How to Qualify for Urgent Processing for your Canadian Citizenship Application

On This Page You Will Find

• What urgent citizenship processing means
• How new citizenship by descent rules may affect you
• Who qualifies for urgent processing
• How to request urgent processing before or after applying
• What documents strengthen your request
• What to expect after submitting your request

Canada normally takes about 13 months to process a citizenship application. However, in truly exceptional situations, you may ask Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to handle your file faster through urgent processing.

Urgent processing is not routine. Officers review each request carefully, and approval is never guaranteed. Still, if your situation meets the criteria and you provide strong proof, you may receive a faster decision.

Major Citizenship Rule Changes You Should Know About

Recent legal changes may also affect who is already considered Canadian.

Canada has completed a long-overdue overhaul of its citizenship by descent rules. Bill C-3 is now in force, permanently ending the first-generation limit that prevented many people born abroad from being recognised as Canadian citizens.

The amended Citizenship Act restores citizenship to individuals excluded only because their Canadian parent was also born or adopted outside Canada. For affected families, this is settled law. People who qualify are now considered Canadian citizens and can apply for proof of citizenship.

The law also creates a long-term framework. Citizenship by descent can extend beyond the first generation, but only where there is a meaningful connection to Canada. This balances fairness for so-called Lost Canadians with limits on automatic citizenship transmission.

If you now qualify under these new rules and need proof of citizenship urgently, you may also request urgent processing of your proof application.

Who Qualifies for Urgent Citizenship Processing?

IRCC only grants urgent processing in exceptional cases. These typically include situations where citizenship is required immediately for serious employment or humanitarian reasons.

You may qualify if you need Canadian citizenship to:

• Apply for a job that legally requires Canadian citizenship
• Avoid losing your current job
• Travel urgently due to a death or serious illness in your family and you cannot obtain a passport from your other nationality
• Act on a successful decision from the Federal Court related to a previous citizenship application

Even if you meet one of these conditions, IRCC may still refuse urgent processing. In some cases, officers may approve the request but still not finish in time to meet your deadline.

Situations That Do Not Qualify

Wanting to travel for a vacation, attend a wedding, or make future plans will not qualify. Financial convenience, general delays, or personal preference are also not considered urgent grounds.

You must show that a serious, time-sensitive consequence will happen without citizenship.

If You Have Not Yet Applied

You can request urgent processing when you first submit your citizenship application.

You must:

• Download and complete the correct citizenship application package
• Answer all questions fully
• Write a clear explanation of why you need urgent processing
• Include documents that prove your urgency

Your envelope must contain:

• Your full application
• Your written explanation
• Supporting documents
• Photos
• Proof of fee payment

Write: Request Urgent Processing – Grant of Citizenship in large, dark letters on the outside of the envelope.

Mail your package.

If You Already Applied and Your Situation Became Urgent

If your situation changes after you apply, you must contact IRCC using its web form.

Include:

• Your full name
• Date of birth
• Email address and phone number
• Your UCI or application number
• A detailed explanation of the urgent situation
• Supporting documents

Accepted file formats include PDF, JPEG, TIFF, DOC and DOCX.

File size limits are strict:

• Each file must be 2 MB or less
• Total combined files must be 3.5 MB or less

If your files are too large, you must reduce their size before uploading.

What Makes a Strong Urgent Request?

A strong request clearly explains the consequences and includes solid proof.

Helpful documents may include:

• A letter from an employer confirming a job offer or job loss risk
• A death certificate or doctor’s letter showing serious illness
• Legal documents linked to a court decision
• Travel documents showing urgency

The more direct and official the evidence, the better your chances.

What Happens After You Apply?

IRCC reviews urgent requests individually. Officers first decide whether your case meets the urgent criteria. If approved, your file moves ahead of routine cases.

However, urgent does not mean immediate. You may still need to complete steps such as the citizenship test, interview, or oath ceremony before becoming a citizen.

If IRCC refuses your urgent request, your application continues under normal processing times.

FAQ