If you have a Canadian great-grandparent, you might be eligible for Canadian citizenship, even if your lineage has been abroad for generations without any previous Canadian passport holders in your family.

If you can establish your connection to your Canadian great-grandparent, you can apply for the necessary documentation to confirm your new citizenship status. The only way to confirm your eligibility is by submitting an application.

Understanding Your Eligibility

Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria for individuals with a Canadian great-grandparent:

Your situation	Born before Dec 15, 2025	Born on or after Dec 15, 2025
Canadian great-grandparent, lineage documented at every generation	May already be a citizen	Citizen if your parent had 1,095 days in Canada
Canadian great-grandparent, gaps in the records	Depends on what can be reconstructed	Depends on records and your parent’s time in Canada

This guide delves into the specifics of establishing your claim and why proving lineage this far back can be more challenging than in the case of a grandparent.

Determining Your Eligibility

Bill C-3 brought about changes to the Citizenship Act on December 15, 2025, eliminating the barrier that previously prevented citizenship from extending beyond the first generation born outside Canada. Individuals born abroad to a Canadian parent before this date are now typically considered Canadian citizens, including those whose parents acquired Canadian citizenship through the same amendment.

The crucial aspect is being born ‘to a Canadian parent.’ Simply having a great-grandparent who is Canadian does not automatically confer citizenship, as it requires a direct lineage connection.