If you’ve ever wondered about your eligibility for Canadian citizenship, here’s some great news: if at least one of your grandparents is Canadian, you might just be in luck! Even if you and your parents were born outside of Canada, you may qualify for that coveted Canadian passport.

Let’s break it down:

If your parent was born in Canada, they are automatically a Canadian citizen. This means you can easily apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate, no matter where you were born! And don’t worry if your parent has passed away; you can still apply!

Now, what if your grandparent is Canadian, but your parent was born outside of Canada? This is where things get a bit tricky. Typically, you wouldn’t automatically be considered a Canadian citizen because of that 'first generation limit' rule. However, thanks to some new interim measures, you now have a chance to apply for a discretionary grant of citizenship.

This grants you the opportunity to present your case to the IRCC, along with proof of your grandparent’s citizenship, possibly leading you to a citizenship certificate and ultimately a passport.

Ready to apply? You can start by visiting the government website. They’ll guide you through the application process, including whether to apply online or via paper. Don’t forget—the application fee is $75, and you’ll need to submit various documents!

Once you have your citizenship certificate, applying for a Canadian passport is the next step. Just gather your proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and two passport photos, then fill out the application form available online or at Service Canada centers.

Exciting, right? If you think you might qualify, don’t hesitate to explore these steps!