# Bill C-3 Citizenship Surge: Over 6,100 Certificates Granted, Americans Make Up Half
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data shows that since Bill C-3 took effect on December 15, 2025, more than 6,100 people have received proof of Canadian citizenship under the expanded eligibility rules. Half of them — over 3,100 applications — came from people born in the United States.
This is just the beginning. IRCC currently has about 121,800 people waiting for a decision on their citizenship certificate applications. The surge is exactly what experts predicted when the law changed, but even immigration professionals say the scale has been significant.
The eligibility expansion came after a 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that struck down Canada’s “first-generation limit” on citizenship by descent as unconstitutional. Before that ruling, only the first generation born outside Canada could claim citizenship through ancestry. Bill C-3 removed that restriction entirely, allowing people who can prove they descend from a Canadian citizen — even if that ancestor left Canada generations ago — to apply for citizenship certificates.
Where Applicants Are Coming From: Five Countries Dominate
The geographic distribution of approved applications tells a clear story about who is benefiting most from the expanded rules:
| Country of Birth | Share of Approvals | Approximate Number |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 51% | ~3,111 |
| Mexico | 20.5% | ~1,251 |
| Bolivia | 6.1% | ~372 |
| United Kingdom & Territories | 3.2% | ~195 |
| Belize | 2.2% | ~134 |
| Other Countries | 17.2% | ~1,049 |
The data shows an overwhelming concentration. The top five countries of birth account for 93% of all approvals under the new rules. This pattern closely tracks Canada’s immigration history — the U.S. is geographically closest with massive cross-border movement; Mexico and Central America have been major source countries for Canadian immigration over recent decades.
Al Parsai, a Toronto-based immigration consultant who is also an adjunct professor at Queen’s University, told CTV News that his firm has seen steady interest in citizenship certificates, especially from American clients.
“My sense is that two developments are working together: the current geopolitical climate in the United States and Canada’s recent change to the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent,” Parsai said. “The timing gives some Americans both a reason to explore their options and, in some cases, a new legal avenue to establish Canadian citizenship.”
The Acadian Connection: From Maritime Provinces to Louisiana
Beyond the numbers, Bill C-3 is reigniting a little-known chapter of Canadian history — the diaspora of French-speaking Acadians.
In the 18th century, British colonists forcibly expelled thousands of French-speaking Acadians from what are now Canada’s Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island). Many fled to Louisiana, where their descendants eventually became known as Cajuns. Today, some of those Acadian descendants are using Bill C-3 to reconnect with Canada legally.
The challenge lies in documentation. Applicants need to trace their lineage through birth certificates, marriage records, baptismal documents, and naturalization papers. Every link in the chain must be verified.
“The documentary side can be much more complicated than people expect,” Parsai explained. “Finding a Canadian ancestor is only the starting point. The applicant still has to establish the legal and documentary chain that supports citizenship.”
Processing Times: From 9 Months to 25 Months
The application surge has stretched IRCC’s capacity thin. According to the department’s own figures, processing a citizenship certificate application now takes approximately 25 months. Earlier this year, that figure was just nine to ten months — a nearly threefold increase in under half a year.
| Time Period | Average Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Early 2026 (Bill C-3 just took effect) | 9–10 months |
| May 2026 (latest IRCC data) | ~25 months |
| Applicants outside Canada and U.S. | Additional 3–4 months |
For applicants living outside both Canada and the United States, the wait could approach three years.
An IRCC spokesperson defended the department’s handling of the surge to CTV News: “IRCC took a number of steps to prepare for the implementation of Bill C-3, and we continue to process applications as quickly as possible while protecting the integrity of Canada’s citizenship program. That means taking the time to verify that applicants meet the legal requirements for a citizenship certificate and making decisions that are fair, consistent and in line with the law.”
Who Qualifies: Three Key Checks
If you’re considering applying under Bill C-3, here are three questions to help determine whether your application has a realistic chance:
1. Can you prove Canadian ancestry? This is the fundamental requirement. Bill C-3 allows anyone who can demonstrate descent from a Canadian citizen to apply, regardless of how many generations have passed since the ancestor left Canada. You need at least one solid piece of evidence — a birth certificate, immigration record, baptismal register, or similar document.
2. Were you born before December 15, 2025? Bill C-3 only applies to people born before the law came into effect. For those born after, the existing rules still apply — the first generation born outside Canada retains automatic eligibility through a Canadian parent.
3. Is your documentation chain complete? This is the hardest hurdle. You need to trace the connection from yourself, through each generation, back to the Canadian ancestor. A single missing document can break the entire chain.
What You’ll Need to Prepare
If you decide to apply, here is a practical checklist of the documents you should start gathering:
- Your own identification: birth certificate, passport, driver’s licence
- Your parents’ documents: citizenship certificates or Canadian birth certificates (if applicable)
- Grandparent or ancestor records: this is the critical piece — birth certificates, immigration records, naturalization certificates, baptismal or marriage registrations
- Every generational link: birth certificates (proving parent-child relationship), marriage certificates where needed
- Professional translations: all documents not in English or French require certified translation
Why Timing Matters
Two factors make the current moment particularly relevant for potential applicants. First, processing times are still rising. The 25-month figure is a current average — with the backlog growing, it could stretch further. Second, while Bill C-3 has no explicit deadline, the implementation details and documentary requirements may evolve as IRCC gains experience with the new rules.
For Americans with Canadian ancestry, the political climate in the U.S. is also a motivating factor. A Canadian passport adds an option — whether for work, residency, or travel — in a country where immigration and citizenship policy remain unpredictable.
What to Watch Next
- Whether IRCC releases more detailed backlog data by application type
- If processing times continue to extend beyond the current 25-month average
- Any supplementary regulations or guidance documents related to Bill C-3 implementation
- Changes in U.S. policy on dual citizenship requirements
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, consider consulting a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer for an initial assessment. Submitting an incomplete application wastes time and may result in rejection — a delay that matters when queues are already this long.