Americans Seek Canadian Citizenship as Canada Expands Descent Rules

Canada has broadened its citizenship‑by‑descent law, allowing people with more distant Canadian ancestors to obtain citizenship. Approvals under the new category have risen by over 1,000 each month in 2024, reaching 1,140 in January, 1,255 in February and 1,405 in March, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Roughly 48% of the additional approvals through February were for applicants from the United States.

The change follows a 2023 court ruling that struck down the previous restriction to first‑generation descendants born abroad. Immigration lawyers note that many Americans view the expanded rule as a safety net amid U.S. political uncertainty, though most new citizens are expected to remain overseas and cannot pass citizenship indefinitely to children born abroad.