Canada pauses citizenship‑by‑descent approvals as IRCC reviews surrender letters

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) has temporarily halted the finalization of some citizenship‑by‑descent applications after a number of recipients received letters ordering them to surrender their citizenship certificates. The pause follows a review triggered by “a few dozen” cases where the department found that applicants had not provided original source documents or sufficient evidence of attempts to obtain them.

Under the law that took effect on Dec. 15, 2025, people born before that date may claim Canadian citizenship if they can prove a direct Canadian ancestor in each generation. Immigration Minister Lena Diab emphasized that “genealogy websites are not enough” and that only authenticated, primary‑source documents satisfy the requirement.

Several immigration lawyers have challenged the minister’s stance, noting that government checklists do allow records from archives and that sites such as Ancestry can be used when the original source is cited. Affected individuals reported uncertainty over work permits and other benefits, while IRCC assures that those already in Canada may continue working but cannot use Canadian passports until the review is completed. The department has also updated its guidance to accept certified baptismal records in place of birth certificates.