06/18/2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reportedly suspended and requested the surrender of certain recently issued Canadian citizenship certificates from individuals who obtained citizenship through Canada’s expanded citizenship-by-descent provisions under Bill C-3.
According to reports, the review focuses on applicants who may not have provided original genealogical records directly from official government authorities or sufficient explanations regarding unavailable source documents. The certificates under scrutiny were issued following the December 2025 legislative changes that removed the historic first-generation limit for citizenship transmission to children born abroad.
Individuals receiving review notices are not automatically losing citizenship. IRCC has indicated that affected applicants will have an opportunity to submit additional evidence and supporting documentation to confirm their eligibility. Cases found to be properly documented may result in certificates being reinstated, while fraudulent or insufficient claims could face cancellation.
This development appears to affect only a limited group of citizenship-by-descent applicants and does not impact permanent residents, naturalized Canadian citizens, or individuals pursuing standard immigration pathways.
Anyone receiving a surrender notice should promptly review the request, obtain their case records, and gather certified birth, citizenship, and naturalization documents from the relevant government archives.