Canada has updated its guidance on documents required for citizenship-by-descent applications after completing a review of citizenship certificates issued under Bill C-3. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it found that unclear guidance for both immigration officers and applicants may have contributed to some citizenship certificates being issued without sufficient supporting evidence.
The department said it has now reinforced its guidance for officers and provided clearer information to applicants about the documentation they must submit to establish eligibility for Canadian citizenship by descent.
The changes follow a department-wide review that began in early June after IRCC identified 100 citizenship certificates issued under Bill C-3 with potentially insufficient supporting documentation. The department temporarily suspended those certificates while it verified applicants' eligibility.
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To ensure consistent assessment of citizenship-by-descent applications, IRCC expanded the review to around 6,500 applications received under Bill C-3. The department said the review has now been completed.
