Canada has brought a major change to its citizenship rules, opening the door for thousands of people to reclaim their status. Bill C-3 came into force on December 15, 2025, restoring citizenship rights to many individuals long known as “lost Canadians.” This shift arrived just as the federal government removed its long-running online citizenship checker.
Despite the removal of that service, a new independent online tool now helps people understand whether they qualify for Canadian citizenship under the updated law. The tool asks users to complete a short form and then explains whether their family history meets the new rules.
Many people qualify for citizenship if at least one parent was Canadian at the time of their birth or adoption. In some cases, even having a Canadian grandparent can make a person eligible. These changes affect people born outside Canada who could not claim citizenship in the past.
Once someone qualifies, they can apply to the federal government for proof of citizenship. After receiving that proof, they may apply for a Canadian passport. Citizenship allows people to live and work in Canada, vote in elections, and run for public office.
Citizenship by descent applies to people born or adopted outside Canada to Canadian parents. This differs from birthright citizenship, which covers children born inside the country.
Between April 17, 2009, and December 14, 2025, the law limited citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad. This rule, known as the first-generation limit, prevented many children of Canadians from gaining citizenship. Those affected often carried the label “lost Canadians.”
Children born abroad to parents who had inherited citizenship themselves did not qualify under the old law. Families faced long-standing frustration as generations lost their legal connection to Canada.
Bill C-3 has now erased those barriers for people born before December 15, 2025. The law automatically restores citizenship to those who lost it due to the first-generation limit.
For children born on or after that date, the law introduces a new requirement. A Canadian parent must show a strong connection to Canada. This means spending at least 1,095 days in the country before the child’s birth or adoption. The government designed this rule to balance fairness with meaningful ties to Canada.
Most people must apply online for proof of citizenship. Applicants need documents that confirm their family connection to Canada and must pay a $75 fee. Current processing times average about nine months.
As families review their history, many now see a clear path to citizenship that once seemed impossible.
Having an 'Identity Verified' badge or being 'Identity Verified' simply indicates that an individual has submitted information to complete our identity verification process or we have conducted internal verification using various authorized websites. While this process includes safeguards, it does not guarantee that the person is who they claim to be.
If you encounter any issues with this profile, please report them here. While all consultants who are verified have RCIC ID, we may not have the latest data in terms of their renewal/cancellation/discontinuation of their RCIC ID.
The "Verified Consultants" profiles are created using publicly available information, including data from the IRCC website, official consultant sites, other listing platforms, and social media. Immiperts.com is an independent platform, not affiliated with IRCC or any registered immigration consultants. To update, claim, or remove your profile, please contact us at [email protected].
╳