Bill C-3: A Historic Moment for Canadian Citizenship
On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3 came into force, fundamentally transforming Canadian citizenship by descent. This landmark legislation removed the First Generation Limit (FGL) that had previously restricted citizenship by descent to only the first generation born abroad.
What Changed
Under the old law, only the first generation born outside Canada could inherit Canadian citizenship from their parents. A Canadian citizen who moved abroad could pass citizenship to their children, but those children could not pass it on to their own children born abroad. Bill C-3 eliminated this restriction entirely.
The Bjorkquist Decision
The path to C-3 began with the Bjorkquist decision in December 2023, in which the courts overturned the First Generation Limit as unconstitutional. During the period between the court decision and the passage of C-3, IRCC processed applications under an interim measure. Applications submitted during this period will now be processed under the new C-3 legislation.
Key Changes Under C-3
- No Generational Limit — There is no longer any limit on how far back your Canadian ancestor can be. Citizenship certificates have been issued to applicants as far out as the 9th generation born abroad.
- Retroactive Effect — If you were born before December 15, 2025 and have a Canadian ancestor, you are likely already a Canadian citizen regardless of how many generations have passed.
- Substantial Presence Test — For children born on or after December 15, 2025, the parent passing down Canadian citizenship must have spent at least 1,095 cumulative days physically present in Canada before the child was born.
- No 5(4) Grants Required — Under the interim measure, some applicants needed a 5(4) grant. Under C-3, you simply apply for a citizenship certificate using form CIT0001. No grant, no oath ceremony required.
- Lost Canadians Restored — People who lost Canadian citizenship through naturalization in another country, or through other historical provisions, are considered to have retained their citizenship (unless they formally renounced it in writing to Canadian officials as an adult).
What This Means for You
If you have a Canadian ancestor — whether a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or even further back — you may already be a Canadian citizen. You do not need to “apply for citizenship.” You are applying for proof of citizenship in the form of a citizenship certificate. The certificate simply confirms what is already true under Canadian law.
This change opens the door for potentially millions of people worldwide who have Canadian ancestry to claim their citizenship.