Changes to citizenship rules and requirements
The Citizenship Act defines
- who is Canadian
- what you need to become a Canadian
We’ve made changes to
- what you need to apply for citizenship
- the rules about who is or isn’t a Canadian citizen
Alerts
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
Services and information
Changes to rules in 2020
Who can pass down their Canadian citizenship
Changes to requirements 2017 to 2018
How long you need to be in Canada, language requirements, citizenship test and filing taxes
Changes to rules 2009 to 2015
How citizenship is passed down from parents
Features

Discover Canada
Read the official study guide for the Canadian citizenship test
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