New Path to Canadian Citizenship for Descendants of Canadian Grandparents

A recent amendment to Canadian legislation has paved the way for individuals born outside Canada with a Canadian grandparent to obtain citizenship.

Effective December 15, 2025, Bill C-3 eliminated the restriction on citizenship by descent for individuals born before the specified date. This revision allows citizenship to be transmitted from grandparents to grandchildren, even if the parents do not possess Canadian citizenship.

Prior to this modification, individuals who inherited citizenship from their parents were unable to pass it on to their children born abroad. The updated law eradicates this limitation for previous births, enabling eligible individuals to seek confirmation of their Canadian citizenship.

How It Functions

Citizenship by descent pertains to individuals born outside Canada who can establish a familial connection to a Canadian parent or grandparent, including through adoption. Unlike individuals born within Canada, these applicants must initially request official documentation verifying their citizenship.

Benefits

Successful applicants are granted a citizenship certificate, which empowers them to apply for a Canadian passport and enjoy the full rights of citizenship. The majority of applications are processed online, with the current turnaround time averaging approximately 10 months.

For numerous families previously impeded by the former regulations, this alteration represents a newfound opportunity to acquire Canadian citizenship in 2026.