Canadian Citizenship by Descent
🇨🇦 Canada visas · Ancestry
What it is
Acquisition of Canadian citizenship through a Canadian parent for individuals born outside Canada. Bill C-3 (effective December 15, 2025) updated the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent.
Key facts
- Category
- Ancestry
- Duration
- Lifetime, Canadian citizenship
- Application fee
- CAD 75
- Processing time
- 5 months
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Key requirements
- Born outside Canada before December 15, 2025: likely a citizen if at least one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of birth
- Born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, to a Canadian parent also born outside Canada: parent must have spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the birth
- Not automatically a citizen if your parent was granted citizenship only after your birth
- International adoptees must apply for a grant of citizenship rather than being automatic
- Apply for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) to confirm status
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 7 June 2026.