Bill C-3 Citizenship by Descent
Understand Your Canadian Citizenship Rights Under the New Rules
Canada’s Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, changed the rules for Canadian citizenship by descent and came into effect on December 15, 2025. The legislation removed the previous first-generation limit in certain circumstances and created a new framework allowing some Canadians born or adopted abroad to pass citizenship to children born or adopted outside Canada.
Our immigration lawyers provide personalized legal guidance on citizenship by descent, including assessing whether you or your child may already be a Canadian citizen, reviewing family citizenship histories, and assisting with applications for proof of Canadian citizenship. For children born or adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025, where the Canadian parent was also born or adopted abroad, the parent generally needs to demonstrate at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
Top 3 Areas We Help With
01
Citizenship by Descent Assessment
We review your family history, place of birth, citizenship status, and relevant dates to help determine whether you or your child may qualify for Canadian citizenship under the new rules.
02
Citizenship Certificate Applications
If you believe you are already a Canadian citizen through descent, we can assist with preparing an application for a Canadian citizenship certificate, which serves as official proof of citizenship.
03
Complex & Lost Canadian Cases
We assist with more complicated citizenship situations, including individuals affected by the former first-generation limit and certain “Lost Canadians” whose citizenship rights were affected by older provisions of Canadian citizenship law.
Find Out If You or Your Child May Be Canadian
If you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent—or if your child was born or adopted outside Canada—you may be affected by the citizenship changes introduced through Bill C-3. Understanding your eligibility before travelling or applying for a passport can help prevent unnecessary complications. IRCC recommends obtaining proof of citizenship and a Canadian passport before travelling to Canada if you believe you are a citizen.
Our immigration lawyers can review your family citizenship history, birth or adoption records, Canadian parent’s status, physical presence in Canada, and other relevant documentation to help determine what the new rules may mean for you. We can also assist with preparing and submitting the appropriate citizenship certificate application and addressing complex citizenship situations.
Contact us today for a personalized assessment of your citizenship by descent case and learn whether Bill C-3 may have changed your path to Canadian citizenship.