Canada amends Citizenship Act
The law confines transmission of Canadian citizenship by descent to cases where a Canadian parent born or adopted abroad demonstrates a substantial connection to Canada. It also restores citizenship eligibility for people born before the law's commencement who were excluded by the 2009 first-generation limit and other prior rules.
Change
On November 21, 2025, Bill C-3 (An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025)) received royal assent, changing rules for transmission of Canadian citizenship by descent.
Why it matters
Bill C-3 received royal assent on November 21, 2025. The law allows a Canadian parent born or adopted abroad to pass citizenship to a child born or adopted outside Canada on or after the date the bill comes into force, provided the parent has a substantial connection to Canada. The law supplies citizenship to people born before commencement who would have been citizens but for the first-generation limit introduced in 2009 or other outdated rules. Eligibility for children born or adopted outside Canada applies only for births or adoptions on or after the law's commencement date.
Implications
- — Transmission of citizenship by descent requires a demonstrated substantial connection to Canada by the parent born or adopted abroad.
- — Citizenship claims will be limited to children born or adopted outside Canada on or after the law's commencement date.
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