India, Sept. 2 -- Canada is offering urgent processing for some proof of citizenship applications from people planning to study in the country, potentially allowing eligible applicants to receive their citizenship certificates before their academic programs begin.

The option could be particularly relevant to Indians who may have a Canadian parent, grandparent or other family connection that gives them a potential claim to Canadian citizenship by descent.

Applications for proof of Canadian citizenship have faced significant delays after changes to citizenship-by-descent rules expanded eligibility.

According to CIC News, processing times had reached 25 months in August, leaving applicants facing waits of more than two years in many cases...