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46m ago

Royal Assent Granted to Bill C-3 Ending Canada's Second-Generation Citizenship Cutoff

The overhaul awaits a cabinet proclamation after a court extended the implementation deadline to January 2026.

The Bill C-3 legislation addresses long-standing issues stemming from the controversial first-generation limit introduced in 2009.
​Canada’s Bill C-3, now law after royal assent, paves the way for more inclusive citizenship rules benefiting Indian-origin families.
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Overview

  • The law replaces the 2009 first-generation limit with a substantial-connection test requiring 1,095 days of cumulative presence in Canada by a Canadian parent born abroad.
  • Once in force, it will restore status to people who lost or were denied citizenship under previous rules and provide citizenship to those born before the start date who would have qualified.
  • The start date will be set by Order in Council, and interim measures for those affected remain in place until the proclamation.
  • Immigration lawyers expect a surge in applications when the provisions take effect, with IRCC preparing for operational pressures.
  • The reform is expected to benefit many Indian-origin families, following a 2023 court ruling that found the limit unconstitutional and drew support from immigration advocates and the minister.