As we enter the first quarter of 2026, the global landscape of “citizenship by investment” and “citizenship by descent” has shifted on its axis. While countries like Portugal and Greece have spent years tightening their “Golden Visa” requirements, Canada has quietly opened one of the most significant doors to global mobility in modern history. With the official implementation of Bill C-3 (formerly known as Bill C-71) on December 15, 2025, Canada is now positioned to dominate the global demand for secondary passports.
For decades, Canada’s “first-generation limit” (FGL) acted as a firm ceiling, preventing Canadian citizens born abroad from passing their nationality to their children if those children were also born outside Canada. On December 15, that ceiling was shattered. The new law has not only restored citizenship to thousands of “Lost Canadians” but has effectively invited an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 new eligible individuals to claim one of the world’s most powerful travel documents.
For a detailed explanation of who qualifies, how citizenship by descent flows through parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, and how to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship under the amended law, consult our comprehensive guide to Canadian citizenship by descent under Bill C-3.
The End of the First-Generation Limit
The genesis of this shift began in late 2023, when the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in Bjorkquist et al. v. Attorney General of Canada that the first-generation limit was unconstitutional. The court found that the law created a “lesser class” of Canadians—those who, despite being citizens, could not pass their heritage to their children simply because of their place of birth.
The Canadian government chose not to appeal. Instead, they introduced a legislative remedy that is more inclusive than almost any other Western peer nation. Under Bill C-3, the rules for citizenship by descent have been bifurcated into two distinct categories: those born before December 15, 2025, and those born after.
1. The Retroactive “Reset”: Born Before Dec 15, 2025
For anyone born before the law’s enactment, the change is transformative. If you were born abroad in the second, third, or even fourth generation with an unbroken chain of descent to a Canadian born or naturalized, you are likely now automatically a Canadian citizen.
There is no “substantial connection” test for this group. If the lineage exists, citizenship exists. This retroactive restoration is what is currently driving a massive surge in “Proof of Citizenship” applications. For these individuals, the Canadian passport is no longer a distant dream; it is a legal reality waiting for a certificate to prove it.
2. The New Standard: The 1,095-Day Rule
For children born on or after December 15, 2025, the law introduces a “Substantial Connection” requirement. To pass on citizenship to a child born abroad in the second generation or later, the Canadian parent must demonstrate that they were physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) prior to the child’s birth or adoption.
This three-year threshold is a deliberate “sweet spot.” It is rigorous enough to protect the value of the Canadian brand, yet accessible enough for the millions of Canadians who live, work, or study abroad for a few years before starting families.
Why Canada? The “Value Proposition” of a Secondary Passport
In an era of geopolitical volatility, a Canadian passport is more than just a travel document; it is a “hedge” against uncertainty. Canada consistently ranks in the top ten of many Passport Index Measures, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 185 destinations.
However, the “Demand for Canada” under Bill C-3 is driven by more than just visa-free travel:
- Generational Security: Unlike “purchased” passports from Caribbean nations, which can be subject to international pressure or changing tax treaties, Canadian citizenship is rooted in a G7 nation with a stable constitutional framework.
- Consular Protection: As seen during the global disruptions of 2024 and 2025, the Canadian government’s capacity for consular assistance and assisted departures for its citizens abroad remains a significant draw for expats living in “frontier” markets.
- Access to the Canadian Economy: A secondary passport grants the right to live and work in Canada at any time, providing a safety net for professionals and an educational gateway for their children (who can then access much cheaper domestic tuition rates at world-class universities).
The “Lineage Gold Rush” of 2026
We are currently witnessing what many immigration practitioners are calling the “Lineage Gold Rush.” Families who previously thought their Canadian connection had “expired” are now digging through archives for grandfather’s birth certificates from the early 1900s Saskatchewan or 1860s Ontario.
Under Bill C-3, the law also rectifies long-standing gender inequities. Historically, Canadian women were often unable to pass on citizenship under the same conditions as men. The new law harmonizes these rules, ensuring that whether the “Anchor Relative” was a mother or father, the line of descent remains intact.
The Adoption Revolution
One of the most compassionate aspects of Bill C-3 is its treatment of international adoptions. Previously, adopted children of Canadians born abroad faced significant hurdles—and often outright blocks—in attaining citizenship. The new law ensures that a “legal” adoption abroad is treated with the same weight as a biological birth. Provided the parent meets the substantial connection test (only for post-2025 adoptions), the child is a Canadian. This has made Canada a premier destination for international families who reside in global hubs like Singapore or the UAE.
Navigating the New System
While the law is inclusive, the burden of proof remains on the applicant. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has made it clear that the unbroken “Chain of Descent” must be proven ideally through long-form documentation. This includes:
- Long Form provincial birth certificates of the Canadian-born ancestor.
- Marriage certificates to link name changes across generations.
- Detailed residency logs for the 1,095-day requirement.
For perfection, applicants will be advised to draw upon secondary sources of documentation such as census registries, death and religious records.
For those born in 1989, 1995, or 2010 who were previously told “No” by a Canadian officer, the answer in 2026 is a resounding “Yes.”
How Big Will Canada Become?
The legislative shift brought about by Bill C-3 is not merely a technical correction; it is a demographic tidal wave. To understand the scale of this change, one must look at the global market for secondary residency and citizenship. Over the past 25 years, it is estimated that formal Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs worldwide—from the Caribbean to Turkey—have issued a combined total of between 500,000 and 700,000 passports.
In a single legislative stroke, Canada has created a pool of potential new citizens that will dwarf the entire global output of the CBI industry’s last quarter-century.
Parliamentary Estimates vs. Emerging Realities
During the parliamentary debates leading up to the enactment of Bill C-3, in the Fall 2025, the government offered relatively conservative figures. Initial projections from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) suggested that approximately 150,000 to 300,000 individuals would be eligible to apply. However, these figures have been met with significant skepticism from opposition benches and migration experts alike.
The Bloc Québécois, among others, pointed out during House of Commons testimony that the government’s data likely significantly underestimates the “chain effect” of removing the first-generation limit. Some independent estimates now suggest the number of people with a legitimate claim to Canadian heritage—now legally enforceable—could reach as high as 500,000 – 1M people globally.
Conclusion: A Global Titan of Mobility
By removing the first-generation limit, Canada has done what few other Western nations have dared: it has embraced its global diaspora as a core part of its national identity.
In 2026, Canada is no longer just a destination for immigrants; it is a “homeland” for a vast, global network of citizens by descent. As the world seeks stability, mobility, and opportunity, the Canadian passport—bolstered by the fairness of Bill C-3—is set to become the most sought-after secondary status – on the planet.
