New Citizenship Rules Under Bill C-3: What Canadian Parents Born Abroad Need to Know

If you are a Canadian citizen born outside Canada, your future children may not automatically get Canadian citizenship. Here is what you need to know.

The Key Impact: What This Means for You

Starting December 15, 2025, a new rule called the "substantial connection test" takes effect. If you are a Canadian citizen born abroad and have a child born after that date, your child will not automatically inherit your citizenship unless you have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (about three years) before their birth.

This is a major change. It means that citizenship by descent can stop after just one generation if the parent born abroad has not spent enough time in Canada.

What Bill C-3 Does

Bill C-3, which took effect on December 15, 2025, does two things:

Restores citizenship to many people born before that date who can trace an unbroken line of descent to a Canadian ancestor.
Introduces a new restriction for children born after December 15, 2025, to Canadian parents who were themselves born abroad.

Who Is Affected

This rule affects:

Canadian citizens born abroad who are planning to have children after December 15, 2025.
Canadians living outside Canada who were recognized as citizens under Bill C-3.
Future generations — the test applies to every generation born abroad. If no parent meets the residency requirement, citizenship stops.

Example: A Canadian parent living in the U.S. who has never lived in Canada could have one child born in 2023 who is automatically a citizen. But a second child born in 2027 would not be a citizen unless the parent has spent 1,095 days in Canada before that birth.

What You Should Do

If you are a Canadian citizen born abroad and planning to have children, here are your options:

Give birth in Canada. Canada grants automatic citizenship to anyone born on its soil (jus soli). This bypasses the substantial connection test entirely. As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to enter and stay in Canada, making this a viable option.
Live in Canada for at least three years before your child's birth. This can be done at any time — it does not have to be continuous, but it must total 1,095 days.
Apply for your proof of citizenship as soon as possible. This ensures you can travel and plan accordingly. Without it, you may face delays or complications.
Consult an immigration lawyer or a registered Canadian immigration consultant for personalized advice. Every family's situation is different.

Bottom Line

Bill C-3 restores citizenship to many Canadians born abroad, but it also introduces a strict new rule: if you are a Canadian citizen born abroad, your children born after December 15, 2025, will not automatically get citizenship unless you have lived in Canada for at least three years before their birth.

If you are planning a family, consider giving birth in Canada or moving to Canada to meet the residency requirement. Act now to secure your child's citizenship.

For more details, read the full article at CIC News.