Success: Citizenship (post Bill C-3)
Canadian citizenship is the apex of immigration status. We love to help clients come to Canada on temporary status, achieve PR status and then help them get citizenship. The passing of Bill C-3 has opened up citizenship to many “Lost Canadians” who may be outside Canada. We love helping those clients apply directly for citizenship, if they meet the requirements.
Minor Applicants
In this case, our clients are three minor children born in Belize and residing abroad with their Canadian father. Their father was not born on Canada. He is a naturalized Canadian citizen who obtained Canadian citizenship before the birth of all three children.
Under section 3(1)(b) of the Canadian Citizenship Act, children born abroad to a Canadian citizen parent may be entitled to Canadian citizenship by descent. Despite residing outside Canada and having limited forms of identification, the children were eligible to apply for Proof of Canadian Citizenship.
Key Challenges
This was a challenging file and we have been following Bill C-3 closely, as it directly applies to our clients.
- All applicants were minors residing outside Canada
- Limited identity documents and no government-issued photo ID other than passports
- Complex family circumstances, including shared custody for one child and no contact with the biological mother for two children
- Applications required careful documentation to establish citizenship eligibility and identity
The CIL team prepared and submitted three Citizenship applications in compliance with IRCC requirements. Each application included citizenship application forms under section 3 of the Citizenship Act, Use of a Representative forms and supporting documents. We also provided documentary evidence confirming that the father was a Canadian citizen prior to the children’s birth, which was a critical factor in establishing their entitlement to Canadian citizenship.
The Result – All three minor children were issued Canadian Citizenship Certificates in January 2026!
This outcome confirms their legal status as Canadian citizens and provides them with long-term security, international mobility, and future access to rights and benefits associated with Canadian citizenship.
Citizenship by descent applications can be complex, particularly when minors reside outside Canada and have limited identification. This case demonstrates the importance of clear legal analysis, thorough documentation, and experienced legal representation.
