Exploring Canadian Passport Eligibility

Many individuals often question their eligibility to apply for a Canadian passport based on their family background. The ability to do so hinges on whether you currently possess or can acquire Canadian citizenship.

Canadian Citizenship by Descent

If one of your parents held Canadian citizenship at the time of your birth, you might have acquired citizenship by descent, even if you were born outside of Canada.

If only your grandparent was a Canadian citizen, you typically do not automatically qualify for citizenship. Nevertheless, certain individuals in this scenario may be eligible under specific provisions designed for individuals known as lost Canadians.

The First-Generation Limit (FGL)

Since 2009, citizenship by descent has generally been restricted to one generation born abroad. Consequently, if your Canadian parent was also born outside of Canada, you may not have automatically obtained citizenship.

To address this limitation, the Government of Canada implemented interim measures in 2025. These measures enable certain individuals, often referred to as lost Canadians, to seek a discretionary grant of citizenship.

Qualifying as a Lost Canadian

• You were born or adopted before December 19, 2023, and were impacted by the FGL.
• You were born or adopted on or after December 19, 2023, and your Canadian parent resided in Canada for a minimum of three years before your birth or adoption.
• You were born before April 1, 1949, and are still subject to the regulations.
• You were previously a Canadian citizen but lost your status due to older retention criteria.

Key Considerations

You can only request a Canadian passport once you are officially recognized as a citizen. For many individuals born outside of Canada to Canadian parents, citizenship is conferred automatically. However, for those affected by the FGL, the new interim measures offer a potential pathway to citizenship, paving the way for obtaining a Canadian passport thereafter.