December 15, 2025—Ottawa—The Government of Canada is committed to making Canadian citizenship law fair, clear and reflective of how Canadian families live today, both in and outside Canada.

Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), is in effect as of today. Moving forward, people born before December 15, 2025, who would have been citizens if not for the first-generation limit or other outdated rules, will be Canadian and can now apply for proof of citizenship.

As previously announced, the new law also creates a modern, consistent path going forward. A Canadian parent born or adopted abroad can now pass on citizenship to their child born or adopted outside Canada today or in the future, provided they can demonstrate at the time of application that they spent three years in Canada prior to their child’s birth or adoption. This approach supports fairness and clarity for Canadian families abroad while reinforcing the principle that real, demonstrated ties to Canada guide citizenship by descent.

For many, this moment has been long awaited. Today’s changes affirm their place in the Canadian family and strengthen the sense of belonging that citizenship represents.

For more information, consult the Citizenship section of IRCC’s official website.