[Canada passport. Photo Credit to Unsplash]

On November 25, 2025, the Canadian government recently announced that it plans to make it easier for second-generation children born abroad to obtain Canadian citizenship. 

This update has drawn even more attention to both the benefits and responsibilities that accompany citizenship, particularly for families who have spent many years living, working, or studying overseas.

Currently, Canada adheres to the “first-generation limit,” which means that only children with at least one parent who was born in Canada or later became a naturalized citizen automatically receive citizenship at birth. 

Because of this rule, many Canadian families working, studying or even temporarily living abroad must go through a separate application process when their second-generation children are born, and this process can be long, complicated, and stressful. 

In recent years, an increasing number of Canadian families have settled overseas for work, education, and international opportunities. 

Consequently, many parents have expressed concerns that the current law no longer reflects the reality of global mobility and unfairly separates children from automatic Canadian citizenship. 

The policy change is, therefore, intended to address these concerns and respond to growing demands from families affected by the first-generation limit.

The new policy aims not only to rectify this ongoing problem but also to support global Canadian families whose lives span multiple countries and time zones.

As the policy is being discussed, it has once again brought attention to the advantages of holding Canadian citizenship. 

One major benefit is the extensive political and social rights it provides. 

Citizens are eligible to vote in federal, provincial, and local elections, giving them a real voice in the decisions that shape the country’s future. 

They also receive steady access to public education, university scholarships, health-care services, and various other programs that help them build stable lives. 

Unlike permanent residents, citizens can remain outside Canada for extended periods without risking their status and are free to return whenever they choose. 

Another key benefit is easier international travel and improved career opportunities. 

The Canadian passport is widely respected, so crossing borders becomes simpler, and many countries offer smoother or faster visa processes. 

This can be especially helpful for families who move frequently or for children who plan to study or work in different countries as they grow up.

However, this new policy also carries potential disadvantages that deserve careful consideration. 

One potential drawback is the issue of dual citizenship. 

Although Canada allows people to hold more than one nationality, some  countries do not. 

If a child has citizenship from one of those countries, they may be required to give up their original nationality after becoming Canadian, which can create legal, emotional, and identity-related challenges. 

For example, countries such as India, Singapore, and Japan strictly limit dual nationality, meaning children born abroad who acquire Canadian citizenship may automatically lose their original citizenship or be required to choose one nationality once they reach adulthood. 

This can sometimes lead to family members having different nationalities, which can create unexpected restrictions on future opportunities, such as studying, working, or living in certain countries. 

Another disadvantage is the administrative responsibilities that continue even while living abroad.

Citizens are still required to file taxes, complete official paperwork, and respond to government requirements, which some people find stressful — especially when they must follow rules from multiple countries at the same time. 

These obligations can become complicated if the family is juggling life between several countries with varying legal and financial systems.

Even so, experts believe the new policy represents an important shift that better reflects the reality of global families today. 

As more people live, study, and work outside their home countries, governments must adapt their citizenship laws to match these shifting lifestyles. 

The Canadian government says that citizenship includes both rights and responsibilities and that the updated policy will help overseas Canadian families stay connected to their home country while having more flexibility and options for their future.

Overall, the proposed policy aims to reduce administrative barriers for families living abroad and create a more consistent process for second-generation children to obtain Canadian citizenship.

By updating the rules to reflect the realities of international mobility, the government aims to ensure that children born overseas to Canadian parents can maintain clear and stable legal ties to Canada.