New law grants thousands Canadian citizenship: Can you apply in 2026?
If you were born outside Canada and have a Canadian grandparent, you may be able to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship under new rules, even if neither of your parents has a Canadian passport.
On December 15, 2025, new legislation came into force that eliminated the first-generation limit (FGL) to citizenship by descent.
With the coming into force of Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, individuals who have at least one Canadian grandparent have become eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent, provided they were born before December 15, 2025.
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Prior to the new legislation, the FGL prevented children of Canadian citizens by descent from inheriting Canadian citizenship.
The new legislation abolished the FGL for anyone born prior to its coming into force, so these people can now apply to the federal government for proof of Canadian citizenship.
What is citizenship by descent?
With a few exceptions, children born in Canada automatically gain Canadian citizenship at birth, on account of Canada’s birthright citizenship law. Canadians with birthright citizenship use their birth certificates to prove citizenship and to apply for passports.
In contrast, citizenship by descent applies to children born outside Canada.
Under citizenship by descent, children of Canadian citizens inherit Canadian citizenship, including children by birth and children by adoption.
Canadians who are citizens by descent must first apply to the government for proof of citizenship.
After applying
If you apply for proof of citizenship and your application is successful, you will be granted a citizenship certificate, which you can use to apply for a Canadian passport.
As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to enter and reside in Canada, as well as the right to vote and to run for public office.
Most applicants are required to apply for proof of citizenship online.
When applying, you’ll have to include documents proving your descent from at least one Canadian parent or grandparent.
As of the time of writing, the processing time for proof of citizenship applications is 10 months.
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