Getting Canadian citizenship just got easier, for some
April 13, 2026Minister Confirms IRCC Is Not Finalizing New Bill C-3 Citizenship Applications While Review Continues
June 24, 2026
Cassandra Fultz, RCIC-IRB
Update – June 24, 2026
Following questions from the Canadian Press at the recent Federal-Provincial-Territorial Immigration Ministers' meeting, Minister of Immigration Lina Diab confirmed that IRCC is still investigating what led to the recent citizenship certificate review letters sent to certain applicants who obtained citizenship under Bill C-3 and the Lost Canadians provisions.
The Minister also confirmed that:
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IRCC is not currently finalizing new Bill C-3 citizenship applications while the review is underway.
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Existing approved applications are being reviewed.
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Individuals affected by the review will retain their current status while the review continues.
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The department is still investigating how the situation occurred.
Notably, the Minister did not identify a specific cause for the issue and did not confirm whether it resulted from documentation concerns, processing errors, artificial intelligence tools, individual officer decisions, or any other particular factor. Documentary evidence may still be part of the story, but the Minister's comments suggest the department itself is still determining exactly what happened.
This article has been updated to reflect that information.
→ Watch Minister Lina Diab's Comments on CPAC:
Over the past week, many people have contacted our office after seeing reports that some individuals who recently obtained Canadian citizenship under the Lost Canadians provisions (Bill C-3 and previous interim measures) have received letters from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) demanding the return of their citizenship certificates while their files undergo further review.
The news has understandably caused anxiety among applicants, new Canadian citizens, and families who have spent months or even years gathering documents to establish their entitlement to Canadian citizenship by descent.
If you have seen these reports, the most important thing to understand is this:
- Bill C-3 remains in force.
- Citizenship by descent remains available.
- Receiving one of these letters does not automatically mean someone has lost Canadian citizenship.
At Doherty Fultz Immigration, we have been following these developments closely and speaking with affected applicants, clients, and members of the Lost Canadian community.
Last week, our founder, Cassandra Fultz, was interviewed by CBC News regarding these developments and the concerns being raised by affected applicants. You can watch that segment here:
In this article, we explain what has happened, what we know, what remains unclear, and what current and future applicants should do next.
What Happened?
Several individuals who recently received Canadian citizenship certificates under Bill C-3 and the previous interim measures have reported receiving letters from IRCC requesting that they surrender their citizenship certificates pending further review.
According to public statements made by IRCC, only a limited number of files are being reviewed.
The department has also stated that affected individuals will have an opportunity to provide additional information or evidence supporting their entitlement to Canadian citizenship before any final determination is made.
While the letters themselves have understandably caused alarm, it is important to distinguish between a citizenship certificate and citizenship status.
That distinction is at the heart of much of the confusion surrounding this issue.
Does This Mean People Are Losing Canadian Citizenship?
No.
A citizenship certificate is evidence of Canadian citizenship. It is the document used to prove citizenship status for purposes such as obtaining a Canadian passport.
Receiving a letter requesting the return of a citizenship certificate is not the same thing as receiving a final determination that citizenship has been revoked.
Individuals who have received these letters remain Canadian citizens while IRCC reviews their files.
This is an important point because many people have interpreted the recent reports as meaning that IRCC has suddenly decided to take citizenship away from approved applicants.
That is not what has happened.
Rather, IRCC appears to be reviewing whether certain applications were approved appropriately and whether sufficient evidence was provided to support those approvals.
Has Bill C-3 Been Repealed or Suspended?
No.
Bill C-3 remains in force.
The Lost Canadians legislation has not been repealed, suspended, or overturned.
Individuals who qualify for Canadian citizenship under the current law remain eligible to apply.
Nothing in the recent developments suggests that Canada has reversed its position on citizenship by descent or that eligible descendants of Canadians have lost their ability to make a claim.
This appears to be a review of a limited number of individual files rather than a change in government policy.
For people considering applying for Canadian citizenship through descent, this is perhaps the most important takeaway.
What We Know
Based on public statements by IRCC and reports from affected applicants, we currently know the following:
- IRCC has confirmed that a limited number of recently approved citizenship applications are being reviewed.
- Some applicants have received letters demanding the return of their citizenship certificates.
- Those individuals have been given an opportunity to provide additional evidence supporting their claims.
- IRCC has stated that citizenship certificates will be returned if the review confirms that the applicant is entitled to citizenship.
- Some new Canadians who received the suspension letter have already had their citizenship certificates reinstated.
- Bill C-3 remains in force and citizenship by descent remains available.
Most importantly for our clients:
As of the date of publication, our office has not had a single client who obtained citizenship under either the interim measures or Bill C-3 receive one of these review letters.
While every case is unique and past results never guarantee future outcomes, we believe there are important lessons that can be drawn from how these applications were prepared.
What We Do Not Yet Know
There are still significant unanswered questions.
At present, we do not know:
- Exactly how many applicants have received these letters.
- Whether all affected files were reviewed by the same officer or processing team.
- Whether the review is limited to specific generations of descendants.
- Whether particular categories of documentation are being scrutinized.
- How IRCC identified the files being reviewed.
- Whether additional approved applications will be reviewed in the future.
- How long the review process will take.
- What evidentiary standard IRCC will ultimately apply during the review.
It is important not to overstate what is known at this stage.
Many theories are currently circulating online, but IRCC has not publicly provided detailed explanations regarding the reason these particular files were selected for review.
