Author:Bill C-3 and Canadian Citizenship in 2025: What the New Law Means — Including for Pending Applications
On December 15, 2025, Canada enacted Bill C-3, a major amendment to the Citizenship Act that reshaped the rules for Canadian citizenship by descent. The changes primarily address the long-standing first-generation limit, opening the door to second-generation Canadian citizenship and restoring citizenship to many people who were previously excluded.
This article explains:
- What changed under Bill C-3
- Who may now be a Canadian citizen
- What the rules mean for children and adopted persons born abroad
- What happens if you already submitted a citizenship application
What Is Bill C-3?
Bill C-3 is federal legislation that amended the Citizenship Act to remove the strict first-generation limit to citizenship by descent in certain circumstances.
Before Bill C-3, Canadian citizenship by descent was generally limited to the first generation born outside Canada. As of December 15, 2025, individuals born outside Canada in the second generation or later may now be Canadian citizens, provided specific conditions are met.
Importantly:
- Anyone who was already a Canadian citizen remains a citizen
- The law expands access to citizenship — it does not revoke citizenship
How Canada Counts Generations for Citizenship by Descent
IRCC counts generations in the following way:
- Canadian citizen: A person born in Canada or a person who became Canadian through naturalization
- First generation born abroad: A person born or adopted outside Canada to a Canadian citizen
- Second generation or later: A person born or adopted outside Canada to a first-generation Canadian citizen
These definitions also apply to adopted individuals applying for a direct grant of Canadian citizenship.
Born or Adopted On or After December 15, 2025
You may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent if:
- You were born outside Canada in the second generation (or later), and
- Your parent was also born or adopted outside Canada to a Canadian citizen (meaning your grandparent was Canadian), and
- That parent spent at least 1,095 days (three years) physically present in Canada before your birth
Adopted Persons
You are likely eligible for a direct grant of Canadian citizenship if:
- You were born and adopted outside Canada in the second generation or later, and
- Your Canadian parent spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the adoption
Born or Adopted Before December 15, 2025: Citizenship Automatically Restored
For individuals born outside Canada before Bill C-3 came into force, the law goes further.
In most cases, Canadian citizenship has been automatically restored or granted to people who:
- Were born before December 15, 2025
- Were born outside Canada
- Had a Canadian parent
This also applies if your parent only became Canadian as a result of Bill C-3.
If you became a Canadian citizen automatically but do not wish to hold Canadian citizenship, you may apply to renounce it.
Adopted individuals born and adopted outside Canada in the second generation or later before December 15, 2025 are also generally eligible to apply through a direct grant of citizenship.
IMPORTANT: What Happens If You Already Submitted a Citizenship Application?
This is one of the most common questions following the passage of Bill C-3.
Your Application Will Continue Under the New Law
If you already submitted a citizenship application (including under the interim measures announced following the 2023 court decision), your application does not need to be resubmitted.
IRCC will:
- Continue processing your application
- Apply the new Bill C-3 rules automatically
In most cases, nothing changes for applicants who already have a file in progress.
What If You Were Offered a Discretionary Grant?
Some applicants were previously offered the option to withdraw their application in order to receive a discretionary grant of citizenship.
If you did not withdraw your application, your file will simply continue under the new law.
If you did withdraw your application after being offered a discretionary grant:
- IRCC will likely contact you directly by letter (see below)
- You may be advised that you are now being processed under Bill C-3 instead
- If you are eligible under the new law, your citizenship certificate will be issued accordingly
Interim Measure Applications (Court Decision Context)
In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared the first-generation limit unconstitutional for many individuals. In response, IRCC introduced interim citizenship measures.
Now that Bill C-3 has become law:
- Interim-measure applications are being finalized under the new legislation
- Applicants do not need to reapply or submit new forms
How to Prove Canadian Citizenship
Even if you are now automatically a Canadian citizen, you will generally need to apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate as proof of status.
This document is required to:
-
- Apply for a Canadian passport
- Access government services
- Confirm citizenship for your children
Final Thoughts: Reassessing Your Citizenship Status
Bill C-3 represents a historic correction in Canadian citizenship law, restoring citizenship to families with genuine and lasting ties to Canada across generations.
If you were previously told you were not eligible, if your application has been pending for years, or if you withdrew after being offered a discretionary grant, it is now essential to reassess your situation under the new Bill C-3 framework.
Because citizenship-by-descent cases often involve complex timelines and family histories, professional review can help ensure your status is correctly confirmed and documented.
If you have questions about an application you submitted yourself or you simply want to get started then give us a call or get booked in for a consultation.
