Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Canadian citizenship certificate wait reaches 33 months amid backlog
People applying for a Canadian citizenship certificate may now have to wait about 33 months for a decision.
This is an estimate for applications received today.
The estimate was 12 months in May and 25 months in August.
About 136,000 applications are currently waiting for decisions.
People applying from outside Canada and the United States may need another three to four months for mailing.
Incomplete applications may be delayed or returned.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada updates its estimates each month based on applications, staff, and operating needs.
The department says the estimate can rise or fall and is not a guarantee.
Applications connected to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda may take even longer.
The estimated wait for a new citizenship certificate rose to 33 months in September 2026.
The estimate increased from 25 months in August and 12 months in May.
About 136,000 citizenship certificate applications are awaiting decisions.
Applicants outside Canada and the United States may need 3 to 4 additional months for mailing.
IRCC warned that applications connected to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda could face further delays.
- Who
- People applying for Canadian citizenship certificates and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- What
- The estimated processing time for new citizenship certificate applications increased to 33 months, with about 136,000 applications pending.
- When
- The latest figure was updated on September 3, 2026; the estimate rose from 25 months in August and 12 months in May.
- Where
- The applications are processed by Canadian immigration authorities; applicants outside Canada and the United States may face additional mailing time.
- Why
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada bases estimates on application volumes, expected processing capacity, staffing, and operational needs.
- Current estimated wait
- 33 months for new citizenship certificate applications
- August estimate
- 25 months
- May estimate
- 12 months
- Pending applications
- Approximately 136,000
- Overseas mailing time
- Applicants outside Canada and the United States may need to add 3 to 4 months
- Estimate update
- September 3, 2026
- Additional delay warning
- Applications listing the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda as the last country of residence may take longer