Interim Measure For Proof Of Citizenship Applications: Navigating The First-Generation Limit

Following the announcement of a new bill by the Canadian Government to remove the first-generation limit (FGL) for citizenship by descent on 23 May 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced an interim measure to address certain proof of citizenship applications that may be impacted by the current FGL rule.

The FGL generally limits citizenship by descent to persons who are born to a Canadian parent abroad in the first generation. In other words, Canadian citizens born outside Canada cannot pass on citizenship to their children born abroad. On May 23, 2024, the Canadian Government introduced Bill C-71, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act, to remove the FGL and allow Canadian citizens to pass on their citizenship to their children, regardless of their place of birth. However, until the new law takes effect, the current FGL rules remain in force. For details of the new bill, please read our published article "Canada Introduces New Bill to