Canadian Citizenship by Descent 2026: Why Canada is Now Easier Than Italy

For decades, obtaining a second passport through ancestry was synonymous with European nations—most notably, Italy. However, shifting political landscapes have completely inverted the rules of global citizenship by descent.

Last year, millions of Americans and global citizens lost their right to an Italian passport when Italy abruptly tightened its citizenship laws. Conversely, Canada has gone in the exact opposite direction. With the passage of Bill C-3 in December 2025, claiming a Canadian passport through your ancestors is now faster, broader, and more accessible than nearly any European alternative.

1. The Fall of Italy's "Jure Sanguinis" vs. The Rise of Canada's Bill C-3

The contrast between the two nations' approaches to ancestral citizenship could not be starker. Here is how the legal frameworks shifted in 2025:

2. How Canada's New Bill C-3 Works

On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, officially became law. The bill abolished the former FGL, which had previously prevented Canadian citizens who were born abroad from passing their citizenship onto their own children born abroad (creating the "Lost Canadians" crisis).

The new rules for Canadian citizenship by descent are divided strictly by the applicant's date of birth:

• Born BEFORE December 15, 2025: You are allowed to inherit citizenship by descent past the first generation with no generational limit, provided you can prove a direct ancestral connection to an original Canadian citizen (even a great-great-great grandparent).
• Born ON OR AFTER December 15, 2025: You can inherit citizenship by descent only if your Canadian parent (who was also born abroad) spent a minimum of 1,095 days (3 years) physically present in Canada prior to your birth or adoption.

3. The "American" Opportunity: Dual Citizenship

The removal of the generational limit has profound implications for millions of Americans, particularly those with deep family ties in regions like New England, where historic migration from Canada was massive.

Amid rising political and social tensions in the U.S., securing a Canadian passport has become an incredibly popular "Plan B." Because both the United States and Canada fully permit dual citizenship, Americans do not have to renounce their U.S. citizenship to claim their Canadian rights.

*Note: If you are a national of a country other than the US, you must verify your origin country's stance on dual citizenship, as some nations (like India or China) force individuals to forfeit their original nationality upon acquiring a new one.

Rights of a Canadian Citizen

Acquiring your citizenship by descent is not a "second-class" status. It grants you the exact same rights as someone born in Toronto or Vancouver, including:

• The absolute right to enter, live, and work permanently anywhere in Canada.
• The right to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections.
• The right to hold a Canadian passport.
• The ability to sponsor family members (like a non-Canadian spouse) for Canadian Permanent Residence.

4. How to Apply for Your Canadian Passport

You cannot simply apply for a Canadian passport with your ancestor's birth certificate. There is a specific, two-step legal process you must follow.

Step 1: Obtain a Proof of Citizenship Certificate

First, you must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a Proof of Citizenship Certificate. This requires gathering documentation proving your parent’s or ancestor's citizenship (e.g., historical birth certificates, naturalization records), along with vital records (marriage and birth certificates) confirming your unbroken lineage.

Step 2: Apply for the Passport

Once you have the physical Citizenship Certificate in your hands, you are officially recognized by the government. You can then take that certificate and apply for your Canadian passport, enjoying the new 30-day processing guarantee implemented this year.