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Recent changes to Canada’s citizenship by descent rules have expanded who qualifies as a Canadian citizen. Many people who previously believed they had no Canadian status may now be citizens without realizing it. That is good news, but it comes with a practical complication: if you are a Canadian citizen, you cannot enter Canada the way a foreign national would.
Understanding how your citizenship status affects travel is essential, especially if you may have become a citizen automatically under the new law and have never held a Canadian passport.
What Changed Under the New Law
Recent amendments to the Citizenship Act, which came into force on December 15, 2025, broadened access to citizenship for people born outside Canada to Canadian parents or grandparents. Some individuals now qualify as Canadian citizens automatically as a result of these changes, even if they have lived their entire lives abroad and never applied for any Canadian document.
For those individuals, discovering their citizenship status is welcome news. But it immediately raises a question: how do you actually get to Canada?
Why Travel Gets Complicated
Canadian citizens must use a Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada. This rule applies regardless of whether you have ever held Canadian documents, ever lived in Canada, or have only recently become recognized as a citizen under the amended law.
The standard alternatives available to foreign nationals do not apply to Canadian citizens. You cannot board a flight to Canada using an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa if you are a citizen. This is true even for dual nationals, with one narrow exception: dual Canadian-U.S. citizens may board a flight to Canada using their U.S. passport, though carrying a Canadian passport is strongly recommended even in that case.
The result is that many people who have just learned they may be Canadian citizens find themselves in a difficult position: they are citizens, but they have no way to prove it, and they cannot simply apply for an eTA to fly over while they sort things out.
What to Do If You Need to Travel to Canada
Step 1: Apply for a citizenship certificate
The citizenship certificate is the only official document that confirms citizenship for a person born outside Canada. It is the foundation for everything else, including a passport application. Processing times are currently averaging around 12 months, so starting this process as early as possible is critical.
If you have an urgent reason to travel, such as starting a job or studies in Canada, you can request that your application be processed on an expedited basis. This option exists but is not guaranteed, and it requires documenting the exceptional circumstances.
Step 2: Apply for a Canadian passport
Once you have your citizenship certificate, you can apply for a Canadian passport. With a passport in hand, you can board any flight to Canada as a citizen.
What about the land border?
If you need to enter Canada before your passport arrives, Canadian citizens can use their citizenship certificate to prove status at a land border crossing. This is not an option for air travel, but it may be a practical route depending on your location.
Special authorization for existing dual nationals
There is a limited exception for dual nationals of visa-exempt countries (not including the U.S.) who have previously held a Canadian citizenship certificate or passport. These individuals may be able to apply for special authorization to board a flight. This option is not available to people who have just discovered their citizenship status and have never held Canadian documents.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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