Post by Ibadan Watch (@Ibadanwatch)

Canada Extends Processing Time for Proof of Citizenship Applications.

The Canadian government announced that proof of citizenship processing time has increased to 19 months, as reported by IRCC.com, the country’s immigration website.

The change, effective immediately, affects all applications. Although not affiliated with the government, IRCC said this increase is significant, as processing times had been rising over the past year.

“Historically, the processing time for proof of citizenship had been much shorter, typically ranging from a few months to a year. The current backlog, which is nearing 100,000 applications, is a major factor contributing to the prolonged processing times.

This surge in applications can be attributed to the growing demand for Canadian citizenship, driven by the country’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive society.

“The specific mechanics of the proof of citizenship application process remain unchanged, with applicants still required to submit their applications through the official government website or by mail.”

The report also maintained that the eligibility criteria, document requirements, and fees associated with the application remain the same.

However, the increased processing time means that applicants will have to wait longer to receive their proof of citizenship, which can impact their ability to access certain benefits and services.

Although the country’s immigration has not provided a direct quote on this matter but a check by our correspondent on the country’s website (Canada.ca) simply confirmed the new processing time and encouraged applicants to check their application status online.

It further warned, “Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda are temporarily not permitted to travel to Canada.

“We aren’t finalizing applications from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan at this time. Because of this, your processing time may be longer than the times shown below if the last country of residence on your application was one of these countries.”

The rise in processing times correlates with a surge in Canadian citizenship applications following December 2025 amendments to the citizenship-by-descent law, which expanded eligibility for those born abroad with Canadian ancestry. This increased demand for citizenship certificates, essential for Canadian passports.

Canadian immigration outlet CIC News, citing IRCC data, reported that the U.S. submitted the most proof of citizenship applications after the new rules. In January 2026, nearly 2,500 applications from Americans, about ten times the UK’s, with the U.S. outnumbering the next nine countries combined.

There are no official figures for Nigerian applicants in 2025 or 2026. Nigeria remains a top source for Canadian permanent residents and students but is not among the countries with the highest citizenship applications published by Canadian authorities.

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