On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3 (Act to Amend the Citizenship Act) came into effect, removing the controversial first-generation limit on citizenship by descent.
What Changed
Previously, Canadian citizenship could only be passed to the first generation born abroad. If your parent was born in Canada but you were born in another country, you were Canadian. But your children — the second generation — were not.
Bill C-3 removes this limit. Now, citizenship can be passed down regardless of how many generations have lived abroad, as long as you can document the connection.
Who This Affects
- Americans with Canadian grandparents or great-grandparents
- Children adopted by Canadians abroad — adoption and birth lineage treated equally
- Canadians living abroad who want to pass citizenship to their children
How to Claim Citizenship by Descent
- Gather documentation proving your Canadian ancestor (birth certificates, immigration records)
- Apply for a citizenship certificate through IRCC
- You do NOT need to take the citizenship test if claiming by descent
- Processing takes approximately 12-18 months
Important Note
Citizenship by descent is different from citizenship through naturalization. If you're a permanent resident preparing for the citizenship test, Bill C-3 doesn't change your process — you still need to pass the citizenship test based on the Discover Canada guide.
Check your eligibility and learn more at the official IRCC citizenship page.