OTTAWA:- The Canadian government has implemented new citizenship rules for Canadians born or adopted abroad, effective today. Bill C-3, which amends the Citizenship Act (2025), came into effect today.
Under the new rules, people born before December 15, 2025, who would have been citizens if it weren’t for the first-generation limit or other old rules, will become Canadians and can now apply for proof of citizenship.
According to the rules, A Canadian parent born or adopted abroad can now pass on citizenship to their child born or adopted outside Canada today or in the future, provided they can demonstrate at the time of application that they spent three years in Canada prior to their child’s birth or adoption. This approach supports fairness and clarity for Canadian families abroad while reinforcing the principle that real, demonstrated ties to Canada guide citizenship by descent.
The government claims to support fairness and clarity for Canadian families abroad, while reinforcing the principle that genuine, demonstrated ties to Canada guide citizenship based on descent.
This moment has been long awaited for Canadians. Today’s changes affirm their place in the Canadian family and strengthen the sense of belonging that citizenship represents.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab said, “These changes to our citizenship law reflect how Canadian families live today. Many Canadians choose to study abroad, travel to experience another culture, or relocate for family or personal reasons and still have a meaningful connection to our country. This new legislation strengthens the bond between Canadians at home and around the world, and reaffirms the values we hold as a nation.”
Remember, the first Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947 included many provisions that resulted in many people never obtaining Canadian citizenship. Changes made in 2009 and 2015 restored or granted citizenship to many of these “lost Canadians.” As a result, nearly 20,000 people came forward seeking proof of Canadian citizenship.
On December 19, 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that key parts of the Citizenship Act relating to the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent were unconstitutional. The Government of Canada did not appeal the ruling, as it agreed the law had unacceptable outcomes for children of Canadians who were born outside the country.
In response to the court’s 2023 ruling, the IRCC announced interim measures to help those affected by the first-generation limit. Applications will be accepted using the new rules as the Citizenship Act is amended.