Canadian Citizenship New Rules 2025: Bill C-3, First-Generation Limit & Citizenship by Descent Explained

Canada has made major changes to its Canadian citizenship laws in 2025. These changes come through Bill C-3, also known as the Act to Amend the Citizenship Act., which came into force on December 15, 2025. This new bill replaces the First Generation limit to Citizenship that meant anyone born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent, after April 2009, was only Canadian if their parent was born in Canada or a naturalized citizen.

The new rules, as set out in the legislation that Canada passed, affect:

• people with a Canadian parent
• people born outside Canada (or born abroad)
• people who lost Canadian citizenship under previous provisions
• parents working abroad, including the Canadian Armed Forces and the federal public administration

In 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first generation limit was unfair and unconstitutional, and the federal government brought forward Bill C-3 to fix it. Bill C-3 has received Royal Assent and is now in force, meaning the new Canadian citizenship rules are officially being applied.



This guide explains the new Canadian citizenship rules 2025 in simple English so families abroad can understand their rights under the legislation and new legislation.

Overview of Canada’s New Citizenship Rules (2025)

The Bill C-3 that Amends the Citizenship Act

Bill C-3 changes the Citizenship Act to:

• remove the strict first generation limit rule for people already born abroad
• restore citizenship to people who lost citizenship under old laws
• allow some children born outside of Canada to receive citizenship automatically
• set new requirements for future generations
• update rules for adopted children
• improve access to proof of citizenship through a citizenship certificate
• clarify rights for people in special situations, including foreign diplomats

Who benefits from the new law

These groups may benefit:

• individuals born or adopted outside Canada to a parent who is a Canadian citizen
• Canadians born abroad who wish to pass on citizenship to their children
• people affected by the old age-28 retention rule
• people who were denied citizenship under previous laws
• families with children adopted abroad
• children of Canadians working globally
• people applying under the interim citizenship process before the new law starts

Who does not benefit

The following groups usually do not qualify:

• people with no Canadian parent
• children born outside Canada starting Dec 15, 2025 if the Canadian parent does not meet the physical presence requirement
• individuals who only have a Canadian grandparent (you cannot “skip” the parent)

Royal Assent and when the new law starts

Bill C-3 has received Royal Assent and is now in force, meaning the amended Citizenship Act is officially in effect.

The federal government has brought the new law into force, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now applying the updated rules to citizenship applications.

Applications that were submitted under the interim measure, which allowed affected individuals to apply for a discretionary grant of citizenship while legislative amendments were pending, are being assessed under the new law. Individuals who applied for citizenship under interim measures do not need to reapply, as their applications will be processed under the new rules.



The new law is expected to affect between 350,000 and 500,000 individuals who may become Canadian citizens under the new citizenship-by-descent rules.

Understanding the First-Generation Limit

What is the first-generation limit under Canadian Citizenship Act?

Old Rule vs. New Rule: Canadian Citizenship by Descent

Under the old Citizenship Act, a child born outside Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen only if:

• at least one parent was born in Canada, or
• the parent became a naturalized citizen before the child’s birth

The location and timing of the child's birth are crucial in determining eligibility for Canadian citizenship under these rules. If the Canadian parent was also born abroad, they cannot pass citizenship automatically. This is the ‘first generation limit’ which created the “second generation born abroad” problem.



The first-generation limit created a class of ‘Lost Canadians’ who had family connections to Canada but could not themselves become citizens.

Why the first generation limit was introduced

The rule was created to stop unlimited birthright citizenship outside Canada for families who never lived in Canada. Before the introduction of the first-generation limit, eligibility for citizenship was determined based on a person's status in Canada prior to these legislative changes. But it affected many people unfairly, such as:

• children of aid workers
• children of people working overseas
• children of government employees
• children adopted outside Canada

Court decision

The Ontario Superior Court deemed the first-generation limit unconstitutional, leading to the creation of Bill C-3. The court's decision was based on equality rights under section 15 of the Charter, recognizing that the limit discriminated against certain groups and failed to provide equal legal protections.

How Bill C-3 changes the rule

Bill C-3 removes the strict first-generation limit for people already born before the new law starts.



This means that many individuals who were previously denied citizenship may now already have Canadian citizenship status automatically under the new law.

Citizenship by Descent: What Changes in 2025

4.1. Citizenship through a Canadian parent

Previous rules of Canadian citizenship by descent

Under the previous rules, if you were born abroad, you were a Canadian citizen by descent only if your Canadian parent was:

• born in Canada, or
• naturalized as a Canadian citizen before your birth



If the Canadian parent was also born outside Canada, they generally could not pass citizenship to a child born abroad after April 2009, due to the first-generation limit.

New rules under Bill C-3

Bill C-3 expands access to Canadian citizenship by descent and applies differently depending on when the child was born or adopted.

Children born or adopted outside Canada before December 15, 2025

Individuals born or adopted outside Canada before December 15, 2025 may be recognized as Canadian citizens automatically if they had a Canadian citizen parent at the time of birth or adoption. In these cases, the previous first-generation limit no longer applies, and no physical presence or “substantial connection” requirement is needed. This change operates as a retroactive fix for many people who were previously excluded from citizenship.

