Background <p>The time from the initial diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) to the index ablation procedure, known as diagnosis-to-ablation time (DAT), is a modifiable risk factor that is correlated to affect the recurrence of AF. The objective of this meta-analysis was to examine the correlation between diagnosis-to-ablation time and AF recurrence.</p> Methods <p>A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library from database inception till June 2024. Studies reporting diagnosis-to-ablation time and its relation with AF recurrence were included. The primary analysis evaluated outcomes segregated by DAT ≤ 1&#xa0;year versus &gt; 1&#xa0;year. Random-effects model with the Mantel–Haenszel method was used to evaluate AF recurrence.</p> Results <p>Of the 9177 articles, only 6 observational studies got through the inclusion criteria with a total participant count of 14,862. DAT of greater than 1&#xa0;year was associated with increased risk of AF recurrence in all the included studies while DAT of ≤ 1&#xa0;year was correlated with lower risk of AF recurrence (RR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.73–0.79); <i>P</i> &lt; 0.01). Similarly, DAT of ≤ 3&#xa0;years was correlated with lower AF recurrence risk (RR, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.79–0.85); <i>P</i> &lt; 0.01).</p> Conclusion <p>Evidence from observational cohorts suggests that the optimum time for ablation in AF patients is less than 1&#xa0;year and a DAT of ≤ 1&#xa0;year is linked to 24% lower chances of recurrence in AF patients, compared to DAT of ≥ 1&#xa0;year.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>