Bill C-3 Comes Into Force: A Long-Overdue Fix to Canada’s Citizenship Rules
On December 15, 2025, Canada quietly corrected a problem that had affected families for generations. Bill C-3, formally amending the Citizenship Act, is now in force, restoring and extending Canadian citizenship to thousands of people who had previously been excluded under outdated rules.
These individuals were never disconnected from Canada in any meaningful way. Many had Canadian parents, Canadian upbringings, and lifelong ties to the country. Yet, because of technical limits on citizenship by descent, they were legally treated as outsiders. Bill C-3 brings that chapter to a close. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab described the legislation as a step that “strengthens the bond between Canadians at home and around the world.” For affected families, the impact is far more personal than political.
Who Becomes Eligible Under the New Law
The most significant change applies to people born before December 15, 2025, who would have been Canadian citizens if not for the first-generation limit or similar historical restrictions. These individuals are now recognized as Canadian citizens and may apply for proof of citizenship. For children born on or after December 15, 2025, the rules are more structured but still far more inclusive than before. A child born abroad to a Canadian parent—where that parent was also born outside Canada—may still acquire citizenship at birth, provided two conditions are met.
First, the parent must have been a Canadian citizen at the time of the child’s birth. Second, that parent must demonstrate a meaningful connection to Canada by showing at least three years (1,095 days) of physical presence in Canada before the child was born. This “substantial connection” test replaces a blanket exclusion with a practical assessment of real ties to the country.
What This Means for Existing Applications
Since 2023, IRCC has been accepting proof of citizenship applications under interim measures while Bill C-3 worked its way through Parliament and the courts. Now that the law is officially in force, those applications will be assessed under the new rules. Applicants who already submitted their paperwork do not need to reapply. Their files will be reviewed automatically in light of the amended Citizenship Act.
