Canadian citizenship

Apply to become a Canadian citizen, prepare for the citizenship test, and find out how you can resume or give up your Canadian citizenship.

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Status of changes to the first-generation limit on citizenship Updated

The Citizenship Act includes a first-generation limit to citizenship by descent. This limit generally means someone is not automatically a Canadian citizen if:

  • they were born outside Canada, and
  • their parent was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent or adopted outside Canada by a Canadian parent.
    • The grandparent was Canadian.

In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many people is unconstitutional.

However, the Court has suspended the declaration until November 20, 2025. This means that the current rules still apply until further notice.

On March 13, 2025, we announced an interim measure that includes:

  • a way for those affected by the first-generation limit to be considered for a discretionary grant of citizenship from the minister, and
  • priority consideration for people born or adopted on or after December 19, 2023 if their Canadian parent has a substantial connection to Canada.

Find out

  • how the first-generation limit affects you
  • what you can apply for

Check your next steps

Steps to becoming a Canadian citizen

Apply for citizenship

Who can apply, how to apply, forms, fees and processing times

Citizenship test and interview

Who has to take the test and go to the interview, what to study, what happens on test day

Oath of citizenship and ceremony

Who must attend, what happens at the ceremony

Other services and information

Get proof of citizenship

Apply for a citizenship certificate, what we accept as citizenship proof and search for citizenship records

Find out if you’re already a citizen

Ways you can be a Canadian citizen

Give up citizenship

Renounce your Canadian citizenship if you no longer want to be Canadian or can’t be a dual citizen

Resume citizenship

Become a citizen again after choosing to give up your Canadian citizenship

Changes to citizenship rules and requirements

Find out what rules and requirements changed in 2009, 2015, 2017 and 2020

Take part in our citizenship

Go to a citizenship ceremony, celebrate Canada Day and Citizenship Week, organize a reaffirmation ceremony

Features

Discover Canada

Read the official study guide for the Canadian citizenship test

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