If you were born outside Canada or have children born overseas, there’s an important update you should know about.
In 2025, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-3, a proposed law that would change how citizenship is passed down from Canadian parents to their children born abroad. This could affect thousands of families—especially those who’ve lived internationally for more than one generation but still identify strongly as Canadian.
What’s the Problem With the Current Law?
Right now, Canadian citizenship by descent is limited by what’s known as the first-generation rule.
- If a Canadian is born in Canada or became a naturalized citizen, they can pass citizenship to their child born outside Canada.
- But if a Canadian was born outside Canada and is a citizen only because of their parents, they can’t automatically pass that citizenship to their own child born abroad.
This rule, introduced in 2009, has excluded many Canadian families living abroad from passing on their nationality—even if they’ve maintained strong cultural, legal, and emotional ties to Canada.
First-Generation Limit (Current Rule)
| Parent’s Status | Can Child Born Abroad Get Citizenship? |
|---|---|
| Born or naturalized in Canada | Yes |
| Born abroad as citizen by descent | No |
| Adopted abroad by a Canadian | Only if adopting parent was born or naturalized in Canada |
What Bill C-3 Proposes to Fix
Bill C-3, introduced in 2025, aims to remove this rigid one-generation barrier. If passed into law, it would do two major things:
1. Restore Citizenship to “Lost Canadians”
People who would’ve been citizens—if not for outdated legal rules—will automatically receive citizenship. This includes those impacted by past discriminatory laws based on gender, marital status, or adoption.
2. Allow Citizenship for Children Born Abroad (Even in the Second Generation)
Going forward, children born abroad to Canadian parents who were also born abroad can still receive citizenship—if the parent proves a “substantial connection” to Canada.
What Counts as a Substantial Connection?
To pass citizenship under Bill C-3, the parent must have spent at least 1,095 days (3 years) physically in Canada at any point before the child’s birth or adoption. This time does not have to be consecutive.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum time in Canada | 3 years (1,095 days) |
| Must be completed | Before child is born or adopted |
| Applies to | Both biological and adopted children |
This ensures that those handing down citizenship have truly lived in Canada, even if they are currently living abroad.
Why Now?
This bill comes in response to a December 2023 decision by the Ontario Superior Court, which ruled parts of the first-generation limit unconstitutional. Instead of appealing, the federal government decided to fix the law—signalling its willingness to modernize the Citizenship Act.
The idea behind the update is simple: Being Canadian shouldn’t depend solely on where you were born. It’s about lived experience, family ties, and real-world connections to the country.
Who Are the “Lost Canadians”?
This term refers to people who were denied citizenship or lost it because of outdated or discriminatory laws. They include:
- Children of Canadian women who married non-Canadians (prior to 1977)
- People born abroad who missed deadlines or were excluded by earlier reforms
- Adopted children whose parents weren’t born or naturalized in Canada
Past reforms helped thousands, but not everyone. Bill C-3 intends to close the final gaps.
Previous Citizenship Fixes
| Year | Action | People Helped |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | First reform | ~17,500 |
| 2015 | Second reform | ~2,500 |
| 2025 (Bill C-3) | Expanding eligibility and automatic citizenship | Still being estimated |
What You Should Do Now
If you think this change affects your family, here’s how to stay ready:
- Check your or your parent’s time spent in Canada — You’ll need to document the 1,095 days if applying under the new rule.
- Track the progress of Bill C-3 — It still needs to pass in Parliament before becoming law.
- Explore interim measures — The government is offering temporary application processes while the bill is under review.
You can also speak with an immigration lawyer or contact IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for more personalized advice.
What Happens Next?
Bill C-3 is now moving through Parliament. It must be debated and approved by both the House of Commons and the Senate before it can become law. If passed, the changes will officially be added to Canada’s Citizenship Act.