For years, Canada enforced a first-generation limit on citizenship by descent. Under these rules, citizenship by descent was restricted to the first generation born abroad. Individuals born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada were ineligible to inherit citizenship.
Following legal rulings, the enactment of Bill C-3 removed the first-generation cutoff. Under the updated regulations, individuals who can document a parent or grandparent born in Canada have a pathway to claim Canadian citizenship.
Under Bill C-3, qualifying individuals are exempt from language proficiency requirements, settlement fund proof, and Express Entry pools. The pathway requires submitting an application for a Proof of Citizenship certificate prior to applying for a Canadian passport.
Interactive Eligibility Checker
Do you qualify?
Answer this simple question to see if you should pursue the Bill C-3 pathway:
Was one of your parents or grandparents born in Canada?
How the Process Works: Step-by-Step
Applicants must establish a documented family lineage linking them to a Canadian-born ancestor. This process typically requires obtaining the ancestor's Canadian birth certificate, any applicable marriage certificates, your parent's birth certificate, and your own birth certificate.
You do not apply for a passport first. You must apply to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for a Citizenship Certificate. This application is done online or via mail. As of 2026, due to the high volume of American applicants, processing times can range from 3 to 8 months.
Once you receive your Citizenship Certificate in the mail, you are officially recognized as a Canadian. You can then take that certificate and apply for a Canadian passport at an embassy or consulate in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to give up my US citizenship?
No. Both the United States and Canada fully recognize dual citizenship. You can hold both passports and pass both on to your future children.
Will I have to pay Canadian taxes if I live in the US?
Unlike the United States, Canada taxes based on residency, not citizenship. If you are a Canadian citizen but live and work exclusively in the US, you generally do not owe Canadian income tax. You only enter the Canadian tax net if you establish "significant residential ties" in Canada (like buying a home and moving there).
Can my spouse come with me?
Your spouse does not automatically become a Canadian citizen. However, as a Canadian citizen, you have the absolute right to sponsor your spouse for Permanent Residency. This is a very straightforward process known as "Spousal Sponsorship," and they will get a work permit while the application is processing.
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