Desk of Contents
With main adjustments coming to Canadian citizenship legislation by Invoice C-71 now Invoice C-3, getting citizenship by a grandparent is now a actuality however many individuals are questioning What about by a great-grandparent?
Right here’s what we all know and the place issues are nonetheless unsure.
Citizenship By means of a Grandparent: The Present Scenario
Below the outdated guidelines, you might solely inherit Canadian citizenship if:
- Your guardian was a Canadian citizen (by start or naturalization), and
- You had been born exterior Canada to that Canadian guardian.
In case your Canadian connection was solely by a grandparent, which means your guardian was not a Canadian citizen at your birth- you had no declare underneath the outdated guidelines. Citizenship couldn’t “skip” a era.
How Invoice C-71 / Invoice C-3 Modifications This
Invoice C-71 removes the “first-generation restrict” and can permit citizenship to move on to grandchildren born overseas.
As soon as the legislation is in impact:
- In case your grandparent was Canadian, you could possibly declare citizenship instantly even when your dad and mom by no means obtained it.
- For kids born after December 2023, there shall be a “substantial connection” check to make sure ties to Canada are maintained.
This marks a big shift in Canadian citizenship legislation.
Citizenship By means of a Nice-Grandparent: Is It Potential?
Invoice C-71 (now Invoice C-3) doesn’t explicitly grant a proper to say citizenship by a great-grandparent.
That mentioned, in sure conditions, it’d change into attainable relying on how the ultimate rules are written and in your particular household historical past.
The way it may work:
- In case your great-grandparent was Canadian,
- And your grandparent both inherited or may have inherited Canadian citizenship,
- You then could possibly apply because the grandchild of the Canadian citizen (your grandparent)
- Even when your dad and mom weren’t a Canadian citizen.
However this depends upon key components:
- Whether or not your grandparent shall be acknowledged as a Canadian citizen underneath the brand new guidelines,
- Whether or not the “substantial connection” requirement is met, and
- Whether or not the federal government chooses to acknowledge household hyperlinks the place an intermediate era (your guardian) by no means claimed citizenship.
At this stage, it stays extremely speculative. The legislation is evident about extending citizenship to grandchildren, however extending it additional to great-grandchildren will rely totally on how the brand new guidelines are utilized in follow and could also be very restricted.
In Quick
- When you have a grandparent was Canadian:
It’s possible you’ll now be eligible to start out the method of making use of for Canadian citizenship. - When you have a Canadian is a great-grandparent:
The scenario is extra complicated. Any potential pathway will rely on whether or not your grandparent is acknowledged as having inherited citizenship underneath the brand new guidelines and it’s not assured.
What To Do Now
If you happen to suppose you might qualify:
- Collect vital paperwork: start certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of your grandparent’s Canadian Citizenship.
- Hint the place every era was born adn lived.
- Observe our updates intently for the total implementation of Invoice C-71, together with detailed software directions.
Canadian citizenship by descent is documentation-heavy. Begin making ready your loved ones information early to keep away from delays as soon as the brand new guidelines are in place.
If you happen to imagine you might be eligible for Canadian citizenship primarily based on the above data then please get in contact and converse with an skilled now.
