In a landmark move that will significantly impact Indian-origin families worldwide, Canada has officially passed legislation that expands citizenship rights beyond the first generation born abroad. The historic Bill C-3 received royal assent after clearing the Senate, marking a pivotal moment in Canada's immigration policy.
What Bill C-3 Changes for Canadian Citizenship
The newly passed Bill C-3, formally known as an Act to amend Canada's Citizenship Act (2025), represents the most substantial update to Canadian citizenship laws in recent years. The legislation successfully passed through the Senate last week and has now received royal assent, completing its journey into law.
This legislative change specifically addresses the longstanding limitation that prevented Canadian citizens from passing citizenship to their children born abroad beyond the first generation. Under previous rules, children born to Canadian parents outside Canada could transmit citizenship only to the first generation born abroad, creating what many called "lost Canadians" in subsequent generations.
Implications for Indian-Origin Families
For the substantial Indian diaspora community in Canada, this legislative update carries profound significance. Many Indian-origin families who have established roots in Canada while maintaining connections to India will now have expanded options for preserving Canadian citizenship across generations.
The timing of this development is particularly relevant given the growing Indian community in Canada. With over 1.8 million people of Indian origin currently residing in Canada according to recent statistics, this policy shift will affect countless families who maintain transnational connections between Canada and India.
Understanding the Practical Impact
The amended Citizenship Act creates more inclusive pathways to citizenship for children born abroad to Canadian citizens. This means that Indian-origin Canadians can now pass citizenship to their children and potentially grandchildren born outside Canada, provided they meet certain requirements established in the new legislation.
This change is expected to benefit several categories of Indian-origin individuals: Canadian citizens living temporarily in India, those who have returned to India for family or business reasons, and families where one parent maintains Canadian citizenship while raising children in India.
The passage of Bill C-3 demonstrates Canada's commitment to maintaining strong connections with its diaspora communities worldwide. For Indian-origin families, this legislative update represents both practical benefits and symbolic recognition of their ongoing relationship with Canada across generations and geographic boundaries.
