Canada Eases Citizenship Rules: Children Born Abroad Can Now Inherit Citizenship

A landmark law amendment has taken effect in Canada, allowing children of Canadian citizens born or adopted abroad to inherit citizenship, provided they have a significant connection to the country. The 'Lost Canadians' bill, aimed at modernizing the Citizenship Act, removes outdated rules that previously limited citizenship by descent. The change, which applies to children born before December 15, 2025, will enable Canadian parents born or adopted abroad to pass on citizenship to their children, as long as they can demonstrate a substantial connection to Canada. This includes having spent at least three years in the country prior to their child's birth or adoption. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this amendment creates a clearer and more consistent path for Canadian families living abroad. IRCC Minister Lena Metlege Diab hailed the change as a reflection of how Canadian families live today, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong connection to the country. The first-generation limit to citizenship by descent, introduced in 2009, had created complex immigration processes for Canadian citizens born outside Canada who later had children or adopted abroad. The amended Citizenship Act removes these barriers, allowing eligible Canadian parents to pass on citizenship to their children. Raghav Jain, a principal lawyer with Vantage Immigration Law, noted that this legislative reform reaffirms Canada's commitment to family reunification and will be particularly beneficial to Canadian citizens of Indian origin. The change is expected to have a positive impact on Canadian families living abroad, providing a clearer and more streamlined path to citizenship by descent.