Could Canada End Virtual Citizenship Ceremonies?

Supporters of the idea say in-person ceremonies are more meaningful and help build a stronger sense of citizenship. However, removing virtual options could affect processing times, accessibility, and costs for many applicants.  

In this article we’ll cover why virtual ceremonies are important, the problems in-person ones can present, and how possible changes could affect applicants. 

Why Virtual Citizenship Ceremonies Were Introduced 

Virtual citizenship ceremonies were not always part of Canada’s system. They were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep citizenship processing moving while offices were closed. 

IRCC later added a self-administered oath option, which lets eligible applicants take the oath privately and submit confirmation online. 

Over time, virtual ceremonies became helpful beyond the pandemic. They allowed Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process applications faster and reduce backlogs.  

In early 2022, many citizenship applications were taking over one year to process. By late 2023, processing times improved, and most applications were being completed within the government’s 12-month target. 

As a result, more people were able to become citizens each year. In 2022, about 358,000 people took the citizenship oath, compared to around 250,000 people in 2019, before virtual ceremonies existed. But even today, with these improvements, nearly 258,000 citizenship applications are still waiting to be processed. 

Why Some Leaders Want Virtual Ceremonies to End

Supporters of in-person citizenship ceremonies say the experience feels more meaningful when it happens in a shared space. They believe standing with other new Canadians, officials, and family members helps build a stronger sense of connection and pride. 

For these supporters, virtual ceremonies can feel less special and too similar to a regular video call. 

Why Virtual Citizenship Ceremonies Are Beneficial

Supporters of virtual ceremonies argue they help fix real problems in the citizenship system. Even before COVID, in-person ceremonies caused delays because they depended on limited venues, staff availability, and fixed schedules. Many applicants waited months after approval just to attend a ceremony. 

Virtual ceremonies help by: 

• Reducing delays caused by limited ceremony dates

• Lowering travel costs and time off work

• Making it easier for people in remote areas to attend

• Improving access for families, caregivers, and people with disabilities

• Allowing scheduling to be more flexible 

For many applicants, virtual options make the final step of citizenship simpler, faster, and more accessible. 

IRCC Continues to Support Virtual Options 

While some politicians are calling for an end to virtual ceremonies, the federal government has said it remains committed to offering both in-person and virtual options. That means it’s unlikely that virtual ceremonies will end in the near future. 

Applicants should watch for updates from IRCC about ceremony formats, scheduling, and processing timelines. For those close to becoming citizens, staying informed can help prevent delays and unexpected changes.