What You Need to Know About Bill C-3 and Canada’s New Citizenship by Descent Rules
On December 15, 2025, the Government of Canada brought into force Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act. This marked one of the most significant updates to Canadian citizenship law in years and affects thousands of people around the world, especially those born abroad to Canadian parents.
What Is Bill C-3?
Bill C-3 amends the Citizenship Act to modernize how Canadian citizenship is passed down to children born or adopted outside Canada. It removes key barriers in the law and replaces them with a clearer, fairer framework.
Previously, Canadian law imposed the “first-generation limit,” which meant:
- A Canadian citizen could automatically pass citizenship to a child born abroad only if the parent was born in Canada or naturalized in Canada.
- Canadian citizens who were themselves born outside Canada generally could not pass citizenship automatically to their own children born abroad.
This is no longer the case under Bill C-3.
Key changes under Bill C-3?
- Automatic Citizenship for Previously Excluded Individuals
Individuals born outside Canada before December 15, 2025, may now qualify for Canadian citizenship if they have a Canadian parent, even if that parent was also born abroad. Eligible individuals can apply for a Proof of Canadian Citizenship Certificate, which serves as an official confirmation of citizenship and allows access to a Canadian passport.
- New “Substantial Connection to Canada” Requirement for Future Generations
For children born or adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025, citizenship by descent is still possible but subject to a new requirement.
- If the Canadian parent was born or adopted outside Canada, they must demonstrate a substantial connection to Canada, defined as at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
- This ensures citizenship reflects genuine ties to Canada while allowing citizenship to extend beyond the first generation.
This does not apply to Canadian parents who were born or naturalized in Canada, nor to individuals born abroad before the law came into effect whose citizenship is now automatically recognized under the new provisions. These applicants can obtain a Proof of Citizenship without needing to meet the new substantial connection requirement.
- Expanded Eligibility for Adopted Children
Bill C-3 also addresses previous gaps affecting adopted children abroad:
Children adopted abroad before December 15, 2025
- May now qualify for Canadian citizenship even if the Canadian parent was born abroad.
- They are granted access to the direct adoptions grant of citizenship, ensuring immediate recognition without additional requirements.
Children adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025
- Can access the direct adoptions grant of citizenship only if the Canadian parent demonstrates a substantial connection to Canada, defined as 1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada before the adoption.
- This ensures that citizenship reflects both Canadian lineage and meaningful ties to Canada, while maintaining a clear and objective standard for eligibility
Who Is Affected?
You might be impacted by Bill C-3 if you:
- Were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent before 15 December 2025 but were not previously recognized as a citizen;
- Are the descendant of someone affected by old citizenship-by-descent rules;
- Have a child born or adopted abroad on or after 15 December 2025 and need to understand the new eligibility requirements.
Take Action Today: Apply for Your Proof of Citizenship
If you meet the eligibility requirements under Bill C-3, the next step is to apply for a Canadian Proof of Citizenship certificate. This official document:
- Confirms your Canadian citizenship;
- Is required to obtain a Canadian passport;
- Enables you to fully exercise your rights as a Canadian, including travel, work, and study
Applying promptly ensures you secure your citizenship status and access all the benefits that come with it.