Canada Introduces Bill To Extend Citizenship By Descent: How Will It Benefit Indians

Canada has taken a major step toward reforming its citizenship laws by introducing Bill C-3, a proposal that could significantly benefit the Indian diaspora and Canadians with roots abroad. Tabled in Parliament on Thursday by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, the bill aims to extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation.

The law enacted in 2009 limits Canadian citizenship by descent to only the first generation born outside Canada. Under this restriction, Canadian citizens who were themselves born abroad cannot pass on their citizenship to children born or adopted outside the country. This rule has prevented many families from granting their children Canadian citizenship, despite strong personal and professional ties to Canada.

What Does Bill C-3 Propose?

Minister Diab’s Bill C-3 seeks to remedy this situation by automatically granting citizenship to individuals who would be citizens today if not for the 2009 first-generation limit or outdated citizenship provisions. Creating a new framework for future citizenship by descent, which allows children born or adopted abroad to qualify for Canadian citizenship if at least one parent has spent 1,095 cumulative days (three years) physically present in Canada prior to the child’s birth or adoption.

This reform is designed to better reflect the realities of modern Canadian families, many of whom live transnational lives due to work, study, or other circumstances.

ALSO READ: From Kashmir To Colorado: Multiple Killings Mirror One Extreme Ideology | Expert Warns Of ‘Global Intifada’

How Will It Benefit Indians?

The Indian diaspora, one of the largest immigrant groups in Canada, stands to benefit substantially from this change. With many Indian-origin Canadians working or studying abroad, the current law has placed limitations on their ability to pass citizenship to their children. Bill C-3 opens the door for them to do so, provided they meet the physical presence requirement.

This reform also comes at a time when immigration policies in the United States have become more restrictive. On January 20, the Trump administration ended automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the US to parents on temporary visas like H-1B and F-1. This has made Canada’s inclusive immigration policies even more attractive to Indian professionals and students considering long-term settlement.

ALSO READ: Glorifying Indira Gandhi’s Killers? Canadian Journalist Attacked After Confronting Khalistani Extremists

What Happens Next?

Bill C-3 must go through three readings in both Houses of Parliament and receive Royal Assent before becoming law. If passed, the government has pledged to implement the changes swiftly and will provide detailed information for eligible individuals on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.