Canada's "Lost Canadians" citizenship rules took effect on Monday, 15 December 2025, restoring automatic citizenship to many children born or adopted abroad to a Canadian parent who was also born outside the country.

The changes, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), reverse key elements of a 2009 law passed under former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. That law removed the automatic right to citizenship for descendants of Canadians born abroad.

The current Liberal government did not appeal a 2023 Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruling that found parts of the law limiting citizenship by descent were unconstitutional. Ottawa said on Monday it "agreed the law had unacceptable outcomes for children of Canadians who were born outside the country."

What does the new rule do?

The regulation extends automatic citizenship to children born or adopted abroad to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada.

To qualify, the Canadian parent must show a "substantial connection" to the country by having spent at least three years there prior to the child's birth or adoption.

Who counts as a "Lost Canadian"?

The term refers to people who lost or never acquired citizenship because of what Ottawa called "outdated provisions" of its citizenship laws.

The 2023 court decision came after the federal government under former PM Harper passed a 2009 law that removed the automatic right to citizenship for descendants of Canadians born abroad. The Liberal government did not appeal that ruling.

How many people could this affect?

IRCC said it does not have an exact number of how many people will be affected by the new regulations but expects that, over time, applications could be in the tens of thousands.

Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer, which provides independent analysis to parliamentarians, estimated in a 2024 assessment that about 115,000 people could be affected over the next five years.

What opposition did the bill face?

The bill drew sharp criticism from the Conservative Party. In November, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, the shadow minister for immigration, said the bill would allow "unfettered citizenship by descent and create untold citizens of convenience."

The Conservatives, with the backing of the Bloc Québécois, had sought amendments to the bill prior to it passing that would have demanded more stringent rules for citizenship, including language requirements and security checks for adults. Those amendments failed to pass in the House.

Who has already benefited?

According to the Globe and Mail, one of the first new citizens under the change is Alfie Jones, a British-born football player recently recruited to play for Canada in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His grandmother is from the province of Alberta.

The bill received royal assent earlier in 2025 before Monday's implementation.

Where to verify the change

Readers seeking the official text of the regulation and application steps should consult IRCC's website. The agency's published guidance supersedes any third-party summaries, and individual eligibility turns on the specific facts of each case.