With the recent coming into force of Bill C-3, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially brought new citizenship rules into force that affect Canadians born or adopted outside the country. These changes rectify the long-standing issues related to the “first-generation limit,” which previously restricted the ability of some Canadian citizens to pass citizenship on to their children born abroad. As a result, many individuals and families who were previously excluded may now be eligible for Canadian citizenship.
Under the updated rules, individuals born or adopted abroad to a Canadian citizen parent who were themselves born abroad, may qualify for citizenship if they can demonstrate a substantial connection to Canada through their Canadian parent. This may include factors such as time spent living in Canada, family ties, or other evidence of an ongoing connection. While the changes expand eligibility, each case is assessed individually, and documentation requirements can be complex.
If you or your child were born or adopted outside Canada and may be affected by these changes, we recommend booking a citizenship eligibility assessment with us. Our team can review your individual circumstances, explain how the new rules apply to you, and guide you through the application process to help avoid delays or refusals. We would love to be of service to you in this.
