Last year, Canada opened an avenue for Americans to claim citizenship.
Every presidential election, some Americans claim they will move to Canada if a leader they don’t agree with is elected. Now, that idea has suddenly become more realistic for some disenchanted with the current president. More Americans are trying to obtain Canadian citizenship—some for political reasons and others as a backup plan.
Last year, Canada opened a new avenue for Americans to claim citizenship. Until recently, the country allowed citizenship to be passed only to the first generation of someone born outside Canada. As an American, if you had parents who were born in Canada, you could obtain citizenship, too—but your children could not. That rule changed last year, creating a new pathway for Americans with Canadian ancestors.
Related: You Might Be a Canadian Citizen Under Canada’s New Citizenship Law
The change dates back to 2023, when the Ontario Supreme Court ruled that the first-generation limit was unconstitutional. On Dec. 15, 2025, Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), took effect, abolishing the limit. Canada is now retroactively granting citizenship to anyone born before Dec. 15, 2025, if they have direct Canadian ancestry.
Second-generation Americans with Canadian parents have automatically become citizens. They can apply for proof of Canadian citizenship—though the process may take months—and obtain a Canadian passport. “This rule also applies to you if you were born to someone who became Canadian because of these rule changes,” the website clarifies. This means that if you have an ancestor who was born in Canada, you may also be able to claim citizenship. Women who married Americans once lost their Canadian citizenship because of outdated rules, and their descendants may now be eligible.
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What’s fortunate for Americans is that there is no limit to how far back you can go to prove a generation lived in Canada, as long as you can document it. Additionally, Canada maintains extensive historical records, which are now being inundated with requests.
Surge in Demand
CBC reported that the Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Québec, which holds official documents dating from 1621 to 1900, has seen an uptick in inquiries from Americans. CNN interviewed several people who have applied after facing stressful situations in the U.S., driven by political and economic concerns. Ellen Robillard, whose mother was born in Nova Scotia, told the outlet she is gathering documents for herself and her son, who has now become eligible. “If things start deteriorating here with our economy, I know that I can just get in the car and go. It’s an option anyway.”
Others may be looking to immigrate because of the political climate in the U.S. The country has introduced strict policies on immigration and has rolled back protections related to LGBTQ+ rights and women’s health care. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the current processing time is about 10 months, and nearly 51,000 people are waiting for a decision.
America’s Canadian Roots
Not everyone searching for documents is looking to leave because of current U.S. government policies. Some Americans descended from Canadians who emigrated during the Great Hemorrhage of Quebec feel a stronger connection to their French roots and are rediscovering their heritage.
About 1 million Canadians from Quebec moved to the U.S.—particularly New England—between 1865 and 1930. Their reasons were largely economic: there were more opportunities and higher wages across the border. French Canadians worked in textile mills and formed “Little Canadas” across the region. Their children were educated in French-language schools and spoke French at home. Today, some descendants are reconnecting with their ancestors’ homeland and learning more about their history.
The process of obtaining proof of citizenship can be complicated. Name changes, old records, appointments and phone calls make it time-consuming to locate birth records or marriage certificates. With the surge in demand for records and citizenship claims, wait times may stretch even longer.
Meanwhile, a Facebook group called Canadian Citizenship by Descent (Bill C-3) has emerged to help people navigate the bureaucracy. The group currently has about 12,400 members and includes posts asking for clarification on required documents and sharing archival resources.
Americans are not the only ones seeking alternatives. Around the world, people are researching connections to other countries and trying to secure second passports, particularly if they qualify for dual citizenship. Many say the decision is driven by a desire for greater mobility or a sense of security in an increasingly polarized world.
Related: Here’s How to Buy Citizenship in Another Country
Meanwhile, immigration to the U.S. has slowed in nearly every metro area and is expected to continue declining.