Could you get a Canadian passport? New law expands eligibility for millions of Americans

A major change to Canada’s citizenship rules could open the door for millions of Americans to claim Canadian passports. The reform removes a long-standing limit that restricted citizenship by descent to only one generation born outside the country. People with deeper Canadian ancestry may now also qualify.
Officials say the change could trigger a wave of new applications.

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What changed in Canada’s citizenship law?

Canada recently updated its Citizenship Act through the passage of Bill C-3, a reform that significantly expands eligibility for citizenship through ancestry.

Under the previous rule, individuals born outside Canada could only inherit citizenship from one generation born abroad. That meant descendants further down the family line were not eligible, even if their relatives had originally been Canadian citizens, as per a report by The US Sun.

The new legislation removes that restriction entirely, allowing descendants in later generations to apply for citizenship if they can prove their Canadian lineage.

The reform follows a 2023 ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which declared the earlier “first-generation limit” unconstitutional.

Legal experts say the decision forced lawmakers to revise the law and restore citizenship rights that had previously been restricted.

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Why could millions of Americans qualify?

The policy change is expected to have a significant impact in the United States. Researchers believe millions of Americans may have Canadian ancestry due to historic migration patterns over the centuries. Many families moved south from Canada to the United States, creating large populations of descendants with Canadian roots.

With the generational limit removed, those descendants may now be eligible to apply for citizenship, as per a report by The US Sun.

Officials say the change could result in tens of thousands of new applications as people begin exploring their family history and eligibility.

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What proof do applicants need?

While the new rules expand eligibility, applicants must still prove their connection to Canada. Authorities require documentation confirming the family link to a Canadian ancestor. This may include records such as birth certificates or baptism documents, as per a report by The US Sun.

Other historical evidence may also be used to confirm the relationship, including marriage certificates or similar records that demonstrate the family connection across generations.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, processing these requests can take time because authorities must carefully verify the historical documents provided by applicants. Current processing timelines for proof of Canadian citizenship are roughly 11 months.


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FAQs

Who can apply for Canadian citizenship under the new law?
People who can prove they descend from Canadian citizens may now qualify, even if several generations were born outside Canada.

How long does the application process take?
Officials say processing proof of citizenship currently takes about 11 months.