Canada Abolishes Second-Gen Cut-Off, Blessing for NRI Families

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

In a significant development affecting numerous families of Indian descent, the Canadian government has decided to abolish the long-criticized “second-generation cut-off” policy. Bill C-3 — which aims to modernize citizenship laws by descent — has successfully received royal assent, representing a pivotal moment for those children who were denied citizenship solely for being born outside Canada.

This change allows Canada to broaden its definition of citizenship by descent, providing families residing internationally with a clearer future.

With the new regulations in place, individuals born prior to the law taking effect who would have been eligible for citizenship absent the previous restrictions will now be able to acquire citizenship once the legislation is enacted. Additionally, it will permit Canadian parents born or adopted abroad to pass on citizenship to their children born outside the country, as long as they maintain a significant link to Canada.

Officials state that this “substantial connection” requirement is designed to assist globally distributed families without diminishing the value of Canadian citizenship. While the specific date for implementation remains to be announced, interim measures will remain active until the law becomes official.

The previous policy, instituted in 2009, had prevented children from acquiring citizenship if their Canadian parent was born abroad. This created many complications, especially among families of Indian origin, who often navigate life across borders. Following a 2023 court decision in Ontario, which nullified the policy, the government moved toward establishing a lasting solution rather than appealing the ruling.

By eliminating the outdated cut-off and adjusting the law to reflect contemporary global mobility, Canada is prepared to offer much-needed clarity to families that have faced years of challenging and uncertain routes to citizenship. This modification is anticipated to provide both immediate and future relief once the legislation is in effect.