PR & Citizenship Update — October 8, 2026
Thursday, October 8, 2026
IRCC's application processing system data (as of July 31, 2026) shows applications are queued against annual levels targets — when targets are full, applications wait until the next year, directly impacting processing times.
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan holds permanent resident admissions steady at 380,000 per year while reducing temporary resident numbers, signaling a shift from growth to refinement in Canada's immigration strategy.
Canadian citizenship ceremonies are most commonly held virtually via video conference; applicants must take the oath, sing the national anthem, and sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship (OAC) form to receive their citizenship certificate.
What You Should Do
- Check IRCC's open data dashboard at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/reports-statistics/statistics-open-data/immigration-stats/application-processing-system.html to see current application volumes and whether your program category has space remaining in the 2026 levels targets.
- If you have received a citizenship ceremony invitation, confirm the format (virtual or in-person) in the invitation letter, practice the oath of citizenship in your preferred language (English or French) before the ceremony date, and ensure you have your signed Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship (OAC) form ready.
- If you need accommodations for the citizenship oath (e.g., physical or language support) or believe you qualify for a waiver, contact IRCC before your ceremony date to request them — do not wait until the ceremony itself.
- If you are planning a PR or citizenship application in 2026, review the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan priorities (labour market needs, French language, and in-Canada experience) at immigration.ca to assess which pathway best fits your profile before applying.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan keeps permanent resident admissions at 380,000 per year while reducing temporary residents, with IRCC prioritizing applicants who meet labour market needs, speak French, or have demonstrated in-Canada success.
Citizenship Processing Improvements: Virtual citizenship ceremonies via video conference are now the most common format; ceremonies require taking the oath, singing the national anthem, and signing the OAC form, after which a citizenship certificate is issued.
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