Updated on May 1, 2026 by canadian immigration experts
There are people alive today who became Canadian citizens on December 15, 2025, and have no idea. No application. No ceremony. No announcement. Just a law that came into force quietly, and changed everything.
Bill C-3, an act to amend the Citizenship Act, removed the first-generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent. What that means in plain language: if your grandparent was a Canadian citizen and your parent, born abroad, received citizenship by descent, and you were born before December 15, 2025, you may already be a citizen of Canada and have to restore it. For those in the second generation born after December 15, 2025, there are residency requirements for their parents born abroad, which, if met, can also make you eligible for Canadian citizenship.
This is not a new immigration program. It is not a lottery. It is the recognition of a right that the law had been blocking, and that a Canadian court ruled unconstitutional. At Jane Katkova & Associates, we pride ourselves on staying constantly informed with Canadian immigration, especially if that means you are eligible for Canadian status even if you don’t reside in Canada. In this article, we will examine whether you are eligible and how you can claim Canadian citizenship in 2026.
What Changed:
Before Bill C-3, Canadian citizenship by descent stopped at the first generation born outside Canada. A Canadian grandparent could pass citizenship to a child born abroad, but that child could not pass it on to their children. The chain was cut. Bill C-3 restored that chain, retroactively, for everyone born before December 15, 2025.
If your grandparent was Canadian, and your parent was naturalized, so can you now.
How to Claim It:
Citizenship under Bill C-3 is automatic for those who qualify, but you still need to restore it.
The process begins with an application to IRCC for a Citizenship Certificate. This is your official proof of Canadian citizenship, and the document from which a Canadian passport follows.
The application requires a complete documentary chain connecting you to your Canadian ancestor: birth records, marriage records, and evidence of that ancestor’s Canadian status across every generation in between. This is where many claims succeed or fail, not on the law, but on the documents. Processing times have increased significantly since Bill C-3 came into force. The volume of new applications is high, and gaps in documentation are the leading cause of delays.
The Lost Canadian, and What It Means For You:
The “Lost Canadian” is someone who either lost or never obtained Canadian citizenship due to technicalities/outdated provisions in the 1947 Canadian Citizenship Act. This typically affected individuals born abroad, those subject to old retention rules, or cases involving historical gender discrimination in citizenship laws.
For descendants, having a Lost Canadian ancestor can create a pathway to claim or restore Canadian citizenship, depending on eligibility and generational limits. In some cases, it allows individuals to reconnect legally with Canada and access the rights and benefits of citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: My grandparent was born in Canada but emigrated decades ago. Do I qualify?
Potentially, the key question is whether they retained their own Canadian citizenship and passed it to your parent so that a documentary chain from them to you can be fully established.
Q2: We’ve lost track of the family records. Is it still worth pursuing?
Often yes. Canada and its provinces hold some of the most detailed archival records in the world. Many documents that seem lost can be recovered through Library and Archives Canada, provincial registries, and other sources. A thorough search, conducted by someone who knows where to look, frequently recovers what families assumed was gone.
Q3: Will claiming Canadian citizenship affect my current citizenship?
Many countries, including the United States, permit dual citizenship. Claiming Canadian citizenship does not automatically require you to renounce another nationality. Your specific situation should be reviewed with qualified counsel.
Q4: Does my parent need to apply first?
Yes. The chain must be established sequentially. If your parent also qualifies, their citizenship needs to be confirmed before yours can be processed. This means coordinating two applications, which is one reason professional guidance from the outset saves significant time.
Q5: Is there a deadline?
No deadline has been announced. But records deteriorate, archives change access policies, and institutions close. The practical answer is: do not wait.
Q6: How long does the process take?
Processing times at IRCC have increased significantly since Bill C-3 came into force. The timeline depends on the completeness of your documentation at the time of filing.
Q7: What documents will I need?
Birth and marriage certificates for every generation between you and the Canadian ancestor, plus evidence of that ancestor’s Canadian status. The older the records, the more complex the recovery, but it is rarely impossible.
The Next Step
This is not about moving to Canada. It is about knowing what is available to you.
A Canadian passport. The right to live and work in Canada without restriction. Options, held quietly, available when you need them.
To effectively apply and ensure that you and your family are following all the steps possible for you to get your Canadian Citizenship, our specialists at Jane Katkova & Associates would be more than happy to help. With over 25 years of Canadian immigration experience, we pride ourselves on helping people secure their Canadian status. With over 15,000 satisfied clients, we are proud of the opportunities we have helped secure for others. Let us help you get the Canadian citizenship you didn’t know you were entitled to.
