Full Breakdown
Canada’s New Citizenship-by-Descent Law Spurs Surge of American Applicants
4/25/2026, 1:34:37 AM
Legislative Change and Core Provisions
Bill C-3, which took effect on December 15, 2025, expands Canadian citizenship by descent. Anyone born before that date who can prove a direct Canadian ancestor—grandparent, great-grandparent or more remote—may claim citizenship. Applicants born on or after Dec. 15 must also show that a Canadian parent resided in Canada for at least 1,095 days.
Historical Context
Prior to the amendment, citizenship by descent was limited to one generation: a child could inherit citizenship only from a Canadian parent. Canada has periodically revised its citizenship statutes to address historic inequities, and Bill C-3 represents the latest liberalization.
Key Stakeholders and Their Roles
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – administers applications and publishes processing data.
- Amandeep Hayer, immigration attorney and parliamentary advocate of Bill C-3.
- Nicholas Berning, attorney at Boundary Bay Law (Bellingham, WA), who reports a flood of client inquiries.
- Zack Loud, applicant from Farmington, MN, whose family discovered they were already considered citizens.
- Michelle Cunha, activist from Bedford, MA, and Maureen Sullivan, applicant from Naples, FL, who cite U.S. policy as a motivator.
Data, Fees, and Processing Timelines
- Application fee: 75 CAD (? US $55).
- Processing time for a citizenship certificate: ? 10 months.
- Pending applications: > 56,000 (IRCC).
- Confirmed citizenships (Dec. 15 2025 – Jan. 31 2026): 1,480 individuals, not all Americans.
- Dual U.S.–Canada citizenships granted in 2024: 24,500.
- Estimates of eligible Americans range from “millions” (Hayer) to “millions of Americans may now qualify” (multiple outlets).
Motivations Driving the Surge
Applicants cite political uncertainty under former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, family heritage, employment prospects, and a desire for a “security blanket” in case U.S. conditions deteriorate.
Official Government Statements
IRCC notes that “processing times for a certificate of citizenship are around 10 months, with more than 56,000 people awaiting a decision.” A spokesperson added that “from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31, we confirmed citizenship by descent for 1,480 people.” Immigration Minister Sean Hampson warned that “a surge of interest from Americans could delay efforts by refugees and asylum-seekers fleeing vulnerable situations.”
Criticism and Concerns
Legal observers caution that the influx may strain IRCC resources and extend wait times for humanitarian cases. Attorneys also point to the added cost of genealogical research and legal representation, which can exceed US $6,000 for some applicants.
On-the-Ground Experiences
Zack Loud said the law “pushed Canada way up on our list” of job destinations. Michelle Cunha expressed frustration with U.S. politics, stating, “We’re not there and we’re not going to get there anytime soon.” Maureen Sullivan described the law as “a little gift that fell in my lap,” while Mary Mangan believes “90 % of people can probably do this on their own.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “You are Canadian, and you're considered to be one your whole life,” — Amandeep Hayer, immigration attorney
- “My wife and I were already talking about potentially looking at jobs outside the country, but citizenship pushed Canada way up on our list,” — Zack Loud, Farmington, MN
- “But clearly we're not there and we're not going to get there anytime soon.” — Michelle Cunha, Bedford, MA
- “When I first heard about the bill, I couldn't believe it. It was like this little gift that fell in my lap,” — Maureen Sullivan, Naples, FL
- “There are some situations where a lawyer might be the right thing, but for many people, I would guess 90% of people can probably do this on their own,” — Mary Mangan, Somerville, MA
Conflicting Estimates and Information Gaps
Sources differ on the size of the eligible pool: Hayer estimates “millions,” while IRCC provides no precise figure. The exact number of pending American applications remains undisclosed, creating uncertainty about future processing loads.
Outlook and Next Steps
IRCC will continue processing the current backlog while monitoring the impact on refugee adjudications. Advocacy groups suggest legislative review to balance expanded descent rights with humanitarian priorities. Applicants are advised to gather genealogical documentation promptly, as processing timelines remain lengthy.
