On December 15, 2025, Canada’s Bill C-3, formally titled An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, came into effect.

The legislation was introduced to resolve long-standing inequities in Canada’s citizenship-by-descent rules, enabling thousands of so-called “lost Canadians” who were previously excluded under the first-generation limit (FGL) to become eligible to obtain or confirm Canadian citizenship. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab stated that the new law strengthens ties between Canadians at home and abroad, while reaffirming the country’s commitment to fairness and inclusion.

Expanded Eligibility for Citizenship by Descent

Under the amended Citizenship Act, eligibility for Canadian citizenship has been significantly broadened in the following ways:

1. Retroactive recognition (for those born before December 15, 2025)

Individuals born before December 15, 2025, who would have been Canadian citizens but for the first-generation limit or other outdated provisions, will now be recognized as Canadian citizens and may apply for proof of citizenship.

2. New rules for children born abroad (on or after December 15, 2025)

Children born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, to at least one Canadian parent who was also born abroad, may acquire Canadian citizenship if both of the following conditions are met:

• The parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of the child’s birth; and
• The Canadian parent meets the “substantial connection to Canada” requirement.

The substantial connection test requires the Canadian parent to have been physically present in Canada for a cumulative total of at least three years (1,095 days) prior to the child’s birth.

No Need to Reapply Under Transitional Measures

With the Citizenship Act now amended, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue processing applications submitted under the interim measures introduced in 2023, applying the new legislative rules.

Applicants who have already submitted proof of citizenship applications under these interim measures are not required to submit a new application following the formal enactment of Bill C-3.

Who May Gain or Regain Canadian Citizenship

Depending on individual circumstances, the amended legislation may also grant or restore Canadian citizenship to:

• Individuals born outside Canada whose parent was already a Canadian citizen before their birth;
• Individuals born outside Canada whose parent became a Canadian citizen as a result of the new legislative changes; and
• Individuals who previously lost their Canadian citizenship under former rules.

Legislative Background: Two Years of Legal and Parliamentary Process

The passage of Bill C-3 follows nearly two years of legal and legislative developments.

In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court ruled that provisions related to the second-generation limit in Canada’s previous Citizenship Act were unconstitutional, citing that they created two classes of Canadian citizens with unequal rights to pass on citizenship.

The federal government chose not to appeal the ruling and instead committed to amending the legislation. Although initially given a 2024 deadline, the government failed to meet it and requested multiple extensions, the most recent of which was granted on November 18, 2025.

The bill ultimately received Royal Assent on November 20, 2025, making the final extension unnecessary and allowing the legislation to come into force on December 15, 2025.

Key Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

Compared with permanent residents, Canadian citizens enjoy a number of exclusive rights, including:

• The right to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections;
• An unconditional right to enter Canada and protection from inadmissibility;
• Greater flexibility in sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner from abroad for permanent residence;
• Eligibility to hold certain public or political positions requiring security clearance; and
• The ability to apply for and hold a Canadian passport.

Observers note that the implementation of Bill C-3 not only resolves long-standing legal and policy gaps but also provides greater certainty for Canadians abroad and their families, offering a more stable and transparent framework for citizenship planning and long-term ties to Canada.