled to hold a certificate.

Some Canadians who have been issued these revalidation letters report not having submitted any additional evidence since receiving their surrender letters.

Background

On December 15, 2025, changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act took effect, removing the first generation limit to inheriting Canadian citizenship for individuals born outside Canada prior to that date.

Beginning in February and March 2026, immigration lawyers and citizenship consultants across Canada experienced a massive surge in demand to assist with applications, especially from Americans, for proof of Canadian citizenship certificates.

As of June, there are 82,000 applications in the queue, pushing the expected processing time for incoming applications up to 15 months.

A proof of Canadian citizenship certificate is the official document issued by the federal government to verify the status of a Canadian citizen by descent.

A Canadian citizen by descent requires a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate in order to apply for a Canadian passport.

Citizens born in Canada, in contrast, typically prove their citizenship with the use of a Canadian birth certificate.

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