According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, in 2025, more US citizens moved out of the country than people moved into it. This is the first time this has happened since the Great Depression. This probably goes without saying, but the big reasons given to the WSJ included affordability, gun violence, and our political environment. Over the last 18 months, many Americans have also taken advantage of laws that allow them to apply for dual citizenship in countries in which a grandparent was born.
Canada used to have very strict laws that only allowed those who were first generation non-citizens to apply for citizenship. However, a superior court determined that this limit was unconstitutional in 2023. As a result, a new law was recently passed that amended who was eligible for citizenship. Now, anyone who is of Canadian descent can apply for citizenship as long as they can prove it. Under this new rule, millions of Americans are now eligible for dual citizenship with Canada.
Lynn Rutman, a Cape Cod, Mass., resident with family ties to Quebec and Nova Scotia dating back centuries, said she’s worried about the political situation in her country, citing recent events surrounding controversial immigration enforcement policies and long-standing ideological divides.
“It’s not just me, many of us are concerned,” she said.
She’s now one of thousands who have begun the process of applying for proof of Canadian citizenship following recent changes to Canada’s citizenship rules.
Prior to Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025), citizenship by descent for those born abroad was limited to the first generation. But now, Canadian citizenship is being retroactively granted to people born before the new law came into effect on Dec. 15, 2025, who would have been citizens if not for the first-generation limit. Different criteria, however, apply to those born on or after that date.
“We feel like we want that Plan B so that we know we have a place to go in the event that things get even worse here,” Rutman said, “which you know, you see it’s getting worse by the day.”
The change in law came following a 2023 Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision that found the first-generation limit was unconstitutional, making the certificate “the hottest ticket in 2026,” according to Cassandra Fultz, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant.
Fultz said because the legislative changes coincide with a time of increased global volatility, many Americans are seeking a second passport of any kind.
“There’s no limit on how many generations you can go back, as long as you can prove it,” Fultz said.
In Quebec, official documents dating back to 1621 and up to 100 years ago are kept by the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), with more recent records available through the Directeur de l’état civil.
Sarah Hanahem, an archivist with the BAnQ office in Montreal, said while there’s always been an interest from Americans looking into their ancestry, requests for certified copies have exploded.
“In January 2025, we had 32 requests for certified copies of vital records and this year in January 2026, we’ve had over 1,000,” she said, adding most of those requests were made by Americans.
In statements to CBC, other archives across the country, including New Brunswick, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Ontario, have also seen a sizable increase in requests from the same time last year.
Because of the sudden surge in demand, Hanahem warned that international applicants should expect delays. The priority, she said, is to fulfil requests by Quebec residents.“BAnQ is a government entity and we are paid with Quebec tax dollars.”
This new rule is crazy! I’m not surprised that so many Americans with Canadian heritage are inquiring about getting dual citizenship as a result. Assimilating into another country is a huge decision, but moving to Canada carries less risk and change than going overseas. It would not surprise me if a decade from now, we learn that a significant chunk of Canadian Americans took their talents, societal contributions, and taxpayer dollars north in order to seek a better life than what they believed the US had to offer them.
I actually know a few people who have had success getting dual citizenship in other countries thanks to the generational thing. My friend’s wife did it for Ireland and my mom’s cousin got Italian citizenship because my maternal great-grandparents were born in Italy. I’m of Italian and Greek descent, but under their second-generation rule, I am only eligible for Italian citizenship under one of my grandparents. Pursuing it crossed my mind even before the 2024 election, but I don’t have access to some of the paperwork that I would need to do so.
Photo note by CB: These are screenshots from the phenomenal Canadian comedy series, Corner Gas, which aired from 2004 to 2009. You can watch it on Prime and Roku Howdy.
Photos credit: Hannah Pad, and Nitin Chauhan on Pexels, Erik Mclean on Unsplash, Corner Gas on Instagram
Sadly there is no one in my family that could help me get citizenship in Canada or anywhere else. Whomp whomp.
I don’t have any either or I would do it in a heartbeat. I grew up in MN and WI so have spent a lot of time in CA. A women in one of my FB groups posted this information a few months ago and several of the other members have applied and gotten their dual citizenship. If you are eligible I believe your children and spouse is also eligible..
