IRCC review of proof of citizenship: what changed and what to do if you were affected | ImmigraCan

IRCC review of proof of citizenship: what changed and what to do if you were affected

On 2026-07-09, the Canadian immigration landscape saw a relevant update for Brazilians who are planning or already in process with IRCC. The information comes from CIC News (original source), a network specialized in Canadian immigration.

Canadian citizenship is the final step of the immigration journey and comes with rights that permanent residence doesn't offer: a Canadian passport (visa-free access to 139 countries), the right to vote in federal and provincial elections, and Canadian consular protection. For Brazilians, it also means dual citizenship — Canada allows it, and Brazil accepts it.

Basic requirements (adults)

To qualify today:

• Residency: 1,095 physical days in Canada in the last 5 years (3 years as a PR count in full; up to 365 days as a temporary resident count at half value)
• Taxes: filed for the required years
• Language: CLB 4 in English or French (demonstrated through IELTS General, CELPIP General, or a certified LINC class)
• Citizenship test: 20 questions about Canadian history, geography, and rights (for those aged 18–54)
• No prohibitions: no relevant criminal record, no inadmissibility

Context behind this change

Citizenship remains a strategic priority for Canada — in 2024 and 2025, the government set records for newly naturalized citizens. The infrastructure, however, hasn't kept pace: application queues are at historic highs.

What Brazilians should do

1. Track your physical days — use a spreadsheet or IRCC's official "Physical Presence Calculator" app. Being off by even 1 day can invalidate your application
2. Renew your PR Card BEFORE applying — if it's close to expiring
3. Pass CLB 4 early — even if your English is good, the test has its own quirks
4. Study for Discover Canada — the free official guide, the basis of the citizenship test
5. Prepare for a 12–24 month wait — current processing times are well beyond historical norms

What if you want citizenship by descent?

Brazilians with Canadian great-grandparents/grandparents (or Canadian parents born outside Canada) may be entitled to citizenship by descent under Bill C-3 (2009) and the ongoing reforms. This is a separate legal pathway from the standard immigration process — see our guide on citizenship by descent if this is your case.

Next steps

• If you're a PR and have reached 1,095 days, check the document checklist
• If you're not yet a PR, the path to citizenship starts here: take the free quiz

Conclusion

IRCC policy changes affect Brazilians differently depending on profile, application stage, and current status. This is just a snapshot of a 2026-07-09 update — for the full picture of your case, take ImmigraCan's free eligibility quiz.

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*This content is informational and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or IRCC. Always confirm official information at canada.ca and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a specialized lawyer. Source: CIC News.*