On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, an amendment to Canada's Citizenship Act, officially came into effect. This new law changes how Canadian citizenship can be passed on to children born or adopted outside of Canada.
What Changed with Bill C-3?
Before this amendment, Canadian citizenship could only be passed on from a parent to their child born or adopted abroad if the parent was either born in Canada or had been naturalized as a Canadian citizen before the child's birth or adoption. This meant that only first-generation citizens living outside Canada could pass citizenship to their children.
With Bill C-3, these restrictions have been eased. Now, citizenship can be passed down further, allowing second-generation and beyond to secure Canadian citizenship for their children born or adopted abroad. This change helps more families maintain their ties to Canada no matter where their children are born or adopted.
Why This Matters to Immigrants and Canadian Families Abroad
- If you are a Canadian citizen living abroad or planning to start a family outside Canada, this law change makes it easier for your children to become Canadian citizens.
- This expansion helps preserve Canadian citizenship status in families spanning multiple generations abroad.
- It simplifies the process and ensures more children have access to Canadian rights and privileges from birth.
Our licensed immigration consultants are here to help you navigate the Canadian immigration process with confidence.
To learn more, visit the official announcement: Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025) comes into effect.