She said the process is pretty easy although with more attention on it they may be busier than normal so it may not be as quick as it was when she sent in her documentation.
Same. It’s unknown where my family comes from, although we do think there’s some Irish on my mom’s side, but we can’t prove it. I got nothing.
I’m out too. I am not entirely sure I could find work in Canada anyway (I work in an area of law that is very specific to the US) but I’d be willing to try if possible. Alas, not for me.
About ten years ago, I learned from my sister that at least one set of paternal great grandparents were from Quebec. The other great grandparents may have been from Ontario. You can bet I’m checking this out with her to see if she still has the records. She will be thrilled as well if we can get Canadian passports.
@brassyrebel I know there’s only so much that can fit in a comment but honestly it doesn’t feel great as a Canadian seeing comments referring to acquiring a “Canadian passport” like it’s a ticket or some kind of escape option. We welcome all newcomers in Canada who want to contribute positively to our shared project.
I would also encourage all Americans considering their options to please approach this with sensitivity and remember that Canadian citizenship is joining a country with a new identity it’s not just what a Canadian passport can do for you.
Agree.
Canada is a pretty great country….vut its ours, and that’s important. Its not something to be taken lightly.
Hi fellow @foodie canuk, thanks for saying that. Honestly this whole post has me in my feelings. I think it’s really important for Americans considering pursuing Canadian citizenship to approach it with sensitivity. Relations with the US have always been nuanced and while very friendly, they definintely have felt one-sided for many Canadians (instead of corner gas this post could have referenced this hour has 22 minutes Talking to Americans – from 25 years ago, still true…).
The current insulting and demeaning rhetoric from #47 referring to the 51st state, referring to our PM as a governor, repeatedly saying that we wouldn’t exist as a country if it weren’t for the US… Major MAGA $$$ flowing into Alberta to fund disinformation and undermine our unity. Your tech broligarchs destroying lives for profit (almost none of which stays in Canada as taxation $, I could go on…
All that to say it’s a sensitive and vulnerable time for our country and I don’t love the energy of non-citizens today looking at joining us as creating optionality in their lives rather than something that is approached with true appreciation and commitment, in a relational manner. It feels very extractive for Americans (no matter how wonderful you are, and I know folks in these comments are very wonderful 💕) to look at Canadian citizenship and acquiring a Canadian passport in this way.
Canada is an amazing country, one with much to offer and to atone for. Canada should not be your escape plan. I’m sorry Agent Orange is in the WH, sorry he’s implemented so many archaic laws and started wars. Explain why, instead of staying and fighting for your country, you’d choose to leave? Is the plan to return when “things are better.” I’m not trying to be provocative, I’d like to understand why one would choose to go instead of rebuilding your country.
https://www.banq.qc.ca/banq-glance
The link for Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ).
Good luck!
My sons can apply, my mother-in-law was born in Canada. I sent this article to both of them.
Also love the show Corner Gas. It’s such a sweet feel good show.
I’ve already talked to my adult children about looking for jobs overseas or Canada.. one is actively interviewing but I want them safe and this country is not safe anymore and won’t be for a very long time if ever again. Their grandmother has relatives in Alberta so I am going to have them look into this.
I passed this news on to a friend who is descended from French Canadians on her father’s side of the family.
A friend of mine’s and her family are moving to Canada under this new law. They were planning on moving anyway since one of her children is attending college on Vancouver Island. But her Grandmother was Canadian and when she found out about this new rule she applied for citizenship. They have put their house on the market and have rented a home and everything. Very excited for her and just a tiny bit jealous!
Vancouver Island is a truly beautiful place to live. I live in Victoria and you are never more than a 15 drive from the beach, gorgeous parks and incredible lakes. It’s a nature lover’s paradise of old growth rain forest, ski hills and fishing areas. I would never live anywhere else. Your friend and their families will love it. You should come visit them.
Absolutely delighted to welcome our friends from the South!
Yes! From a fifth-generation Canadian: welcome!
Look in to this if you think you might have a remote chance; you won’t regret joining us here.
💋 you’re a sweetheart 👋🏾 hello from a short distance across the border!
