Recent surveys reveal widespread dissatisfaction among American adults. A late July Associated Press NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll of 1,165 Americans found 72 percent believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. This sentiment has been consistent, with over 60 percent expressing similar views in every AP NORC reading since August 2021. The same poll indicated that 48 percent have little confidence in the executive branch and 53 percent feel the same about Congress, while only one third approve of the president's job performance. Furthermore, a Gallup 2025 World Poll showed that about one in five Americans would like to permanently relocate abroad, a figure that rises to 40 percent among women aged 15 to 44. For many American families, a second option, such as Canadian citizenship, offers a valuable alternative, especially for the millions who have a single Canadian ancestor in their family tree.
This growing interest in Canadian citizenship by descent is evident in the increasing number of applications. Those who apply today for the document proving their status face a wait of almost three years, a processing time more than six times longer than it was just one year ago.
A significant change occurred on December 15, 2025, when Bill C-3 became law. This legislation eliminated the first generation limit, a rule that previously restricted citizenship by descent to only one generation born outside Canada. As a result, anyone born before that date who can demonstrate an unbroken lineage to even one Canadian ancestor is likely already a Canadian citizen. The number of generations between the applicant and the Canadian ancestor does not affect eligibility. To confirm this status, individuals must apply for a citizenship certificate.
Canadian citizenship is also preserved for future generations, meaning your children and their children can often claim the same status. Children born before December 15, 2025, inherit through the same direct line. However, children born abroad after that date face an additional requirement: a Canadian parent who was also born abroad must prove 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child's birth. The application process itself does not involve a language test, a citizenship exam, an oath, or any requirement to live in Canada. Both Canada and the United States permit dual citizenship, allowing individuals to retain their American passport.
Holding Canadian citizenship offers numerous practical advantages. A Canadian citizen can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada without needing a permit. This status has no expiration date and remains valid even while living in the United States. Once the citizenship certificate is obtained, individuals can apply for a Canadian passport. For example, a Canadian citizen enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts program at McGill University in Montreal would pay approximately 13,000 Canadian dollars for a full year, compared to nearly 49,000 Canadian dollars for an international student in the same program. Over a four year degree, this difference can exceed 140,000 Canadian dollars. Canada is also expediting proof of citizenship applications for those planning to study in the country. Additionally, young Canadian citizens can apply for working holiday permits in more than 30 countries and territories, with age limits and conditions varying by country, such as Portugal's agreement covering Canadians aged 18 to 35. Importantly, citizenship alone does not create Canadian tax filing obligations while residing in the United States, as Canada taxes individuals based on their place of residence, allowing continued filing with the IRS as usual.
Tracing Canadian ancestry can reveal unexpected connections, as migration from Canada to the United States has a long history. A single ancestor can unlock an entire side of a family tree, which led to millions of Americans unknowingly becoming Canadian citizens in December 2025. Many eligible families trace their Canadian roots to specific regions. Between 1840 and 1930, nearly 900,000 French speaking Canadians moved from Quebec to New England mill towns. Consequently, about one in four New Englanders may qualify, including an estimated 300,000 residents of Connecticut. Vermont and New Hampshire are among the top states by share of eligible residents, with families in Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also showing high rates of Canadian ancestry. Surnames can also provide strong clues: an American named Tremblay is about 114 times more likely to have Canadian roots than the average surname suggests, and for Ouellet, that figure is 368 times. Names like Roy and Desjardins, along with anglicized versions such as White, King, and Greenwood, also frequently indicate Canadian heritage. Family stories, such as memories of summers spent "up north," a cousin in Windsor Ontario, or a great grandparent from Quebec, can also point to the right records. Canada's citizenship department makes its decisions based on documented evidence.
While the current wait for a citizenship certificate is lengthy, the status it confirms does not expire. It establishes a lifelong connection that your children can also carry forward. As of September 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada estimates a 33 month processing time for new certificate applications, with over 136,000 applications currently in the queue. These extended wait times are largely attributed to the surge in American applications following December 2025. Before Bill C-3 took effect in May 2025, the estimated processing time was only five months.