Why Documentary Evidence May Be at the Heart of the Issue
One recurring theme in the publicly reported cases is the quality and source of the documents used to support citizenship claims.
While IRCC has not publicly confirmed the specific reason for the reviews, there are indications that documentary evidence may be playing a significant role.
Many applicants researching their Canadian ancestry rely heavily on websites such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and similar genealogical databases.
These resources can be extremely valuable.
We use them ourselves.However, they are best understood as research tools and supporting evidence rather than substitutes for primary-source documents.
A census record found on Ancestry.com may help establish where a family lived. A military record may help confirm family relationships. A historical index entry may point researchers toward the existence of a birth record.
But these documents are generally not a replacement for original vital statistics records issued by the government authority responsible for maintaining those records.
At Doherty Fultz Immigration, we routinely use genealogical records as secondary and tertiary evidence. We do not use them as the sole basis for citizenship applications.
Whenever possible, our applications include original records, certified copies, government-issued vital statistics records, archival records, and other primary-source documentation.
When records are unavailable, we explain what efforts have been made to locate them and document those efforts in our submissions.
This has been our approach long before the current controversy emerged, as it has always been a requirement for Canadian citizenship through descent applications.
Why the June 17 IRCC Update Matters
On June 17, IRCC updated its public guidance regarding citizenship by descent applications.
The updated instructions emphasize that applicants should provide certified copies issued by the appropriate government authority whenever such documents are available.
You can review the updated instructions here:
While IRCC has not directly linked this change to the current reviews, the timing has attracted considerable attention.
The updated language reinforces a principle that immigration professionals have long understood:
Original records and certified copies carry significantly greater evidentiary value than copies of copies obtained through third-party sources.
For applicants who are currently preparing citizenship by descent applications, this update is important. For individuals who have already been approved but never obtained replacement originals for missing records, now may be a good time to do so.
What Happens if IRCC Ultimately Determines Citizenship Was Granted in Error?
This is the question many people are asking. The answer is that affected applicants may still have legal options.
Every case is different, and anyone facing such a situation should obtain professional legal advice.
However, potential options may include:
- Responding to IRCC's concerns with additional documentary evidence.
- Seeking review of an adverse decision through the Federal Court.
- Submitting a new citizenship application supported by additional evidence.
The important point is that receiving a review letter is not necessarily the end of the process.
Applicants continue to have procedural rights and opportunities to address concerns raised by IRCC. However, anytime someone receives a Procedural Fairness letter from IRCC, we recommend that they obtain legal advice rather than attempting to muddle through by DIYing with the help of AI and social media, which are full of misinformation.
What This Means for Future Applicants
Some people who were planning to apply under Bill C-3 are now asking whether they should wait.
Our answer is generally no.
Nothing about the recent developments suggests that qualified applicants should abandon plans to pursue Canadian citizenship by descent. The law remains unchanged.
Eligible descendants of Canadians remain eligible to apply.
What these developments do demonstrate is the importance of preparing applications carefully and supporting them with appropriate documentary evidence from the outset.
Citizenship by descent cases often involve:
- Historical records
- Multiple generations
- International document searches
- Name changes
- Adoptions
- Military records
- Complex citizenship law questions
These cases are frequently more complicated than they initially appear. It’s common for documents to be not only missing, but unobtainable. This does not mean an application will be refused; it does mean that it requires special consideration when preparing the application.
The current situation highlights why thorough preparation matters.
What Should You Do If You Have Already Been Approved?
If you have already received your citizenship certificate, here are some best practices which are generally applicable:
- Do not panic.
- Retain all original documents supporting your application.
- Obtain replacement originals if you previously relied on copies and originals are available.
- Monitor correspondence from IRCC.
- Seek professional advice immediately if you receive a review letter.
If you receive a letter directly from IRCC, contact your legal representative without delay.
In many cases, IRCC correspondence should also be sent to the authorized representative listed on your file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I still apply under Bill C-3?
Yes.
Bill C-3 remains in force and eligible descendants of Canadians continue to have the right to apply.
Can IRCC take away my citizenship?
Canadian citizenship cannot simply be revoked without process.
Individuals who receive review letters remain entitled to procedural fairness and opportunities to respond.
What if my application used Ancestry.com records?
Using genealogical records is not necessarily a problem.
The issue is whether sufficient primary-source evidence exists to establish entitlement to citizenship.
Genealogical records are often excellent supporting evidence but should generally not be the sole evidence relied upon.
What if I have already moved to Canada?
At present, there is no indication that individuals who have received review letters should immediately alter their plans.
Anyone with concerns about their specific circumstances should seek individualized legal advice.
Should I obtain original records even after my application is approved?
Yes.
If original or certified records are available and you do not currently have them, we strongly recommend obtaining them.
This can help address future requests from IRCC if they arise.
Our Perspective
While the recent reports are understandably unsettling, they should not be interpreted as a reversal of Canada's citizenship by descent laws.
At this stage, the evidence suggests that IRCC is reviewing a limited number of approved files rather than changing the underlying law.
For future applicants, the lesson is not that citizenship by descent has become unavailable.
The lesson is that documentary evidence matters.
Properly prepared applications supported by strong primary-source documentation remain the best way to establish entitlement to Canadian citizenship.
Need Help With a Citizenship by Descent Application?
Whether you are considering applying under Bill C-3, have received correspondence from IRCC, or would like a professional review of your eligibility, our team would be happy to help.
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