Canada has officially updated its citizenship rules with the implementation of Bill C-3, a landmark law that came into force on December 15, 2025, ending long-standing exclusions affecting families born outside the country.
The new legislation removes the controversial first-generation limit, which previously blocked Canadian citizens born or adopted abroad from passing citizenship to their children also born overseas.
The change restores citizenship rights to thousands of people who were denied status under earlier laws.
Under Bill C-3, individuals born before December 15, 2025, who would have been Canadian citizens if not for past restrictions, can now apply for proof of citizenship.
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process existing applications under the new rules without requiring applicants to reapply.
The law also grants new rights to Canadian parents born abroad. They can now pass citizenship to their children born outside Canada, provided they can demonstrate at least three years of residence in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
The requirement aims to ensure a genuine connection to the country.
The reform follows a 2023 Ontario court ruling that declared parts of the Citizenship Act unconstitutional. The federal government chose not to appeal, paving the way for legislative action.
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Officials say Bill C-3 brings clarity, fairness, and consistency to Canada’s citizenship system, ending years of legal uncertainty for affected families and ensuring future generations do not face the same barriers.
