ANNOUNCEMENT
Thousands of previously excluded Canadians affected by the first-generation limit (FGL) to citizenship by descent are now eligible to obtain Canadian citizenship.
On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, “An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act,” received royal assent and became law.
“This new legislation strengthens the connection between Canadians at home and abroad, and reaffirms our values as a nation,” stated Minister of Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab.
Broadened Eligibility for Canadian Citizenship
Moving forward, individuals born before December 15, 2025, who would have qualified as Canadian citizens except for the FGL or other outdated provisions, will be recognized as Canadian and may apply for proof of citizenship.
Those born abroad to at least one Canadian parent (also born outside Canada) on or after December 15, 2025, will qualify for Canadian citizenship if:
• Their parent held Canadian citizenship at the time of their birth; and
• Their Canadian parent satisfies the “substantial connection to Canada” requirement.
To satisfy the connection to Canada requirement, Canadian parents must demonstrate they spent at least three years (1,095 days) in Canada before the child’s birth.
With the amended Citizenship Act now in effect, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process applications submitted under the interim measures (introduced in 2023) according to the new provisions.
Applicants who have already submitted proof of citizenship applications under the interim measures are not required to submit new applications now that Bill C-3 has officially taken effect.
Amendments to the Citizenship Act may also confer or restore Canadian citizenship to the following individuals, depending on their specific circumstances:
✓ Those born outside Canada whose parent was a citizen before their birth;
✓ Those born outside Canada whose parent became a citizen as a result of the new amendments; and
✓ Those who previously lost their Canadian citizenship.
✓ Those born outside Canada whose parent was a citizen before their birth;
✓ Those born outside Canada whose parent became a citizen as a result of the new amendments; and
✓ Those who previously lost their Canadian citizenship.
Background of Bill C-3
The passage of Bill C-3 has been long anticipated and follows two full years of deliberation and legal challenges.
In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that the second-generation limit provisions within Canada’s previous Citizenship Act were unconstitutional, finding that the legislation created two classes of Canadian citizens, with one class possessing fewer rights to transmit their citizenship than the other.
The federal government opted not to appeal this decision, instead choosing to amend the Citizenship Act. The government was initially given a 2024 deadline, which it failed to meet. Over these two years, the federal government requested multiple extensions to amend the Act, with the most recent extension granted on November 18, 2025.
With the Bill receiving Royal Assent on November 20, 2025, the latest extension became unnecessary.
Advantages of Canadian Citizenship
Compared to permanent residents, Canadian citizens possess several exclusive rights, including:
✓ The right to vote in Canadian elections;
✓ The right to enter Canada without risk of being deemed inadmissible;
✓ Greater flexibility to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner from abroad for Canadian permanent residence;
✓ Eligibility to hold various government positions requiring security clearance; and
✓ Eligibility for a Canadian passport.