Canadian Law Grants Citizenship to Millions of Americans
A recent change in Canada's citizenship laws has enabled millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry to qualify for dual citizenship. The law, effective December 15, extends citizenship by descent beyond one generation. This has resulted in increased applications from U.S. residents motivated by various factors including politics and family ties.
cicnews.comA new Canadian law has expanded eligibility for citizenship by descent, allowing individuals with Canadian grandparents or more distant ancestors to apply for recognition as citizens. The change took effect on December 15 and applies to those born before that date who can prove a direct Canadian lineage.
For those born on or after December 15, applicants must show that their Canadian parent lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days. Under the law, eligible descendants are considered Canadian citizens from birth but must submit proof to obtain a certificate.
Immigration lawyers in the United States and Canada report a significant increase in inquiries and applications since the law's implementation.
Zack Loud of Farmington, Minnesota, learned he qualified through his Canadian grandmother and stated that it elevated Canada as a potential relocation option for him and his wife. Michelle Cunha of Bedford, Massachusetts, said she decided to move to Canada after years of political activism in the U.S., expressing disappointment in the country's progress toward equality and freedom.
Troy Hicks of Pahrump, Nevada, mentioned an international trip where negative perceptions of the U.S. influenced his decision, noting that a Canadian passport seemed more appealing. Maureen Sullivan of Naples, Florida, whose grandmother was Canadian, described the law as an unexpected opportunity providing future security amid concerns over U.S. immigration enforcement.
She highlighted a family excitement about the possibility.
The application fee for proof of citizenship is 75 Canadian dollars, equivalent to about $55. Additional costs may arise for those needing legal or genealogical assistance to gather required documents such as birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Michelle Cunha estimated her total costs, including attorney fees, at around $6,500. Mary Mangan of Somerville, Massachusetts, filed her application independently in January using online resources and suggested that many applicants could handle the process without professional help.
In 2025, 24,500 Americans obtained dual U.S.-Canada citizenship.
attorney Amandeep Hayer, based near Vancouver, British Columbia, reported his practice handling over 20 consultations per day, up from about 200 cases annually. He explained that applicants are seeking recognition of an existing right. Nicholas Berning, an immigration attorney at Boundary Bay Law in Bellingham, Washington, said his firm has prioritized these cases due to high demand.
Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa, stated that Canadians are generally welcoming but some express concerns about applicants with minimal ties potentially delaying processing for refugees and asylum-seekers.
