Maple News reports that four months after millions of Americans became Canadian citizens, applicants for proof-of-citizenship certificates are facing wait times roughly double what they were a year ago. The shift is driven by policy changes, not staffing cuts or bureaucratic delays.
In December 2025, Canada amended its citizenship rules to eliminate the generation gap for citizenship by descent. This means that anyone born before December 15, 2025 who can trace an unbroken line of descent to a Canadian ancestor—whether a grandparent, great-grandparent, or further back—may now be eligible to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship.
The widening eligibility pool has deep roots in history. Between 1840 and 1930, about 900,000 Canadians left for industrial centers in New England and the Midwest, shaping family ties across the border. Today, the expansion of descent-based eligibility has sparked renewed interest among U.S. residents, with estimates suggesting a sizable share of New England residents could qualify, potentially pushing the eligible population into the millions.
Early 2026 data show a notable uptick in applications by descent. Many applicants have no immediate plans to move to Canada but seek the rights and opportunities that come with dual citizenship, including a Canadian passport and increased mobility within the Commonwealth and beyond. Dual citizenship is recognized by both governments and does not change U.S. status or impose new U.S. tax obligations.
Canada’s processing times for proof-of-citizenship certificates are described as forward-looking, reflecting current queues, staffing, and anticipated inflows. The Atlantic Immigration Program, for example, has seen its processing time rise dramatically—from about nine months at the start of 2025 to roughly 37 months by late 2025. Citizenship certificate wait times have followed a similar trend: about three months in mid-2024, five months by mid-2025, and about ten months today. While ten months is manageable for a status without an expiry, the trajectory suggests further lengthening if application volumes continue to surge.
For individuals with a Canadian-born grandparent or great-grandparent, applying now could mean a significantly shorter path to recognition than waiting years in backlog. Maple News recommends readers evaluate eligibility through descent-based criteria and plan accordingly, given the potential for long processing timelines amid a growing backlog.