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My Descent Passport
Canada · Parents and further back

Canadian citizenship by descent

Canada changed its rules on December 15, 2025, when Bill C-3 took effect. Anyone born abroad before that date who would have been Canadian but for the old “first-generation limit” is now recognized as a citizen and can apply for proof. Children born abroad since then are Canadian if a Canadian parent was born in Canada or, if born abroad, spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the birth.

Last checked against reporting on Bill C-3 and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidance.

Latest change · Canada scraps its first-generation limit

How far back
A Canadian parent. Since December 15, 2025, later generations born abroad before that date are recognized too.
Keep your current passport?
Yes. Canada allows dual citizenship.
Language test
No.

Do I qualify? All quick facts

Quick check: could you be Canadian?

Who in your family was Canadian? Pick one and answer a few yes-or-no questions.

A parentA grandparentA great-grandparentFurther back

Who qualifies

  • CanadianA parent born or naturalized in CanadaYou’re Canadian if you were their child born abroad.
  • Now recognizedBorn abroad before December 15, 2025, to a Canadian parent who was also born abroadBill C-3 removed the first-generation limit for people born before that date.
  • DependsBorn abroad since December 15, 2025, to a Canadian parent born abroadOnly if that parent spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before your birth.

Am I a Canadian citizen? Five examples

These follow the Citizenship Act and IRCC’s guidance. Only IRCC can confirm your case, and you find out for sure by applying for a citizenship certificate.

  • CanadianBorn in the US in 1985 to a Canadian-born motherCanadian from birth: the law covers anyone born abroad after February 14, 1977 to a Canadian parent.
  • CanadianBorn in the US in 1990 to a US-born parent whose own parent was born in CanadaCanadian, as long as your parent was Canadian when you were born (or became Canadian under Bill C-3). The old rule that made some people lose citizenship at 28 never caught anyone who turned 28 after April 2009.
  • Now recognizedThe same family, but born in 2010Cut off by the 2009 first-generation limit, and recognized again by Bill C-3 since December 15, 2025.
  • Check with IRCCA great-grandchild of a Canadian-born person, born abroad before December 15, 2025Bill C-3 reaches the second and later generations born abroad, and no generation cap is stated. If a link in your chain was born before 1977, or before 1947, ask IRCC.
  • Not automaticA child born in the US in 2026 to a Canadian parent born abroad who spent 2 years in CanadaNot Canadian through that parent: the parent needed 1,095 days (about 3 years) in Canada before the birth. It can still work through the other parent, or if a parent was a Crown servant.

What changed in December 2025

From 2009, Canadian citizenship by descent stopped at the first generation born abroad. An Ontario court found this unconstitutional in 2023, and Bill C-3 took effect on December 15, 2025. It recognizes people born abroad before that date who were cut off by the first-generation limit or other outdated rules. For births from December 15, 2025, a Canadian parent born abroad must have spent at least 1,095 days, about three years, in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption. If you applied under the interim measure IRCC brought in after the December 2023 court ruling, you don’t need to apply again.

How to apply

  1. Gather proof of your Canadian lineYour birth certificate and your Canadian parent’s proof of citizenship, plus certificates for each generation back if needed.
  2. Apply for proof of citizenshipA citizenship certificate, from IRCC. The fee is CA$75.
  3. Then apply for a Canadian passportUsing your citizenship certificate.

How to get a Canadian citizenship certificate, step by step

Documents

  • Your full birth certificate, showing your parents
  • Your Canadian parent’s proof of citizenship, such as a Canadian birth certificate or citizenship certificate
  • For later generations, certificates for each generation back to an ancestor born or naturalized in Canada
  • Proof of identity and citizenship photos

For UK, Irish and US certificates, see where to order certificates.

Canadian dual citizenship

Canada allows dual and multiple citizenship, so you can keep your American, British or other passport. Canadians with dual citizenship need a valid Canadian passport to fly into Canada. Canadian-American dual citizens are the exception: they can travel on either their Canadian or their US passport, but with only the US one they should carry proof they’re Canadian. Becoming Canadian doesn’t on its own make you owe Canadian tax, because Canada taxes people on where they live. If your family lost citizenship under older rules, see Lost Canadians.

Common questions

Can I keep my other passport?

Yes. Canada allows dual citizenship.

Can someone born abroad before 2009, two generations from Canada, be Canadian?

Often, yes, and many already were before Bill C-3. The first-generation limit only applied to people born abroad from April 2009. Under older rules, some people born abroad in the second generation had to apply to keep their citizenship by age 28. Those born between February 15, 1977 and April 16, 1981 who lost it that way are known as “section 8 Lost Canadians”, and Bill C-3 gives it back. In every case, the way to find out is to apply for proof of citizenship.

I applied under the interim measure that followed the 2023 court ruling. Do I need to reapply?

No. IRCC says those applications are processed under the new rules, so you don’t need to send a new one.

More questions about Canadian citizenship by descent

What a Canadian passport gives you

The right to live, work and study anywhere in Canada, and to vote there.

Living there

A Canadian passport gives you the right to live and work anywhere in Canada.

Time difference Local time in Ottawa
LanguagesEnglish and French
CurrencyCanadian dollar (C$)

Not eligible? The long way round

If descent doesn’t work for you, you can still become a citizen by living in Canada and applying to naturalize. It takes longer, but it’s open to anyone who meets the conditions.

Time living there first
1,095 days in Canada in the last 5 years, at least 730 of them as a permanent resident. Time on a temporary visa counts at half rate, up to a year.
Language and tests
English or French at CLB 4, and the citizenship test, for ages 18 to 54.
Keep your current passport?
Yes. Canada allows dual citizenship.
Main ways to get residence
Express Entry for skilled workers, provincial nominee programs, family sponsorship and study.

You also need to have filed tax returns in at least 3 of the 5 years, if you were required to.

General information, not immigration advice. Residence rules change often, so check the official source before you plan a move. Sources: IRCC: who can apply for citizenship.

Many families have more than one line. If a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent came from somewhere else, check that country too. The family tree worksheet helps you map every line.

  • Families often moved between these Commonwealth countries, though their rules differ: Canada now recognizes several generations born abroad before December 15, 2025, while the UK generally stops at the first generation born abroad.

  • Routes many UK, Irish and North American families use.

Next stepCheck if you qualify

Do I qualify?
Sources

A plain-English guide, not a legal opinion. Nationality laws can be amended at short notice, so confirm the details with the consulate or the official body before you send an application or pay anything. The full disclaimer.

Cousins and siblings may qualify as well

One ancestor can open the same door for a whole branch of the family, and you can split the cost of the certificates. Send them this page while it’s fresh in your mind.

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