Canadian Citizenship by Descent — 2026 Rules
Current rules following the December 15, 2025 Citizenship Act changes: historical remedial citizenship, the new parent-presence test for certain post-2025 births, CIT 0001, CIT 0555 and supporting evidence.
What changed on December 15, 2025?
Canada changed its citizenship-by-descent rules when Bill C-3 came into force on December 15, 2025. This legislation largely modified the former First-Generation Limit.
The current system is date-sensitive. A person born outside Canada before December 15, 2025 can fall within the remedial provisions that make them a Canadian citizen automatically in the circumstances described by IRCC. A person born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025 to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada generally faces the new 1,095-day parent-presence test.
Current Rule at a Glance
Bill C-3 changed the Citizenship Act and largely modified the former First-Generation Limit.
For qualifying people born abroad on or after Dec. 15, 2025 to a Canadian parent also born abroad, the Canadian parent generally needs 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before birth.
The 1,095 parent-presence days do not have to be consecutive or immediately before the child’s birth.
IRCC uses CIT 0555 to calculate the Canadian parent’s physical presence when the new parent-presence requirement applies.
When the 1,095-Day Parent Test Applies
The current IRCC guidance states that people born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025 to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada are Canadian citizens when the Canadian parent was physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days before the person's birth.
| Question | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | On or after December 15, 2025 |
| Canadian parent | Parent is Canadian and was also born outside Canada |
| Parent physical presence | At least 1,095 cumulative days in Canada before the applicant’s birth |
| Consecutive days required? | No |
| Lifetime accumulation? | The relevant calculation can include different periods across the parent's lifetime before the birth |
The exact applicant circumstances still matter. The special rule has Crown-servant exceptions and interacts with the applicant's birth, parentage and adoption history.
Common Scenarios
Result: The new 2025 rules may make the person a Canadian citizen automatically in the circumstances described by IRCC.
Important context: Do not automatically apply the post-December-15-2025 1,095-day parent test to this historical category.
Result: The Canadian parent generally must have accumulated at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth.
Important context: Check the Crown-servant and other statutory exceptions.
Result: The special second-generation parent-presence rule described above generally does not apply.
Important context: The applicant may instead fall under the ordinary citizenship-by-descent rules, subject to the full Citizenship Act and proof requirements.
Result: Use the citizenship-for-adopted-person process where applicable.
Important context: Do not automatically use the ordinary birth-by-descent pathway.
Proving the Canadian Parent's 1,095 Days
When the new parent-presence requirement applies, IRCC requires evidence showing that the Canadian parent accumulated at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the applicant's birth.
CIT 0555
The current How to Calculate Physical Presence in Canada for a Canadian Parent (CIT 0555) form calculates the parent’s relevant physical presence period. IRCC's current form uses the Canadian parent's date of birth through the applicant's date of birth or adoption as the relevant period.
Examples of supporting evidence
- Passport and travel records
- Border entry/exit records
- School records or transcripts
- Employment records
- Rental agreements or mortgages
- Federal, provincial, territorial or municipal records
- Other documentary evidence demonstrating residence and physical presence
CIT 0001 and Application Route
CIT 0001 is the Application for a Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship). It is used when a person needs proof that they are already a Canadian citizen or wants IRCC to determine citizenship and issue the certificate where applicable.
IRCC currently states that if you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada, you must submit a paper application. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need CIT 0555 and documentary proof of the Canadian parent's physical presence.
International Adoptions
A person adopted outside Canada by Canadian citizens generally follows the citizenship-for-adopted-person process rather than simply treating the adoption as ordinary birth-based citizenship by descent.
Current IRCC guidance provides a separate adoption application pathway and documentation. For some second-generation or later adopted-person cases, the Canadian adoptive parent’s 1,095 days of physical presence can become relevant.
Crown-Servant Exceptions
The 1,095-day parent-presence requirement has statutory exceptions. The current IRCC guidance identifies a Crown servant exception for the Canadian parent when they were a Crown servant at the relevant time. IRCC also addresses related Crown-servant circumstances involving a Canadian grandparent under the current rules.
These are technical statutory exceptions and should be checked against the current Citizenship Act and IRCC instructions rather than treated as a generic exemption for anyone employed by the Canadian government.