Millions of Americans Now Eligible for Canadian Citizenship Under New Law

A quiet change to Canada's citizenship law is now allowing millions of people, including a substantial number of Americans with Canadian roots, to claim dual citizenship and obtain Canadian passports.

Bill C-3, which received Royal Assent earlier this year, eliminates the so-called second-generation cutoff that had prevented the grandchildren and subsequent descendants of Canadian-born individuals from inheriting citizenship. Under the previous rules, citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside Canada.

Who Is Affected

The law restores citizenship rights to what are commonly known as Lost Canadians: people who lost or never received Canadian citizenship due to historical technicalities. This includes individuals whose Canadian-born parent or grandparent emigrated decades ago, as well as children born to Canadian parents abroad who were previously ineligible.

Experts estimate that several million people in the United States alone may now be eligible, as cross-border family histories dating back to the mid-20th century become newly relevant.

How to Claim

Eligible individuals need to apply for a Citizenship Certificate, which confirms Canadian citizenship status before applying for a passport. The process requires proof of lineage through birth records, marriage certificates, and other official documents connecting the applicant to their Canadian ancestor.

The Timing

Interest in the program has surged amid broader Canadian-American tensions and political uncertainty in the United States. IRCC has reported a significant uptick in inquiries from Americans researching their eligibility.