According to Maple News, individuals born outside Canada may still qualify for Canadian citizenship if they have a Canadian parent. This process, known as ‘citizenship by descent,’ allows eligible applicants to obtain a Canadian citizenship certificate—an essential requirement to apply for a Canadian passport.
Under Canada’s current law, only the first generation born abroad to Canadian citizens are automatically eligible for citizenship by descent. This limitation, known as the First-Generation Limit (FGL), excludes individuals whose Canadian parent was also born abroad and inherited their citizenship from a grandparent.
In response to a 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that deemed the FGL unconstitutional, the federal government introduced interim measures in March 2025. These allow certain affected individuals to apply for a discretionary grant of citizenship. To be eligible, you must fall into one of four categories, such as having been born abroad before December 19, 2023, or having lost citizenship due to outdated retention rules.
Applicants seeking a discretionary grant must first apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate. If deemed eligible by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), they’ll receive an invitation to apply for citizenship under Subsection 5(4) of the Citizenship Act. Once approved, they can submit a Canadian passport application.
To apply for the citizenship certificate, individuals must complete the application package, submit the necessary documents, and pay the $75 processing fee. The average processing time is about seven months. It’s important to note that the certificate serves as proof of citizenship but is not valid for international travel.
With your citizenship certificate in hand, you can apply for either a five-year ($120 fee) or ten-year ($160 fee) Canadian passport. The process requires submitting Form PPTC 153, two passport photos, a guarantor, two personal references, and identification such as a foreign passport. Applications can be made by mail or at a Service Canada Centre, with an expected processing time of 10 to 20 business days.
Looking ahead, the federal government is working to amend the Citizenship Act permanently. In June 2025, Bill C3 was introduced to lift the FGL restriction. If passed, this legislation would allow Canadians by descent who meet the substantial connection test (having spent at least 1,095 days in Canada) to pass on citizenship to their children born abroad. The bill has completed its second reading and is progressing through the legislative process.
For Canadians navigating inherited citizenship rights, staying informed on legislative updates and understanding the application steps are essential for securing travel documents. Maple News continues to follow this evolving policy closely.