My spouse is Canadian, I am American. We lived in Vancouver when we were first married.
We’ve lived in the States for much longer and our kids were born here. This new citizenship rule applies to them and it made the process of obtaining their official Canadian citizenship complete. We started the process back at the beginning of 2025 and I received an email yesterday that their official documents will arrive soon.
😁
I’m so happy for them and happy for the possibilities for their futures that this will provide.
Now we can start looking into citizenship for myself. I do have records of my student and work visas from my time living in Vancouver.
I have Mexican citizenship because my mother was born there, but I don’t have official documentation. My mother is deceased so I had to provide a copy of her death certificate in addition to her birth certificate to proceed with the process. I sent the documents in January so I am still waiting for the next step.
I never thought about obtaining Mexican citizenship before, but since the ICE raids I have been thinking about all of my options.
My paternal ancestry is African, Dominican, Filipino and white. I don’t have any documentation about my dad, the ancestry information I obtained mainly through genetic testing, but he was an American-born citizen. So, my appearance is certainly something that would turn an ICE agent’s head.
This has been a scary time for my family and knowing that my kids can escape brings me so much relief.
Not for nothing but the last time the US instated the draft, Canada got some pretty amazing people including Robert Munch and Jane Jacobs (for a while, she was here with her sons).
Also, Tim Hortons is Brazilian. Just saying.
If only the UK would do the same!
This sucks. As a descendent of slaves, I just gotta find a way to establish residency to another country.
A very important numbers of freed American slaves moved to Canada and many were established in Nova Scotia. I might be worth looking there as you might have family in Canada.
I believe Ghana was offering citizenship to descendants of slaves, you may want to check that out.
I love that you picked photos from Corner Gas. My husband is a Saskatchewan boy and we’re very fond of the show at my house.
It would be an excellent thing if other countries were similarly expansive with their citizenship criteria.
@Rosie, hire a professional genealogist to help you find what you need.
Anyone who has a MALE Luxembourgish ancestor, look into it. If you can prove you have a Lux ancestor (not Belgian, not Dutch) from way way way back? You may be able to apply for citizenship by descent.
https://www.lacs.lu/dual-citizenship/dual-citizenship-process/
You may need to go through the process of getting it for generations of your family, but it doesn’t matter. Your claim stretches back generations.
To add, if you have ancestors who fled Nazi persecution in Europe? You may be able to qualify for citizenship by descent in countries like Germany, Austria, or Poland (reparations laws). ex. post-Brexit some UK citizens were able to claim German citizenship by descent due to Jewish ancestry.
A downside of being eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution is that I’m stuck with this place forever.
(Not a flex – I’m also sadly eligible for the Daughters of the Confederacy. I have absolutely no interest in either.)
I too am eligible for DAR. I’m glad someone traced my ancestry on that side because I find it interesting, but it is limiting in this kind of a situation. I was briefly somewhat interested in the organization because I really enjoy history, but spending a few minutes on their website was enough for me to realize it’s really a bunch of white women being white women. (I say this as a white woman.)
My father was born in Canada, so it was easy to get my proof of Canadian Citizenship’ Certificate back in October. The IRCC processed my application in under a month. Currently working on getting my Canadian passport.
Not Corner Gas hahaha! Perfect choice!
The only place I can trace my ancestry to is India and that’s because I was born there. But I don’t know that I could ever just pick up my stuff and move back even if my Indian citizenship could be restored. I have lived all my life in the US and as a single and childless woman, I don’t know that there is a place for me in Indian society which puts such a high premium on marriage and kids. I have plenty of family but there are all strangers to me.
Even before the ascent of the Orange Nazi, I was eyeing Canada because I like their assisted suicide policies. Much more humane than the US.
I’m not a fan of cold weather or long winters, but as time goes by, I’m more and more willing to overlook that.
Alas, I have no Canadian heritage at all … would anyone like to fix me up with their 50 something single Canadian brother/cousin/friend?
I live in Victoria on Vancouver Island. It is the most temperate climate in Canada. We rarely get snow and few days of freezing weather. It’s warm in summer but never extreme heat. Out winters are much milder than most places in the US.
