The first generation limit rule is a restriction on Canadian citizenship and how many times it can be passed down by descent.
According to the rule, for children born outside of Canada from 17 April, 2009 onwards, Canadian citizenship can only be passed down one generation. This means that if the child was born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, they will not be Canadian if their Canadian parent was either:
Also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent
Granted Canadian citizenship under section 5.1, the adoption provisions of the Citizenship Act
This means that a child who belongs to the second generation of children born to a Canadian parent abroad would not be entitled to citizenship, unless the other adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen by birth or by naturalization.
However, this rule does not apply if any of the following are true:
At the time of the person’s birth, their parent was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person (a Crown servant)
At the time of their parent’s birth or adoption, the person’s grandparent was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or public service of a province or territory, other than as a locally engaged person (a Crown servant).