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 by descent Updated December 15, 2025
On December 15, 2025, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-3 to change the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in December 2023 that the limit was unconstitutional for many people. In March 2025, we introduced an interim measure to support those affected.
We will now process all applications submitted under the interim measure using the new rules.
Services and information
Changes to rules in 2025 New
Changes to how Canadians pass down citizenship to children born or adopted abroad
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 in 2009 and 2015
How citizenship is passed down from parents
Citizenship law and adoption
How changes to the Citizenship Act affect adoptions
Features
Discover Canada
Read the official study guide for the Canadian citizenship test