Citizenship

A law that took effect at the end of 2025 means more people than ever may already be Canadian citizens through a parent or grandparent — and the next step for many of them is to prove it. If you think citizenship by descent might apply to you, the hard part is rarely eligibility. It is documentation. Strong proof of Canadian citizenship rests on official records, and a claim built on anything less can stall, even after it has been approved. Here is how the process actually works and what you need to get right.

What Bill C-3 Changed About Citizenship by Descent

For years, a “first-generation limit” stopped Canadian citizens born outside Canada from automatically passing citizenship to a child who was also born abroad. Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act, changed that. It received royal assent on November 20, 2025 and, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), came into force on December 15, 2025.

The new framework extends citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. People born before December 15, 2025 in the second or a later generation abroad are now recognized as citizens retroactively. For children born on or after that date, the generational chain can continue, but the Canadian parent must show a “substantial connection” to Canada — at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in the country before the child’s birth or adoption. In short, the door is open to many more families, but being a citizen and having documents to prove it are two different things.

Why Some Approved Claims Are Being Re-Examined

This matters because of a recent, widely reported development. In mid-June 2026, IRCC is reported to have contacted a group of people who had already received their citizenship certificates to say their approved claims were being placed “under review,” and to ask for the certificates back while the files were re-examined. Importantly, this is described as a review of the proof on file — not a revocation of citizenship itself.

The reported reasons come down to documentation. Two issues stand out: supporting documents that did not come from an official source authority, and missing written explanations where a required record could not be obtained. That is the practical lesson for anyone applying now. A claim is only as strong as the records behind it, and IRCC expects those records to come from the bodies that actually issue them.

What Counts as Strong Proof of Canadian Citizenship

When you apply for a citizenship certificate — the document that serves as your proof of Canadian citizenship — you are essentially building a paper chain from your Canadian ancestor down to you. Each link needs to be backed by an official record rather than a copy, a summary, or a family keepsake. In general, that means:

• Records from the issuing authority. Birth, marriage, and similar records should come from the relevant vital-statistics office, civil registry, or provincial or national archive — not a photocopy or a privately produced version.
• Documents connecting each generation. You need to show the relationship at every step: your Canadian parent or grandparent to the next generation, and so on down to you.
• Proof for the substantial-connection test, where it applies. If your child was born on or after December 15, 2025, evidence of your 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada becomes part of the file.
• A written explanation when a record genuinely does not exist. If an official document is unavailable, a “letter of no record” from the authority, together with a clear written account of the steps you took to find it, helps show you made a real effort rather than simply leaving a gap.

Action Steps to Build a Solid Claim

Whether you are applying for the first time or want to be confident your file would hold up, work through these steps:

1. Map your family line. Identify the Canadian citizen you descend from and write out each generation between that person and you. This tells you exactly which records you need.
2. Order official source documents early. Request certified records directly from the issuing authority for each link in the chain. These can take time to arrive, so start now rather than close to filing.
3. Fill gaps the right way. If a record cannot be located, obtain a letter of no record and prepare a short, factual explanation of your search. Do not leave a missing document unexplained.
4. Keep your own copies organized. Hold every certificate, record, and explanation together so you can respond quickly if IRCC asks for more — including if you ever receive a review request.
5. If you receive a review notice, respond, do not ignore it. A request to re-examine a file is an opportunity to strengthen it with better source documents. Treat the deadline seriously and answer with the official records IRCC has asked for.

A few details are still settling as IRCC applies the new rules in practice, and processing for proof of citizenship has been slow — measured in months. If any requirement is unclear for your family’s situation, confirm the current rules directly through IRCC before you file rather than relying on assumptions.

The Bottom Line

Bill C-3 has made citizenship by descent a reality for many more people, but recognition on paper still depends on the quality of your documents. The applicants who fare best are the ones who build their claim on official source records, explain any gaps honestly, and keep everything organized from the start. That is what turns “I think I’m a citizen” into proof that stands up.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for citizenship by descent, or you want help assembling a claim that will hold up, contact hello@bisonimmigration.com today for a personalized assessment.

The Journey to Canadian Citizenship Takes Time

Becoming a Canadian citizen through naturalization is a significant milestone that requires patience and careful planning. From meeting residency requirements to receiving your citizenship certificate, the entire process typically spans more than four years. Understanding each stage of this journey can help you better prepare and avoid unexpected delays.

At Bison Immigration Consulting, we help permanent residents navigate the complexities of the citizenship application process. Let’s break down the timeline and requirements you need to know.

