British Canadian Citizenship Grandparent: Claim via Bill C-3

If you're a British resident and one of your grandparents was born in Canada, you're likely a Canadian citizen right now—you just need to prove it. Bill C-3, which came into force on December 15, 2025, removed the first-generation limit that previously blocked second-generation Canadians born abroad from claiming citizenship by descent.

This guide walks you through the eligibility rules, the application process, and the practical benefits and considerations for UK residents holding dual British-Canadian citizenship.

Are you eligible if you have a Canadian grandparent?

The eligibility logic is straightforward. You qualify if:

• Your grandparent was born in Canada (or naturalised as a Canadian citizen before your parent's birth)
• Your parent is a Canadian citizen by descent (even if they were born outside Canada and never claimed or knew about their citizenship)
• You were born outside Canada before December 15, 2025

If you were born after December 15, 2025, your Canadian parent must meet the substantial connection test—1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before your birth.

The most common scenario: your grandparent was born in a Canadian province, emigrated to the UK (or elsewhere), and had children abroad. Those children are Canadian by descent, and so are you.

For a detailed walkthrough of the grandparent pathway, see our grandparent pathway guide.

Does the UK allow dual citizenship with Canada?

Yes. The United Kingdom permits its citizens to hold citizenship in other countries without any penalty or loss of British citizenship.

You do not need to notify the UK Home Office when you claim Canadian citizenship, and holding a Canadian passport does not affect your UK status in any way.

Canada also permits dual (and multiple) citizenship. You will not lose your Canadian citizenship by retaining your British passport.

What documents do you need to apply?

You'll submit Form CIT 0001 (Application for Citizenship Certificate) to IRCC's processing centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The application fee is $75 CAD.

Required documents

• Your birth certificate (full, official copy showing parent names)
• Your parent's birth certificate (full copy showing their parent—your grandparent—as a parent)
• Your grandparent's long-form Canadian birth certificate (provincial certificate showing both parents' names and place of birth)

If your grandparent was born in Quebec, you'll need the long-form certificate issued by the Directeur de l'état civil. These are in French and must be accompanied by a certified translation by a member of a recognised translators' association, with the translator's affidavit attached. See our Quebec birth certificate guide for details.

For other provinces, see our guide to obtaining a long-form birth certificate from Canada.

Certified copies and translations

IRCC requires certified true copies of all documents. In the UK, you can have documents certified by:

• A solicitor
• A notary public
• A commissioner of oaths

Your UK birth certificate (and your parent's, if born in the UK) will need to be certified, but it does not require translation—IRCC accepts English-language documents.

If any document is in a language other than English or French, you'll need a certified translation.

How long does the application take?

Current processing times for Form CIT 0001 range from 9 to 12 months, though some applications are completed faster. IRCC processes applications in the order received.

Once approved, you'll receive a citizenship certificate by mail. This is your official proof of Canadian citizenship. For more on what happens after you receive it, see after you get your Canadian citizenship certificate.

For a detailed breakdown of timelines, see our processing time guide.

Benefits of Canadian citizenship for UK residents

Living and working in Canada without a visa

As a Canadian citizen, you can live, work, study, and settle anywhere in Canada indefinitely—no visa, no work permit, no sponsorship required.

If you've ever considered relocating to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or any other Canadian city, citizenship removes every immigration barrier.

Access to Canadian healthcare and social programmes

Canadian citizens are eligible to apply for provincial health insurance (such as OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia) once they establish residency in a province. Most provinces require three months of physical presence before coverage begins.

You'll also have access to:

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions and benefits
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Old Age Security (OAS) if you meet residency requirements later in life

Easier travel to Canada

As a Canadian citizen, you can enter Canada using your Canadian passport without needing an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). While UK citizens can visit Canada visa-free with an eTA, having a Canadian passport simplifies entry and eliminates the need to renew eTA every five years.

You'll use the Canadian/U.S. citizens line at airports, which is often faster.

Passing citizenship to your children

Once you hold a citizenship certificate, your children can inherit Canadian citizenship—subject to the substantial connection test if they're born outside Canada.

If you move to Canada and accumulate 1,095 days of physical presence, any children born to you outside Canada afterward will be Canadian citizens by descent. See our substantial connection guide for details.

Access to NAFTA/CUSMA work permits in the U.S.

Canadian citizens can apply for TN status under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (CUSMA, formerly NAFTA) to work in the U.S. in certain professional occupations. This is faster and simpler than most U.S. work visas.

While this doesn't directly help you in the UK, it's a significant advantage if you're considering North American career opportunities.

UK-specific considerations

Tax implications

Canada taxes based on residency, not citizenship. If you live in the UK and do not reside in Canada, you have no Canadian tax filing obligation simply because you hold Canadian citizenship.

This is different from the United States, which taxes citizens regardless of where they live. Canada does not do this.

If you move to Canada and become a tax resident, you'll file Canadian taxes. The UK and Canada have a tax treaty to prevent double taxation on the same income.

For a detailed comparison of the U.S. and Canadian systems, see our post on dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship and taxes (the principles apply to UK citizens as well).

UK Home Office and security clearance

The UK Home Office does not prohibit dual citizenship, and holding Canadian citizenship does not disqualify you from UK security clearance or civil service roles.

However, some roles require you to disclose all citizenships during vetting. Be prepared to list your Canadian citizenship if asked.

Banking and financial disclosure

Some UK banks ask about additional citizenships or tax residencies when opening accounts. You should disclose your Canadian citizenship if asked, but as a UK tax resident, this typically has no impact on your accounts.

Canada does not impose FATCA-style reporting requirements on foreign banks the way the U.S. does.

Travel with two passports

You can hold both a UK and a Canadian passport. When travelling, you should:

• Enter and exit Canada using your Canadian passport
• Enter and exit the UK using your British passport

You're not required to show both passports at every border, but airlines may ask to see the passport you'll use to enter your destination country when you check in.

Common reasons for rejection

IRCC may reject your application if:

• You submit a short-form birth certificate instead of the long-form version showing parent names
• Your grandparent's Canadian birth certificate is missing or incomplete
• Your parent's birth certificate doesn't clearly name your grandparent
• Documents are not properly certified or translated

To avoid these pitfalls, review our CIT 0001 rejection reasons guide before submitting.

For a line-by-line walkthrough of the form, see our CIT 0001 step-by-step guide.

How arryv helps UK applicants

Arryv is a Canadian citizenship-by-descent application service designed to simplify the entire process. We help you:

• Confirm your eligibility under Bill C-3
• Obtain the correct long-form birth certificates from Canadian provinces
• Prepare certified translations (if needed)
• Complete Form CIT 0001 accurately
• Organise and certify your supporting documents
• Submit your application to IRCC

We work with UK residents regularly and understand the nuances of preparing British documents for Canadian immigration authorities.

Arryv is not a law firm. For legal advice about complex citizenship cases, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a Canadian immigration lawyer.

Next steps

If you're a British resident with a Canadian grandparent, the first step is confirming your eligibility. Our free eligibility quiz takes two minutes and tells you whether you qualify under Bill C-3, what documents you'll need, and what pathway applies to your family.

Check your eligibility now at arryv.ai/check — no email or sign-up required.