Children born or adopted outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025



For children born or adopted outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, Canadian citizenship by descent may be passed on beyond the first generation only if the Canadian parent demonstrates a substantial connection to Canada. This requires the Canadian parent, if also born abroad, to show at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada at any time before the child’s birth or adoption.

Citizenship certificate requirement

To show current citizenship, every person with Canadian citizenship by descent must apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate. This document is needed for a Canadian passport, a travel document, or immigration records.

4.2. Citizenship through grandparents

Old rule

Citizenship could not pass from a Canadian grandparent directly to a grandchild.

New rule

Bill C-3 may allow more grandchildren to obtain citizenship — but still not directly. Here is what happens:

• If your parent becomes a citizen because of Bill C-3, you may also gain citizenship if you were born before the new law starts.
• This is not “grandparent citizenship.” Instead, it fixes the parent’s status first, then yours.

Dual citizenship

Canada allows dual citizenship. Whether your other country does the same depends on its specific regulations.

Citizenship for Children Born Abroad Under the New Law

Automatic citizenship

Whether a child who is born abroad or born or adopted outside Canada becomes a citizen depends on when the child is born.

Before the new law starts

If the child was born before the coming-into-force date and has a parent who is a Canadian citizen, the child may automatically receive citizenship when Bill C-3 begins.

After the new law starts

For children born outside Canada after the law takes effect, citizenship will depend on whether the Canadian parent can prove a substantial connection to Canada.

Substantial connection rule

A Canadian citizen parent who was also born abroad can pass citizenship to a child born abroad only if they have 'substantial connection' to Canada

The substantial connection requirement is defined as having accumulated at least 1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada at any time before the child’s birth.



This applies to:

• natural children
• children adopted abroad
• second or subsequent generations born abroad

Scenarios

1. Parent born in Canada
2. The child becomes a citizen automatically.
3. Parent born abroad with 3+ years of physical presence in Canada prior to birth of child
4. The child becomes a citizen automatically.
5. Parent born abroad with no substantial connection to Canada
6. The child does not get citizenship automatically.
7. The child may need to go through the permanent residence process first, then qualify for Citizenship on their own merits.
8. Parent becomes a citizen via naturalization after the child is born
9. The child does not automatically obtain citizenship.

Proof of Citizenship Under the New Rules

What is a citizenship certificate?

A citizenship certificate is the official proof that someone is a Canadian citizen. It is required for:

• passport applications
• confirming citizenship status
• accessing government services
• proving Canadian citizenship by descent

Who needs proof of Canadian Citizenship?

You may need proof if you are:

• a person born abroad
• a child adopted outside Canada
• someone affected by the first-generation limit
• someone whose parent’s citizenship is restored
• anyone unsure whether they already have automatic citizenship

Processing time

Processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications submitted under the new law, but are currently listed at 9 months. Some cases may qualify for urgent processing if a Canadian passport or travel document is required quickly.

Citizenship Restoration Under Bill C-3

Bill C-3 restores citizenship to many people who lost it under previous regulations.

Who qualifies

Citizenship may be restored if:

• you lost it due to the old age-28 retention rule
• you were affected by past gender discrimination
• your family’s status was disrupted by the first-generation limit
• you were adopted outside Canada under old rules
• you fall under certain circumstances listed in the new law

Will children or grandchildren be included?

Yes. If the parent’s citizenship is restored, children born before the new law may also qualify for Canadian Citizenship automatically.

How the New Citizenship Law Helps Families Abroad

Bill C-3 supports families by:

• allowing more people born abroad to claim citizenship
• improving fairness for Canadians living globally
• helping second-generation children maintain their connection to Canada
• ensuring families have equal rights regardless of where a child is born
• supporting global mobility through easier access to Canadian passports

This legislation strengthens the connection between Canadians and their country by reinforcing national bonds and reflecting modern family dynamics.

Parents who work or study overseas, serve in the federal public administration, or join the Canadian Armed Forces will now have clearer citizenship rights for their children.

The changes to the Citizenship Act reflect how Canadian families live today, allowing Canadians living abroad to ensure their children can become citizens.



Children born outside Canada before December 15, 2025, who are second generation or later will be granted automatic Canadian citizenship.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Citizenship by Descent (2025)

Step 1: Confirm eligibility criteria

You may qualify for citizenship by descent if:



• you had a Canadian citizen parent at birth
• your parent gains citizenship under Bill C-3
• you were affected by the first generation rule
• you were adopted abroad
• you belong to a family with prior Canadian citizenship status

Step 2: Collect documents

You may need:

• your birth certificate
• your parent’s Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate
• documents showing the family link
• adoption documents (if applicable)
• translations if required

Step 3: Apply for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate under Citizenship By Descent

Apply for a citizenship certificate online or on paper. This is the official proof of Canadian citizenship.

Step 4: Wait for processing

Processing times vary, especially during the transition to the new law.

Step 5: Receive your certificate

After approval and receipt of your Canadian Citizenship Certificate, you can apply for a Canadian passport.

FAQs

At The Way Immigration Citizenship and Immigration Calgary office, we have decades of experience helping clients with their Canadian citizenship. If you have any questions or need help with determining the citizenship status for yourself or a family member, contact the Best Immigration Consultants Calgary for a consultation today.