Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under a new law
A recent shift in Canada’s citizenship rules is opening the door for millions of Americans to claim dual citizenship, sparking a wave of applications and inquiries on both sides of the border.
For some, the change has come as an unexpected discovery. Zack Loud of Farmington, Minnesota, said he learned that he and his siblings are already considered Canadian citizens because of their grandmother’s nationality. He noted that while he and his wife had been considering opportunities abroad, the new eligibility has made Canada a far more attractive option.
Immigration attorneys report a sharp rise in demand since the law took effect on Dec. 15. Nicholas Berning, a lawyer based in Bellingham, Washington, said his firm has been inundated with requests, forcing them to prioritize citizenship cases over other work. Amandeep Hayer, who practices near Vancouver, British Columbia, described a similar surge, with his caseload jumping from a few hundred cases annually to dozens of consultations each day.
The updated law significantly expands eligibility for citizenship by descent. Previously, citizenship could only be passed from a Canadian parent to their child. Now, individuals born before Dec. 15 may qualify if they can trace their lineage to a Canadian ancestor, such as a grandparent or even a more distant relative. Those born after that date must show that their Canadian parent lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days.
Under the new framework, eligible descendants are already considered citizens but must apply for official documentation to confirm their status. Hayer emphasized that applicants are not seeking to become citizens, but rather to formalize a right they already possess. He estimates that millions of Americans could qualify under these expanded rules.
Motivations for pursuing dual citizenship vary widely. Some applicants point to political developments, including immigration policies under President Donald Trump, as influencing their decision. Others cite family ties, career prospects, or personal experiences abroad.
Michelle Cunha of Bedford, Massachusetts, said her decision followed years of political activism and a sense that she had reached a turning point. Troy Hicks of Pahrump, Nevada, said his interest was sparked after encountering negative reactions to the United States during a trip overseas, leading him to consider the benefits of traveling with a Canadian passport.
For Maureen Sullivan of Naples, Florida, the issue became personal after a relative’s encounter with federal immigration officers in Minnesota. She said obtaining Canadian citizenship offers her family a sense of security and a contingency plan should conditions in the United States worsen.
The cost of applying varies. The government fee for proof of citizenship is 75 Canadian dollars, roughly $55, but expenses can rise significantly for those who need professional assistance gathering documentation such as birth or marriage records. Cunha estimated her total costs, including legal help, at around $6,500. Others, like Mary Mangan of Somerville, Massachusetts, have completed the process independently using online resources.
Processing times remain lengthy. Canada’s immigration agency reports that it can take about 10 months to receive a citizenship certificate, with more than 56,000 applications currently pending. In the weeks following the law’s implementation, the agency confirmed nearly 1,500 citizenship claims by descent. In the previous year, about 24,500 Americans obtained dual U.S.-Canada citizenship.
In Canada, reactions to the surge have been mixed. Fen Hampson, a professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, said the country is generally open to newcomers. However, he noted some concern that an influx of applicants with limited ties to Canada could slow processing for refugees and asylum-seekers in urgent need. He added that some Canadians are wary of people obtaining citizenship primarily for convenience, particularly if they have little connection to the country.
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