Discover how Canada’s new 2026 citizenship rules may let you claim citizenship through a Canadian great‑grandparent, even if your family has lived abroad for generations.
Can Your Family History Make You Canadian?
Canada’s new citizenship rules mean that in some cases, a Canadian great‑grandparent can now open the door to citizenship. But only if each generation in between could also have been Canadian and you fit the new timelines and connection tests. This blog post is designed for readers of kismigration.ca who are exploring whether their Canadian ancestry can finally make them Canadian in 2026.
What changed in Canadian citizenship law?
On 15 December 2025, Bill C‑3 (An Act to amend the Citizenship Act) came into force and fundamentally changed citizenship by descent. The previous “first‑generation limit” that cut off citizenship for many grandchildren and great‑grandchildren of Canadians has been removed for people born before that date.
Under the old rules, a Canadian born outside Canada generally could not pass citizenship to children also born abroad, which created thousands of “Lost Canadians.” Bill C‑3 restores or grants citizenship to many of these individuals and allows citizenship to “flow” back through multiple generations, as long as there is an original Canadian “anchor” in the family line.
Can you become Canadian through a great‑grandparent?
The short answer is: sometimes, yes. Bill C‑3 makes it possible for citizenship to be recognized through grandparents or even great‑grandparents for people born before 15 December 2025, provided that each link in the chain would have been a citizen but for the old first‑generation rule.
In practice, this means:
- If your great‑grandparent was a Canadian citizen (by birth in Canada or by naturalization), they can serve as the “anchor” ancestor.
- Your grandparent and parent may now be retroactively recognized as citizens by descent, which in turn can make you a citizen at birth.
- There is no fixed generational cut‑off for births that took place before 15 December 2025, as long as the legal chain of descent can be reconstructed.
For children born or adopted abroad on or after 15 December 2025, a new “substantial connection” test applies: the Canadian parent must usually show at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption to pass citizenship automatically.
Who might qualify in 2026?
You may have a potential claim to Canadian citizenship in 2026 if one or more of the following is true:
- You were born outside Canada before 15 December 2025 and have at least one Canadian‑born or naturalized great‑grandparent.
- A parent or grandparent was born abroad to a Canadian but never held (or lost) citizenship because of the old first‑generation limit.
- Your family previously looked into citizenship and was told it was impossible because the Canadian ancestor was “too far back” in the family tree.
However, you will not qualify automatically in every situation. Key limits still apply:
- The original ancestor must truly have been a Canadian citizen under the law at the time (for example, not just a long‑term resident).
- The chain of relationships (parent → child) must be legally recognized for each generation.
- In some scenarios, especially for people born after December 2025, the substantial connection rule can still block automatic transmission.
A typical example: your great‑grandmother was born in Saskatchewan, moved overseas, your grandfather and mother were born abroad, and you were also born abroad before 2025. Under Bill C‑3, your grandfather and mother can be recognized as citizens retroactively, which may mean that you were in fact a Canadian from birth — you just never had proof.
How to start: proof, not a “new” application
If you are already a citizen by descent under the new rules, you do not “apply for citizenship” in the same way as a permanent resident; you apply for proof of citizenship (a citizenship certificate). This proof is essential for a Canadian passport, access to services, and confirmation of legal status.
For most people with Canadian great‑grandparents, the process will involve:
- Tracing your family line: identify the ancestor who was Canadian and chart each generation between you and them.
- Gathering documents: Canadian birth or naturalization records for the anchor ancestor, birth and marriage records for each generation, name‑change documents, and proof of your own identity.
- Filing a proof of citizenship application: choosing the correct application route (online or paper) and ensuring your file clearly explains how Bill C‑3 applies to you.
Because these applications are document‑heavy and often involve complex timelines, many families benefit from a proper analysis before they invest in obtaining older records.
How KIS Migration can help
The new multigenerational rules are generous, but they are also technical and depend heavily on individual family histories. At KIS Migration, we can:
- Assess whether your Canadian great‑grandparent (or another ancestor) can serve as a valid anchor under Bill C‑3.
- Map out the legal chain of citizenship through each generation and identify any weak points or gaps in the evidence.
- Prepare a tailored proof of citizenship strategy and application package designed to minimize refusals and requests for more information.
If you have Canadian great‑grandparents and thought you were “too far removed” to ever become Canadian, 2026 is the right time to take a fresh look at your options.
Disclaimer
Information provided in this article does not constitute immigration or citizenship advice. Only authorised representatives are allowed to assist applicants with immigration and citizenship services for a fee. In addition, immigration laws, regulations, and policies are changing constantly.
If you need help with the assessment of your case, then obtain sound advice from Mrs. Katharina Kontaxis, RCIC-IRB. Only with a proper case strategy can you reach your goal of Canadian permanent residence or Canadian citizenship.
KIS Migration offers a full range of Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Consulting Services in English, French and German. Its business model of Keeping It Simple is key to success. Everyone’s path to Canada is unique! KIS Migration assists you on your journey to Canada while making the process easy for you. Let KIS Migration help you realize your Canadian Dream!
