Find out what you can apply for: Changes to the first-generation limit on citizenship
Changes to first-generation limit on citizenship receive royal assent Updated Nov 21, 2025
Canada is modernizing its citizenship laws. Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), has received Royal Assent. This means that Canadians will soon have a fair, clear way to pass on citizenship to their children born or adopted outside Canada. Until Bill C-3 comes into effect, the interim measure on this page remains in place.
If you apply using the interim measure, you will not have to re-apply when the new rules come into effect. We’ll process all remaining applications using the new rules.
Learn how Bill C-3 restores fairness and clarity to citizenship by descent.
This page will help you find out if you’re affected by the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent. If you are, we’ll explain how to apply under an interim measure we put in place to support those affected by the limit.
On this page
- What is the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent
- Check if you can apply under the interim measure
What is the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent
The first-generation limit on citizenship generally means that 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.
Check if you can apply under the interim measure
Answer a few questions to:
- check if the first-generation limit affects you or not
- learn how to request consideration for a discretionary grant of citizenship by applying:
- for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship)
- to become a Canadian citizen as a person adopted by a Canadian citizen
- to become a Canadian citizen
The first-generation limit doesn’t apply to you
Based on your answers, the first-generation limit on citizenship does not apply to you.
If you believe you’re a citizen
To find out for sure, you can apply for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship).
- We’ll review your application to check if you’re already a Canadian citizen.
- If you’re a citizen, you’ll get a citizenship certificate.
Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate(opens in a new tab)
If you know you’re not a citizen
If you’re not a citizen, you can apply for Canadian citizenship.
Depending on your situation, you can
- apply for citizenship(opens in a new tab)
- This includes application for stateless people born to a Canadian parent(opens in a new tab)
- outside Canada and
- on or after April 17, 2009
- This includes application for stateless people born to a Canadian parent(opens in a new tab)
- apply to resume your citizenship(opens in a new tab) if you previously gave it up (renounced it)
- apply for citizenship for your adopted child (or adult adoptee)(opens in a new tab) if
- you’re a Canadian citizen and
- your adopted child was born outside Canada
If your application is successful, you’ll get a Canadian citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship).
The first-generation limit doesn’t apply to you
You may already be a Canadian citizen. To know for sure, you can apply for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship).
Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate(opens in a new tab)
We need more information
Based on your answers, this online tool can’t tell you if the first-generation limit on citizenship applies to you.
To find out for sure if you’re a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship).
- We’ll review your application to check if you’re already a Canadian citizen.
- If you’re a citizen, you’ll get a citizenship certificate.
Apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab)
You can apply for citizenship using an interim measure
Based on your answers, the first-generation limit may apply to you. You can either:
- submit a citizenship application for a person adopted by a Canadian citizen (part 1 of a 2-part application), or
- wait for the first-generation limit to change.
After we receive your application, we’ll review it and send you:
- a letter confirming that the first-generation limit is still in effect,
- a request for information about your parents’ connection to Canada
- If the connection is substantial, we’ll prioritize your application.
- If the connection is not substantial, we’ll process your application normally.
- a confirmation that you can proceed with part 2 of the application.
We’ll also invite you to request a discretionary grant of citizenship. This means we'll review your situation and decide whether to grant you citizenship.
If you need citizenship urgently
- Write a letter to explain the urgency.
- Include the letter with part 1 or part 2 of your application.
Waiting for the first-generation limit to change
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many people is unconstitutional. The Court has suspended this declaration until January 20, 2026. This means the current rules still apply.
If you don’t want to apply using the interim measure, you can wait and apply after the first-generation limit changes.
You can apply for citizenship using an interim measure
Based on your answers, the first-generation limit may apply to you. You can either:
- submit a citizenship application for a person adopted by a Canadian citizen (part 1 of a 2-part application), or
- wait for the first-generation limit to change.
After we receive your application, we’ll review it and send you:
- a letter confirming that the first-generation limit is still in effect, and
- a confirmation that you can proceed with part 2 of the application.
We’ll also invite you to request a discretionary grant of citizenship. This means we'll review your situation and decide whether to grant you citizenship.
If you need citizenship urgently
- Write a letter to explain the urgency.
- Include the letter with part 1 or part 2 of your application.
Waiting for the first-generation limit to change
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many people is unconstitutional. The Court has suspended this declaration until January 20, 2026. This means the current rules still apply.
If you don’t want to apply using the interim measure, you can wait and apply after the first-generation limit changes.
You can apply for a citizenship certificate using an interim measure
Based on your answers, the first-generation limit may apply to you. You can either:
- apply for a citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab) now, or
- wait for the first-generation limit to change before applying.
After we review your application, we will:
- send you a letter to confirm that the first-generation limit is still in effect.
- invite you to request a discretionary grant of citizenship.
- This means we'll review your situation and decide whether to grant you citizenship.
Since you were born on or after December 19, 2023, we’ll also ask you to explain your parent's connection to Canada.
- If the connection is substantial, we’ll prioritize your application.
- If the connection is not substantial, we’ll process your application normally.
If you need citizenship urgently
You can request urgent processing. If you qualify, we’ll prioritize your application.
How to apply urgently for a citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab).
Waiting for the first-generation limit to change
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many people is unconstitutional. The Court has suspended this declaration until January 20, 2026. This means the current rules still apply.
You can wait until the first-generation limit no longer applies before applying for a certificate. By that time, you may be a Canadian citizen because of this change.
You can apply for a citizenship certificate using the interim measure
Based on your answers, the first-generation limit may apply to you. You can either:
- apply for a citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab) now, or
- wait for the first-generation limit to change before applying.
After we review your application, we will:
- send you a letter to confirm that the first-generation limit is still in effect.
- invite you to request a discretionary grant of citizenship.
- This means we'll review your situation and decide whether to grant you citizenship.
If you need citizenship urgently
You can request urgent processing. If you qualify, we’ll prioritize your application.
How to apply urgently for a citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab).
Waiting for the first-generation limit to change
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit for many people is unconstitutional. The Court has suspended this declaration until January 20, 2026. This means the current rules still apply.
You can wait until the first-generation limit no longer applies before applying for a certificate. By that time, you may be a Canadian citizen because of this change.