Children

[SeanC]

Hello!

I am new to this forum and I can't seem to find the answer to this question on search. I am engaged to a Canadian and the question is about her and if we have children.

My fiance was born abroad (in 1985) to Canadian parents, (one with dual nationality - UK) they were not working for the Canadian government. She holds both passports and is now living in the UK. She has lived in Canada from the age of 5 till she was 23. If we have children in the future, and they are born in the UK, would the children also get a Canadian passport or do they have to be born in Canada? As we are thinking of long term moving to Canada, however due to the long waiting times for PR etc, things may happen before then!

Thanks!

 

[screech339]

The children would not get Canadian citizenship if they were born outside Canada due to the fact your soon to be wife is a second generation Canadian (born abroad to Canadian born Parent or naturalized Canadian parent).

 

[Donvalley]

The first generation limit is your wife (born abroad). Your wife (Canadian parent of kids) can not pass citizenship by descent to your kids, unless they are born in Canada.

Since April 17, 2009, Canadian parents can only pass citizenship to their children born outside of Canada if, at the time of their birth:
one of the parents was born in Canada or
one of the parents became a Canadian citizen by being granted citizenship, also known as naturalization

Feel free to check many scenarios listed here: > Scenarios
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/rules_2009/adoption.asp

I think first one (Scenario 1: Child born to a Canadian parent outside Canada) is similar to your case; if you guess Angela as your wife!

 

[SeanC]

Ok, thanks for those brilliant replies. Answered my question perfectly.

So Im assuming my then wife would have to apply for PR for myself and our child when we decide to move to Canada ? - A question on this, would myself and our child be able to hold a Canadian and UK passport? - I understand this is a longer process after getting PR to actually gain citizenship or would we have to "give up" our UK passports?

 

[Msafiri]

Ok, thanks for those brilliant replies. Answered my question perfectly.

So Im assuming my then wife would have to apply for PR for myself and our child when we decide to move to Canada ? - A question on this, would myself and our child be able to hold a Canadian and UK passport? - I understand this is a longer process after getting PR to actually gain citizenship or would we have to "give up" our UK passports?

Both the UK and Canada allow dual citizenship so you can have both nationalities. On the flip side any of your children born out of the UK will be British citizens by descent...they too will be limited in not being able to passing on their UK citizenship to any of their kids born outside the UK (when the time comes)

 

[screech339]

Ok, thanks for those brilliant replies. Answered my question perfectly.

So Im assuming my then wife would have to apply for PR for myself and our child when we decide to move to Canada ? - A question on this, would myself and our child be able to hold a Canadian and UK passport? - I understand this is a longer process after getting PR to actually gain citizenship or would we have to "give up" our UK passports?

Keep this in mind regarding canadian citizenship. After your wife sponsors you and the child for PR, the child can apply for Canadian citizenship without the residency requirements, only maintain PR status. Meanwhile you would have to meet the residency qualification of 4 out of 6 year to qualify. The new citizenship rules will go in effect june/july 2015 timeframe.

Screech339