MAID is a gift for those with painful, terminal diseases and cancers. My best friend’s husband was dying from pancreatic cancer and had extreme pain. He applied for MAID and was approved but he dies several days before it was scheduled. The stories that anyone can receive MAID for any reason are crazy. It must be medically approved and only certain conditions are qualified.
I have a BIL who’s single but he’s older than your age range and he’s a judgemental creep so I wouldn’t set him up with anyone. Good luck and come visit.
All anyone can do is look up the rules on the Canadian immigration website. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html The rules change fairly often as Canada has tightened its intake over the Trudeau years. People who work in healthcare are highly sought after and there are some provincial programs as well to try to streamline bringing them up, re-credentialing, etc. Age is a serious limiting factor for migrating to any country with a public health system. Also, the Canadian weather is not exactly a big retirement draw so there’s nothing like a Golden Visa for older people with money. As for the medically assisted death being a constitutionally protected right, there is intense scrutiny on whether this option is being unfairly “recommended” more for people with disabilities who could live better lives if the provinces provided better living conditions and financial support. Some ethical issues and guidelines still have to be worked through.
As mentioned above, MAID is still a really valuable and humane option and probably exercised properly more often than not, but people with disabilities are understandably offended if their doctors “offer” this option unnecessarily. It’s a hot button topic and at the same time it’s Canada, we’ll work our way through it.
Who were these people, I was speaking of the west coast of Canada regarding the weather. It is much milder than many areas in the US. Little snow and not much freezing. Also mild not extreme heat is summer.
As to MAID, there is a lot of disinformation regarding who is eligible. Currently, people with disabilities are not eligible and are not being offered MAID. It is a decision between the patient and at least two doctors. No one is being randomly “offered” MAID. People do confuse being asked if they want a “do not resuscitate” order for certain procedures with being offered MAID. They may change the law in the future but currently you must have a terminal condition or debilitating pain to be considered.
This is great and I hope we can attract more talent from the US. There was a recent campaign to hire American doctors and nurses looking to immigrate as those professions are in high demand here.
I hope that Americans who do decide to come here understand that we are a culturally different country than the USA. We look very similar on the surface but most Canadians view the world quite differently than Americans (with the exception of a few ditchbilly Albertans…)
I am an adopted Canadian and I’ve lived there for the past 15 years with my dual citizen European husband. Due to recent career advancement he was asked to relocate in Massachusetts so here we go… May not be the best moment and I’ve just lived in Iowa 20 years ago while pursuing my graduate diploma so I have no idea what the country has in store for us and our young family. Returning to Canada is always on the table even though we don’t have family there but we will see. Maybe we will stay in the US or maybe we go somewhere else.
Carpe vitam.
Finally my maternal grandmother is good for something (born in Ontario and was a horrid person in life)
I am American, but have been living in Canada for over 40 years. My parents never did anything about my citizenship when I was a child because it was never certain how long we would stay. In my 20s, I just never thought about it. In my 30s I was busy with kids and beyond that I always thought, well what’s the point now? But I am going through the process now. I’m sorry, I am just so angry and ashamed and I don’t know what else. It may be ridiculous, but I am also afraid of being separated my CDN husband and son at the border. Probably don’t have to worry about that in my lifetime, but I bet it could be a problem for others in the near future.
Like some of my fellow Canadians have already opined, this is making me a little queasy. America is torched and is burning the rest of the world along with it, due to the centuries long machinations of a significant (majority?) of its populace.
Will you come here and be either as divisive as you’ve been, or as complacent, if some of that crap begins to take hold here? Will you actually fight with us, Elbows Up, will you boycott with us to do our part in starving the beast? Or will you just take refuge in what we have built, brick by brick, as a kind, intelligent, inclusive and adaptable populace?
The very thing that your country has railed against, immigration for a better and safer life, is what you seem to be embracing when you are at risk. It feels icky.
On the other hand, since I am Canadian and all, if you are oozing awesomeness, voted for the rights and freedoms of all, are willing to shovel your neighbour’s sidewalk (add the extra u where it is warranted), and promise to thank the bus driver, then by all means, come on in. We’ve got a pie in the oven.