Canada has officially overhauled its citizenship framework with the implementation of Bill C-3, a significant reform that came into effect on December 15, 2025, marking a major shift in how citizenship is passed down to families born outside the country. The new law puts an end to long-standing exclusions that had affected thousands of people with Canadian ties, particularly those impacted by the first-generation limit.
Previously, Canadian citizens who were themselves born or adopted outside Canada were unable to automatically pass citizenship to their children if those children were also born abroad. This restriction led to widespread criticism, legal challenges, and years of uncertainty for families who believed they had been unfairly denied their Canadian status. With the enforcement of Bill C-3, this first-generation limit has now been removed, restoring citizenship rights to many individuals who were excluded under earlier versions of the Citizenship Act.
Under the new legislation, people born before December 15, 2025, who would have been considered Canadian citizens if not for past legal restrictions, are now eligible to apply for proof of citizenship. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has confirmed that applications already in the system will be assessed under the updated rules, meaning affected individuals will not need to submit new applications or restart the process.
Bill C-3 also introduces important changes for Canadian parents who were born abroad. These parents can now pass citizenship to children born or adopted outside Canada, provided they can show they lived in Canada for at least three years prior to the child’s birth or adoption. This residency requirement is intended to ensure that citizenship transmission reflects a real and meaningful connection to Canada, while still being more inclusive than the previous framework.
The reform follows a landmark Ontario court decision in 2023, which ruled that parts of the Citizenship Act were unconstitutional due to their discriminatory impact. The federal government’s decision not to appeal that ruling cleared the path for legislative reform, ultimately leading to the passage of Bill C-3.
Canadian officials say the new law brings greater fairness, clarity, and consistency to the citizenship system. By addressing historical injustices and eliminating barriers that affected families across generations, the updated rules aim to prevent similar exclusions in the future and provide long-term certainty for Canadians living abroad and their descendants.
