According to Maple News, if you have a parent or grandparent who was a Canadian citizen, there’s a strong possibility you may be a Canadian citizen by descent—even if you were born outside the country. This means you could be entitled to a Canadian passport, once you secure official proof of your citizenship.
Citizenship by descent is automatically granted to individuals born or adopted outside Canada, provided one of their parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of birth. Determining eligibility can begin with the online “Am I a Canadian?” tool offered by the Canadian government. If you’re confirmed to be a citizen by descent, the next step is to apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate before you can obtain a passport.
However, not everyone born abroad to a Canadian parent qualifies automatically. The First-Generation Limit (FGL) restricts the transmission of citizenship to only the first generation born abroad. Those impacted by this rule may be considered ‘Lost Canadians’—people who have been denied or stripped of their rightful citizenship due to technicalities in the law. In March 2025, Canada introduced interim measures making it easier for some of these individuals to regain or acquire citizenship through a discretionary grant.
You may qualify for this grant under one of four specific scenarios: if you were born or adopted before December 19, 2023 and affected by the FGL; were born or adopted later but your Canadian parent lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days before your birth; were born before April 1, 1949 and remain impacted; or lost your citizenship due to outdated retention rules under the old Citizenship Act.
To prove your citizenship, you must apply for a citizenship certificate—this process can be completed online or by mail. You’ll need application form CIT 0001, supporting identity documents, translations if necessary, and a $75 processing fee. Processing times currently stand at around five months, though complicated cases may take longer. Urgent processing is also available in select cases.
Once your certificate is approved, you are eligible to apply for a Canadian passport. The application requires documentation such as your citizenship certificate, valid ID, and passport-sized photos. You’ll also need a Canadian guarantor and two references. Passport options include a five-year passport at $120 or a ten-year option for $160. Processing times vary from one business day (for urgent cases) to up to 20 business days.
While having a Canadian passport isn’t mandatory to enter Canada as a citizen, it certainly simplifies the process—a worthwhile pursuit for those who are eligible. As policies continue to evolve, especially for ‘Lost Canadians,’ Maple News encourages eligible individuals to take the necessary steps to confirm their status and benefit from the rights that come with Canadian citizenship.
For those unsure about their status or affected by complex situations like the FGL, understanding these pathways can open access to travel, work, and residence opportunities in Canada.