Many people are surprised to learn that they may already be Canadian citizens without even knowing it. If your parent—or in some cases, your grandparent—was a Canadian citizen, you may have gained citizenship automatically at birth or adoption, even if you were born outside Canada. This is called citizenship by descent, and it could make you eligible to apply for a Canadian passport.
At Rio Immigration, we often hear from clients who want to know whether they qualify for citizenship by descent and what steps they need to take to prove it. Let’s break down how this process works, including when the first-generation limit (FGL) applies and how to apply for proof of citizenship and, eventually, a Canadian passport.
Who Has Citizenship by Descent?
If one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth or adoption, you may automatically hold Canadian citizenship by descent. This means you are already considered a citizen under Canadian law, even if you’ve never lived in Canada.
As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to enter and live in Canada. While you can enter with a foreign passport and proof of status, having a Canadian passport makes travel and entry into Canada much simpler.
To check your eligibility, you can use the Government of Canada’s official “Am I a Canadian?” tool.
The First-Generation Limit (FGL) and Lost Canadians
If your parent was also a Canadian citizen by descent (not born in Canada), you may be affected by the first-generation limit (FGL). In these cases, you may not automatically be a citizen, but you could qualify under discretionary grants of citizenship introduced by interim measures in March 2025.
You may be eligible if you fall into one of these situations:
- Born or adopted before December 19, 2023, and impacted by the FGL.
- Born or adopted on or after December 19, 2023, with a Canadian parent who accumulated at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before your birth/adoption.
- Born before April 1, 1949, and still affected by the FGL.
- Former Canadian citizens who lost their status due to retention requirements under the former section 8 of the Citizenship Act.
These individuals are sometimes referred to as “lost Canadians.”
How to Apply for Proof of Citizenship
To apply for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship), you must:
- Get the application package (form CIT 0001, instruction guide, and document checklist).
- Provide supporting documents such as two IDs, passport photos, translations if needed, and a fee payment receipt.
- Pay the $75 non-refundable fee.
- Submit your application either online or by mail.
Processing time is currently around five months, though complex cases may take longer. IRCC also offers urgent processing in special circumstances.
Applying for a Canadian Passport
Once you have your proof of Canadian citizenship, you can apply for a passport either by mail or in person at Service Canada. You’ll need:
- The application form (PPTC 153).
- Your citizenship certificate.
- Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, foreign passport).
- Two identical passport photos.
- A guarantor and two references.
Applicants can choose between a five-year passport ($120) or a ten-year passport ($160). Processing times range from 10–20 business days, with expedited and emergency options available.
The numbers, fees, and processing times mentioned in this blog are not fixed and may change based on updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for citizenship by descent or how the first-generation limit applies to your case, our team at Rio Immigration can guide you through every step from confirming your status to applying for proof of citizenship and finally securing your Canadian passport.
