Immigration Announcement
Bill C-3 Introduces Stricter Rules for Citizenship by Descent
In a landmark policy shift, the Government of Canada is introducing major changes to how citizenship by descent is passed on to children born abroad. On October 8, 2025, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration approved new amendments to Bill C-3, introducing language, residency, and security requirements for Canadians who were born outside Canada but wish to pass their citizenship to their children born abroad. This reform aims to make the process more consistent with what is required of immigrants applying for citizenship through naturalization, ensuring that Canadian citizenship by descent reflects active ties to the country rather than automatic inheritance.
Key Changes Introduced Under Bill C-3
The revised Citizenship Act, once Bill C-3 becomes law, will make three major adjustments to how citizenship by descent is granted:
| Requirement | Description |
| Language Proficiency | Applicants aged 18–55 must prove “adequate” knowledge of English or French. |
| Civic Knowledge | Applicants must show awareness of Canadian rights, duties, and responsibilities. |
| Residency Requirement | Parents born abroad must have spent 1,095 days (3 years) in Canada within any five-year period before their child’s birth abroad. |
In addition, security and admissibility checks will be conducted for all adults inheriting citizenship by descent, similar to those faced by permanent residency or naturalization applicants.
Why Is Canada Changing Citizenship by Descent?
This legislative reform comes after a court ruling in early 2025 declared the existing two-generation cut-off rule unconstitutional. Previously, citizenship could only be automatically passed to the first generation born abroad. The court decision required the government to address this limitation, leading to the introduction of Bill C-3 in June 2025 by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government.
While the purpose of the bill is to restore citizenship to those unfairly excluded by the old rule, the new amendments also tighten eligibility, ensuring that Canadians abroad maintain a genuine connection to the country.
As Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe explained, “The same rules apply to naturalized Canadians, so fairness demands similar standards for citizenship by descent.”
Residency Requirement: A Flexible but Firm Rule
Perhaps the most consequential change is the residency rule. Parents born abroad must have spent 1,095 days (or three years) in Canada during any five-year period before their child’s birth abroad. This offers flexibility to Canadians working or studying internationally while ensuring a sustained physical link to the country.
In Simpler Terms
- You must have lived in Canada for a total of three years within the last five years before your child’s birth.
- Failing to meet this threshold means your child will not automatically inherit citizenship by descent.
This approach ensures that the privilege of citizenship is rooted in active participation and presence in Canada, not just lineage.
Language and Knowledge Requirements: Reflecting National Values
Under Bill C-3, applicants aged 18–55 will need to prove proficiency in English or French and demonstrate their knowledge of Canada’s civic principles. This mirrors the process for naturalized citizens, reinforcing the idea that every Canadian, whether born in Canada, naturalized, or by descent, should share a basic linguistic and civic connection to the nation. It also supports Canada’s commitment to inclusion through language fluency, which remains a key component of social integration and participation.
Concerns About Constitutionality and Implementation
While the bill aims to ensure fairness, some officials warn that it could inadvertently recreate a class of “lost Canadians.”
Uyen Hoang, Director General of Citizenship at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), cautioned that the new requirements might complicate the reinstatement process for individuals who lost citizenship due to previous legal provisions.
She explained, “These people become citizens automatically by operation of law. Adding new barriers may risk creating another cohort of lost Canadians.” Despite such concerns, the government intends to finalize and implement Bill C-3 by November 20, 2025, as required by the court.
Who Will Be Affected?
According to the latest draft, Bill C-3 will apply only to individuals born outside Canada on or after the day the new act takes effect.
That means:
- Children born before the implementation of the new law will not be affected.
- Children born after will require parents to meet the new residency, language, and security conditions to pass on citizenship.
This clear cutoff helps provide stability while allowing families time to prepare for the upcoming rules.
Preparing for a New Era of Citizenship by Descent
The passage of Bill C-3 marks a defining moment in Canadian citizenship by descent, shifting from birthright-based inheritance to connection-based qualification. By introducing language, residency, and security provisions, Canada aims to ensure that citizenship continues to represent both privilege and participation in the country’s social fabric.
For expert guidance on how these changes might impact you or your family, Canada Immigration News can help you understand and prepare for Canada’s evolving citizenship laws.