Meeting the Physical Presence Requirement

Before a permanent resident can apply for Canadian citizenship, they must satisfy the physical presence requirement. This means being physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the five years immediately before submitting your application.

Important considerations include:

• A minimum of 730 days must be spent as a permanent resident
• Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident (visitor, student, or worker) may count toward this requirement
• Temporary resident days are calculated at half value, with a maximum credit of 365 days
• The same half-day calculation applies to those holding temporary resident permits and protected persons

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recommends exceeding the minimum 1,095 days to account for any potential calculation errors. Time spent incarcerated, on parole, on probation, or awaiting a refugee claim decision does not count toward this requirement.

Gathering Required Documentation

Before submitting your application, you’ll need to collect various documents and information. This preparatory stage can take anywhere from several days to several months, depending on your circumstances.

Required documentation typically includes:

• Travel history for the past five years
• Language test results (if applicable)
• Police certificates (if required)
• Supporting identification documents

Obtaining police certificates can take days to months, while booking and receiving language test results may require two weeks to a month. Reconstructing detailed travel history often requires accessing passport stamps, airline records, or border crossing documentation.

Completing and Submitting Your Application

Once you’ve gathered all necessary documents, completing the actual citizenship application should take between two to four hours. If applying online, you’ll have 60 days to submit after beginning the process, or you’ll need to start over with a new account.

Application Processing and the Citizenship Test

After submission, expect a significant wait. While IRCC’s service standard is 12 months for processing 80% of applications, current processing times hover around 13-14 months. At present, over 320,000 applicants are awaiting decisions on their citizenship applications.

Within weeks to months after submitting, you’ll be invited to take the citizenship test. For online applications, you have 30 days to complete it, with results provided shortly after.

The Citizenship Ceremony and Certificate

Upon approval, you’ll attend a citizenship ceremony where you’ll take the oath of citizenship. You’ll receive at least one week’s notice before the ceremony date.

Your citizenship certificate delivery timeline depends on your selected format:

• Electronic certificate: Available for download within five business days
• Paper certificate: Delivered via mail within two to four weeks for virtual ceremonies, or immediately at in-person ceremonies

Once you have your certificate, you can apply for a Canadian passport, which takes 10-20 business days to process.

Conclusion

The path to Canadian citizenship requires substantial time and careful attention to detail. From accumulating the required physical presence days to waiting for application processing and attending your ceremony, the complete journey typically exceeds four years. Understanding these timelines allows you to plan accordingly and ensure you meet all requirements.

If you’re a permanent resident considering applying for citizenship or want to assess your eligibility, our team at Bison Immigration Consulting can provide expert guidance tailored to your situation.

For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Understanding the Online Citizenship Test Process

Completing the Canadian citizenship test represents a crucial milestone on your journey to becoming a Canadian citizen. As of March 9, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that the online, self-administered format is now the standard method for testing applicants’ knowledge of Canada.

Whether you’ve already received your test invitation or are in the preliminary stages of your citizenship application, understanding the process will help ensure your success.

Test Format and Content

Question Bank and Structure

The online citizenship test draws from a question pool containing approximately 300 to 400 questions. IRCC has weighted each question to ensure consistent difficulty levels and balanced topic coverage across all test versions. Due to random generation, it’s extremely unlikely that any two applicants will encounter identical questions.

Each test consists of 20 questions in either multiple-choice or true-or-false format. Applicants must answer at least 15 questions correctly to pass, and you’ll have 45 minutes to complete the examination.

Study Resources

IRCC recommends using “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship” as your primary study guide. For additional preparation, consider utilizing free online practice tests available through resources such as the Richmond Public Library and Toronto Public Library.

Technical Requirements and Identity Verification

You must complete the test using a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet equipped with a functioning webcam. Mobile phones are not supported. Your webcam will remain active throughout the test to capture random photos verifying your identity and confirming you’re working independently.

Before starting, you’ll undergo an automated identity verification process. You’ll need one acceptable form of identification, such as:

• Canadian passport or travel document
• Provincial or territorial driver’s license
• Provincial or territorial health card
• Permanent resident card

You’ll use your device’s webcam to photograph yourself and your identification. Clear, readable images are essential—blurry or unclear photos may invalidate your test and require you to retake it.

Invitation Timeline and Attempts

IRCC sends test invitations via email, providing a 30-day window from the specified start date to complete the examination. You’re allowed up to three attempts within this period. If you miss this timeframe, you must contact IRCC to request a new invitation.

