Millions of Americans are now eligible for Canadian citizenship due to a recent law change that removed generational limits on citizenship by descent. The new law, known as Bill C-3, came into effect on December 15, 2025.
The legislation allows anyone born before that date to inherit Canadian citizenship from their ancestors. As of midday, the Canadian government estimates that millions may qualify by proving they have a Canadian ancestor.
Key statistics:
- The proof of citizenship application fee is 75 Canadian dollars ($55).
- Processing times for a certificate of citizenship are around 10 months.
- From December 15 to January 31, 1,480 people were confirmed as citizens by descent.
- Last year, 24,500 Americans gained dual U.S.-Canada citizenship.
The previous law only allowed citizenship by descent to be passed down one generation. This significant change aims to strengthen U.S.-Canada relations and offers benefits such as access to publicly funded healthcare for dual citizens.
Many Americans are motivated to seek Canadian citizenship due to political factors in the U.S. Amandeep Hayer remarked, “You are Canadian, and you’re considered to be one your whole life.” Maureen Sullivan expressed her astonishment at the bill’s passage: “When I first heard about the bill, I couldn’t believe it. It was like this little gift that fell in my lap.”
This surge in applications reflects a broader trend as more individuals with Canadian ancestry explore their options. Zack Loud stated, “My wife and I were already talking about potentially looking at jobs outside the country, but citizenship pushed Canada way up on our list.”