Canadian citizenship by descent after Bill C-3: what families need to know about the December 15, 2025 change
Quick summary
Bill C-3 (effective December 15, 2025) removed Canada’s former “first‑generation limit” for citizenship by descent. That means people born abroad who can trace an unbroken line to a Canadian ancestor may now be eligible. But for children born abroad on or after December 15, 2025, an extra requirement applies when the parent passing on citizenship was also born outside Canada: the parent must show 1,095 cumulative days physically present in Canada before the child’s birth.
How descent works now
– Anyone in your direct line born before December 15, 2025 inherits citizenship through the same ancestor as you, provided documentary links exist across each generation.
– For anyone born on or after December 15, 2025, if the immediate Canadian parent was born abroad, that parent must meet the 1,095‑day physical‑presence test to pass citizenship by descent.
Who benefits immediately
Children or grandchildren born before December 15, 2025 can claim the same descent-based citizenship as you, even if the parent in the chain never lived in Canada. Each person must apply separately for proof of citizenship and supply documents linking each generation to the Canadian ancestor.
What the 1,095‑day test means
– The 1,095 days are cumulative and do not need to be consecutive.
– Time can come from work, study or repeat visits (for example, a summer job, a semester at a Canadian university, or multiple family trips), as long as the total reaches 1,095 days before the child’s birth.
– The burden of proof is on the Canadian parent who was born abroad.
Practical options for families with children born on/after Dec 15, 2025
1) Build the parent’s physical presence in Canada. Once a parent has their citizenship certificate, they can live and work in Canada and accumulate the days (roughly three years of residence will typically reach 1,095 days).
2) Have the child born in Canada. Birth in Canada normally grants citizenship at birth (with the limited exception for children of accredited foreign diplomats).
3) Sponsor the child for permanent residence. If a child is born abroad and the parent cannot meet the 1,095‑day test, the Canadian parent can sponsor the child for PR, move to Canada, and later apply for citizenship or a minor grant where eligible.
Sponsorship basics when the sponsor is a Canadian by descent
– Sponsor must be 18+ and a Canadian citizen.
– Sponsors are expected to live in Canada; citizens living abroad may still apply to sponsor if they demonstrate intent to settle in Canada once the child receives PR.
– The sponsor signs an undertaking to support the child.
– The child must be considered a dependent (under 22 and without a spouse/partner) to be sponsored as a dependent.
– If sponsored as a dependent and under 18, the child may qualify immediately for a 5(2) grant of citizenship without a physical‑presence requirement; applicants aged 14+ must take the oath.
– If sponsored as an adult dependent (sponsored between ages 18–21), the usual naturalization rules apply (1,095 days in Canada within five years, citizenship test, oath).
How IRCC verifies the 1,095 days
IRCC revised its proof‑of‑citizenship materials in August 2026. Applicants for children born abroad after December 15, 2025 must complete form CIT 0555, listing trips to Canada one by one. IRCC may verify each entry and can ask for contact details of people or organizations who can corroborate the presence.
Acceptable evidence (grouped by IRCC into seven categories):
– Employment and education records (e.g., T4s, transcripts)
– Travel records (e.g., passport stamps, entry/exit data)
– Residential records (e.g., leases, mortgage or insurance documents)
– Canadian government records
– Sworn affidavits from organizations (religious institutions, unions, volunteer groups)
– Sworn affidavits from third parties who can attest to the parent’s time in Canada
– Other proof that demonstrates physical presence (must include the individual/organization’s name, mailing address and email and/or phone)
Documentation rules to note
– Provide clear colour copies of authentic records.
– Affidavits must be sworn before a notary or commissioner and include the signer’s contact details.
– Close relatives (parents, siblings, first cousins, etc.) cannot provide affidavits to prove the parent’s presence.
Practical steps to take now
– Confirm and apply for your own proof of Canadian citizenship if eligible.
– If a child or grandchild was born after Dec 15, 2025, check whether the immediate Canadian parent was born abroad and is therefore subject to the 1,095‑day test.
– Begin collecting employment, education, travel and residential records now, and gather contact details for organizations or non‑relative witnesses who can corroborate entries.
– Prepare notarized, non‑relative affidavits where needed.
– Consider timing: moving to Canada and living roughly three years is one route; birthing in Canada is another; sponsorship is a longer alternative.
– Seek an immigration lawyer for tailored advice.
Common pitfalls
– Don’t rely on relatives for sworn affidavits.
– Avoid weak or unverifiable evidence—IRCC will scrutinize records.
– Complete CIT 0555 carefully; IRCC may verify entries.
– Apply for your citizenship certificate promptly so you can lawfully live in Canada and begin accumulating days if needed.
If you are sure you’re a Canadian citizen by descent, whether your grandchild will also be a citizen depends on whether they were born before or after December 15, 2025 and whether the parent has the required days in Canada. For personalized questions, consider consulting an immigration lawyer.
For personalized support with your Canadian immigration pathway, contact GTR Immigration. Call us: +91-8810-686-447
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