seven reasons you think you don’t qualify for canadian citizenship by descent
on december 15, 2025, bill c-3 came into effect, removing the first-generation limit that previously cut off citizenship by descent after one generation born outside canada. this change opened the door for thousands of people who'd previously not been eligible for citizenship. however, there are still many misconceptions that keep people from claiming citizenship. according to cic news, here are seven common misconceptions about canadian citizenship by descent.
what changed with bill c-3
the removal of the first-generation limit means that canadian citizenship can now be passed down to subsequent generations, regardless of where they were born. for example, if your parent was a canadian citizen at the time of your birth, you may be eligible for citizenship, even if you were born outside canada. for more information on the changes to citizenship by descent rules, visit the ircc website.
seven common misconceptions about canadian citizenship by descent
my grandparent was born in canada, but they moved away decades ago
having a grandparent born in canada can be a strong starting point for a claim. you can apply for proof of citizenship under bill c-3, depending on the chain between them and you. canada recognizes birthright citizenship, which means that those born on canadian soil automatically become canadian citizens, in most cases. this is because the country values the connection between its citizens and their place of birth.
i have a canadian ancestor, but that was several generations ago
some people assume that if their canadian ancestor is several generations back, the connection is too distant to count. however, the distance in generations does not disqualify you. what matters is whether each person in the chain was a citizen at the time the next person was born. this means that you can still be eligible for citizenship, even if your canadian ancestor is several generations removed.
i was not born in canada, nor have i lived there
citizenship by descent flows through your parent, not just by being born in canada. if your parent was a canadian citizen when you were born, you may already be a citizen yourself, regardless of where you were born, and whether you lived there or even visited the country. this is an important distinction, as many people assume that they must have been born in canada or have lived there to be eligible for citizenship.
my parents never held a canadian passport or knew they were canadian
citizenship by descent does not depend on anyone claiming it. your parent may have been a canadian citizen their whole life without a passport, a certificate, or any idea that they qualified. an unclaimed citizenship is still a citizenship, and it still passes to you. this means that you can still be eligible for citizenship, even if your parents did not know they were canadian or did not claim their citizenship.
we don't have any real ties to canada anymore
no property, no relatives who still live there, no trips back. none of these are factors that determine eligibility for citizenship by descent. what matters for canadian citizenship by descent is ancestry and documented lineage, not how connected a family feels to canada today. this is an important point, as many people assume that they must have strong ties to canada to be eligible for citizenship.
my grandparent or ancestor has no proof they were born in canada generations ago
a missing birth certificate can be a challenge, especially when the person in question was born decades or even a century ago. however, it does not have to be a dead end. vital statistics offices and provincial or territorial archives keep historical records, and can issue certified copies on request. for example, you can contact the vital statistics office in the province where your ancestor was born to see if they have any records.
my ancestor changed their surname after they got married, making documentation impossible
a name that changed across generations does not break your claim. it needs a marriage record to bridge it. a marriage certificate that shows both the maiden and married names creates the link between documents issued before and after the change, connecting a birth certificate under one name to later records under another. this means that you can still establish a clear chain of citizenship, even if your ancestor changed their surname.
for more information on canadian citizenship, you can visit our citizenship page or learn more about the express entry program, work permits, study permits, and provincial nominee programs. if you're interested in sponsoring a family member, check out our family sponsorship page. Official current rules are at canada.ca/immigration; this guide is independent reference content.