Bill Expanding Citizenship by Descent Rules Becomes Law After Clearing Senate

Bill Expanding Citizenship by Descent Rules Becomes Law After Clearing Senate
Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab rises during question period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 5, 2025. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
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The “Lost Canadians” legislation, designed to amend Canada’s citizenship-by-descent rules, has now become law after passing in the Senate and receiving royal assent on Nov. 20.

The legislation, previously known as Bill C-3, makes several changes to the Citizenship Act, allowing Canadian citizens born abroad—who have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days—to pass citizenship to their foreign-born children. It also reinstates citizenship to individuals who had lost it under former regulations and simplifies the process for adopted children to obtain citizenship.