New citizenship rules

A new law amending the Citizenship Act came into effect on April 17, 2009. The new law gives Canadian citizenship to certain people who lost it and to others who are recognized as citizens for the first time. It also protects the value of citizenship by limiting citizenship by descent to one generation outside Canada.

Find out more about the new law.

Frequently asked questions

• New citizenship law
• Adoption
• Retention of citizenship

True or False?

• People who lost their citizenship between 1947 and 1977 when they were minors can regain their Canadian citizenship
• Children born outside Canada to a Canadian parent between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, automatically became Canadian citizens
• Many Canadians born abroad have “lost” their citizenship
• World War II war brides in Canada are Canadian citizens