Some Permanent Residence Applications Put on Hold as Applicants Explore Citizenship Through Ancestry, Applicants face uncertainty as citizenship certificate processing times reportedly reach 34 months.
By Shah J. Choudhury | November 5, 2026
Canada’s recently amended citizenship law, Bill C-3, is creating unexpected complications for some permanent residence (PR) applicants. Immigration authorities have reportedly paused the processing of certain PR applications while determining whether applicants may qualify for Canadian citizenship through ancestry.
According to a CBC News report, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily placed some permanent residence applications on hold when applicants may already be eligible for Canadian citizenship through a Canadian-born ancestor. The department has not confirmed how many applicants are affected.
Why Are Some PR Applications Being Delayed?
The CBC report highlights the case of Michelle Pothier and her wife, Lindsay Jade Higgins, who planned to move from Maine to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Higgins initially applied for permanent residence through spousal sponsorship. However, while researching her family history, she discovered that her great-grandmother was Canadian. The couple subsequently pursued a citizenship application based on ancestry.
As a result, Higgins’ PR application was put on hold while the citizenship application was being processed. Her husband was able to begin working in Canada, but she remained in the United States awaiting a decision.
Citizenship Processing Delays Add to Uncertainty
According to the CBC report, applicants seeking spousal sponsorship from outside Canada may currently face an estimated 18-month wait for permanent residence processing. Meanwhile, obtaining a Canadian citizenship certificate can take approximately 34 months.
IRCC’s position is that an individual cannot simultaneously hold permanent resident and Canadian citizen status. If citizenship is confirmed, the PR application will be treated as withdrawn. If citizenship is not established, the permanent residence application can resume processing from where it was paused.
Immigration Advocates Raise Concerns
Immigration lawyers say applicants pursuing citizenship through ancestry while simultaneously applying for permanent residence may face uncertainty because of the lack of clear procedural guidance.
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan has also called for greater clarity from the federal government regarding the situation.
Important Clarification for Applicants
Bill C-3 does not place all permanent residence applications on hold. The reported delays concern certain applicants whose eligibility for Canadian citizenship through ancestry may affect their ongoing PR applications.
Applicants should carefully review their individual circumstances and seek advice from a qualified Canadian immigration lawyer before making decisions about withdrawing or changing an application.
Source: CBC News | Elizabeth Thompson | November 5, 2026
