IRCC pauses final processing of some citizenship cases approved under Bill C-3

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily paused the final processing of some citizenship cases approved under Bill C-3, commonly known as the "Lost Canadians" legislation.

According to IRCC, several dozen individuals have received notices asking them to surrender citizenship certificates that had already been issued while the department reviews their files. The department says the affected cases are undergoing additional document verification.

In a statement, IRCC said individuals who have already received citizenship certificates and moved to Canada may continue to live and work in the country during the review process. However, affected individuals are being advised that they cannot use a Canadian passport while the investigation is underway.

Bill C-3, which came into force on Dec. 15, 2025, expanded access to Canadian citizenship for people with Canadian ancestry, including descendants of Canadians who left the country generations ago. The department says approximately 4,100 people have obtained Canadian citizenship under the legislation so far.

Letters sent to affected applicants state that either original supporting documents were not provided or sufficient evidence was not submitted to demonstrate that original records could not be obtained. IRCC says the review remains ongoing and affected individuals will be contacted directly regarding any decisions related to their status.