Test Rules and Integrity Requirements

Applicants must complete the test independently without any external assistance. You cannot:

• Receive help from another person
• Use unauthorized reference materials
• Take the test on behalf of someone else
• Have anyone else present during the test

Violations of these rules may constitute misrepresentation, a serious offense under Canadian immigration law that can result in application rejection, fines, criminal charges, and a five-year ban from Canadian immigration applications.

Results and Next Steps

Upon completion, you’ll receive a preliminary score out of 20. However, this isn’t considered official until IRCC reviews the test internally and confirms both your results and identity. If your Citizenship Tracker later shows the knowledge requirement as completed without receiving a follow-up letter, you’ve generally passed this stage.

Applicants who don’t pass after three attempts will typically be invited to attend a knowledge hearing with a citizenship officer, conducted either in person or via Microsoft Teams video conference.

Conclusion

The online Canadian citizenship test is a manageable step toward achieving your goal of becoming a Canadian citizen. By understanding the technical requirements, studying thoroughly using recommended resources, and following all testing protocols, you’ll position yourself for success. If you experience technical issues or receive unclear photos during your test, IRCC may request that you retake it or attend an interview.

Are you ready to begin your citizenship journey or need guidance on your application? Our team at Bison Immigration Consulting can help you assess your eligibility and navigate the process successfully.

For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Understanding Dual Citizenship in Today’s Global Landscape

As geopolitical uncertainty continues to shape our world, more individuals are pursuing dual citizenship as a strategic advantage. Holding Canadian citizenship alongside another nationality offers numerous benefits, including access to multiple passports and consular protections. However, dual citizens must navigate important considerations that affect their rights, obligations, and day-to-day experiences.

Key Considerations for Dual Citizens

Passport Requirements and Entry Rules

Many dual citizens assume they can choose which passport to present when traveling, but this isn’t always the case. Countries typically require citizens to use their national passport when entering. For instance, dual US-Canadian citizens must present their American passport when entering the United States, and their Canadian passport when entering Canada. When declaring your citizenship status at border crossings, it’s advisable to disclose all nationalities for complete transparency, even if officials may not expect multiple citizenships.

Social Perceptions and Disclosure

While dual citizenship is legally recognized in Canada and many other nations, societal attitudes can vary. In some contexts, holding multiple citizenships may be perceived negatively by government officials or members of the public who view it as divided loyalty. Before openly discussing your dual status in situations where disclosure isn’t legally required, consider the potential social and professional implications.

Consular Services Limitations

Although dual citizens theoretically enjoy the full benefits of both nationalities, practical limitations may apply. Some countries permit dual citizenship but restrict access to consular services from your other nationality while you’re in their territory. Additionally, certain nations may limit the consular support they provide to their own citizens who hold additional citizenships. Simply possessing both citizenships doesn’t guarantee complete access to all rights and privileges normally associated with each nationality individually.

Rights, Obligations, and Residency Requirements

Legal Obligations Apply Across Citizenships

Holding multiple citizenships means accepting the responsibilities of each country. One citizenship doesn’t exempt you from obligations tied to another. For example, American citizens must file annual US income tax returns regardless of where they reside. Similarly, citizens of countries with mandatory military service—such as Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan—remain subject to these requirements even when living abroad.

Citizenship Versus Residency Benefits

An important distinction exists between citizenship rights and residency-based entitlements. Canadian citizenship grants you the right to enter and live in Canada, but many benefits require actual residency. For instance, provincial health insurance programs have specific residency requirements—the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) typically requires residents to spend at least 153 days annually in Ontario. Similarly, Old Age Security (OAS) retirement benefits depend on meeting minimum Canadian residency periods.

The Evolving Nature of Citizenship

The landscape of citizenship rights continues to shift globally. Nations are increasingly moving toward viewing citizenship as a privilege rather than an inherent right. Recent legislative proposals in Canada and other countries reflect growing scrutiny of dual citizenship arrangements. Bill C-3 in Canada initially included provisions requiring citizens by descent to meet additional language and testing requirements, though these were ultimately removed. Dual citizens should recognize that their current status may be subject to future government policy changes influenced by public sentiment.

Conclusion

Holding dual citizenship with Canada offers valuable advantages but requires careful navigation of complex regulations, obligations, and social considerations. Understanding passport requirements, residency-based benefits, and your responsibilities to each nation is essential for maximizing the benefits of your status. As immigration laws continue to evolve, staying informed about your rights and obligations becomes increasingly important.

If you’re considering pursuing Canadian citizenship or have questions about your dual citizenship status, our experienced immigration consultants can help you assess your eligibility and navigate the process successfully.

For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com