A change to Canada’s Citizenship Act under Bill C-3 now allows millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry to qualify for Canadian citizenship.
Anyone born before December 15, 2025 who can trace their lineage to a Canadian ancestor may apply for proof of Canadian citizenship, even if they or their parents and grandparents never lived in Canada or held Canadian passports.
This change removes the previous first-generation limit (FGL), which had restricted citizenship by descent to only one generation born abroad. That rule, introduced in 2009, was ruled unconstitutional by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in December 2023, prompting the government to pass Bill C-3.
Once applicants receive proof of citizenship, they can apply for a Canadian passport. The rule applies to descendants by birth or adoption.
Large numbers of Americans are expected to benefit, particularly in New England, where historic migration from Canada between 1870 and 1930 created millions of people with Canadian roots.
Processing times for proof of citizenship applications are currently about 11 months.
The law still maintains a modified limit going forward: for children born after December 15, 2025, citizenship by descent will generally require the Canadian parent to meet a “substantial connection to Canada” test, meaning they must have lived in Canada for at least three years before the child’s birth or adoption.
Canadian citizenship alone does not create tax obligations, since Canada taxes individuals based on residency rather than citizenship.
