Chicago – March 31, 2026
A change in Canada’s citizenship law is prompting a surge of interest from Americans who are eligible for citizenship by descent and want a backup plan “just in case.” Under Bill C-3, Canada has lifted its first-generation limit, allowing many people born outside Canada before Dec. 15, 2025, to qualify if they can prove Canadian ancestry.
The new rule has been especially significant for Americans with Canadian parents, grandparents or earlier family ties, and officials say the policy is already driving a sharp increase in proof-of-citizenship applications. CBC reported that immigration consultants are seeing more people act now because of political uncertainty in the U.S.
Canada says the change is meant to make citizenship law fairer and more reflective of modern families. For many applicants, though, the appeal is practical: secure an option they may never need, but do not want to lose
