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OTTAWA — New citizenship rules allowing more Canadians born or adopted abroad to claim citizenship are now in effect, following the coming into force of Bill C-3 on Monday.
The federal government says the changes are intended to make citizenship law fairer and more reflective of how Canadian families live, both inside and outside the country.
Under the amended Citizenship Act, people born before Dec. 15, 2025, who would have been Canadian citizens but for the first-generation limit or other outdated rules, are now recognized as citizens and can apply for proof of citizenship.
The new law also establishes a consistent path for citizenship by descent going forward. A Canadian parent who was born or adopted outside Canada can now pass citizenship to a child born or adopted abroad, as long as the parent can show they spent at least three years in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
The government says the requirement is meant to balance fairness for families living abroad with the principle that citizenship by descent should be based on clear and demonstrated ties to Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said many affected individuals have waited years for the change, after previous rules excluded children of Canadians born outside the country from automatically acquiring citizenship.
The first-generation limit was introduced in 2009, preventing citizenship from being passed to children born or adopted abroad if their Canadian parent was also born or adopted outside Canada.
In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled key parts of those provisions unconstitutional. Ottawa chose not to appeal the decision, acknowledging the law produced unacceptable outcomes for some Canadian families.
IRCC implemented interim measures following the ruling and says applications submitted under those measures will now be processed under the amended law, without requiring applicants to reapply.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the changes reflect modern realities, including Canadians who study, work, or raise families outside the country while maintaining strong connections to Canada.
She said the amendments strengthen the bond between Canadians at home and abroad and reaffirm the sense of belonging citizenship represents.
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