As of December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act, has come into effect, bringing important changes to Canadian citizenship rules.
What Was the Previous Rule?
Before Bill C-3, Canadian citizenship could only be passed from Canadian parents to their children born or adopted outside Canada if the parent was a first-generation Canadian—either born or naturalized in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption. This meant citizenship couldn’t be passed on past the first generation born abroad.
What Has Changed?
- The amendment allows Canadian citizenship to be passed down beyond the first generation for children born or adopted outside Canada.
- This means more children born abroad to Canadian parents can now claim or be granted Canadian citizenship directly.
Our licensed immigration consultants are here to help you navigate the Canadian immigration process with confidence.
Why This Matters to Immigrant Families
Many immigrant families have children born outside Canada. This change helps such families maintain their Canadian citizenship status across generations and makes the process of obtaining citizenship for these children clearer and more accessible.
For detailed information, visit the official announcement: Bill C-3 Announcement.