Canada's decision to broaden who may claim citizenship by descent has coincided with a pronounced rise in approvals, according to data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The revised rules, which extend eligibility beyond the first generation born abroad, have generated a monthly increase in approved proofs of citizenship that exceeded 1,000 so far this year.
The change in the law took effect in December 2025, when just 275 additional approvals were recorded for that month. By contrast, IRCC-reported totals for the new category reached 1,140 in January, 1,255 in February and 1,405 in March. The data further indicates that roughly 48% of the additional approvals through February originated from applicants in the United States.
Immigration lawyers point to the historically close ties between Canada and the United States as one reason for the high share of U.S.-based applicants. They also note that many Americans view Canada as an appealing option for living or studying, particularly amid the recent political uncertainty in the United States.
"The biggest thing is it gives our family options," said one applicant, a 41-year-old from Seattle who applied earlier in the year and expects a response within nine months to a year. He described a family history that includes a great-grandfather who homesteaded in Saskatchewan before World War One and a grandfather born in Canada. "If my kid wants to study or live in Canada, she can just go - there’s no visa, no deadlines," he said.
Legal practitioners caution that while the new eligibility opens the door for more descendants of Canadian-born ancestors to claim citizenship, many of those approved are likely to remain abroad. "Most new citizens approved under the law will likely remain abroad but many want to keep their options open," said one U.S.-based immigration lawyer. He added that current interest appears tied to developments in U.S. politics. "They want to stay in the U.S., but if things become untenable, they want a way out."
The recent legislative amendment responds to a 2023 court ruling that found limiting citizenship to the first generation born abroad to be unconstitutional. Under the revised rules, people who have lived outside Canada for multiple generations can now qualify for citizenship if they can establish the necessary descent.
At the same time, the government has signaled intentions in recent years to reduce overall immigration targets, a contrast to this specific expansion of descent-based citizenship. Lawyers also emphasise a key legal limitation: individuals who acquire citizenship under the new provisions but who have never lived in Canada cannot indefinitely transmit that citizenship to children born abroad.
The data and commentary illustrate both the immediate administrative effects of the law change and the motivations driving a significant share of applicants. They also reflect the interplay between legal rulings, national policy adjustments and cross-border public sentiment.
Key points
- The new citizenship-by-descent rules broaden eligibility beyond first-generation descendants and have coincided with monthly increases in approvals of more than 1,000 so far this year.
- Approximately 48% of additional approvals through February came from applicants in the United States, reflecting close bilateral ties and interest in Canada as a place to live or study.
- Most approved applicants are expected to remain outside Canada, but many are seeking the flexibility to relocate if circumstances change.
Sectors impacted
- Immigration and legal services - increased demand for citizenship applications and counsel.
- Education - prospective students highlighted as a motive for securing citizenship options.
Risks and uncertainties
- Political uncertainty in the United States is cited as a driver of interest in Canadian citizenship, which could change if U.S. political dynamics shift.
- Despite approvals, most new citizens are likely to remain abroad, limiting immediate migration effects.
- Citizenship obtained by descendants who have never lived in Canada cannot be passed on indefinitely to children born outside Canada, creating a long-term limitation for families seeking perpetual transmission of status.
Data from IRCC underlines the administrative scale of the change and the prominent role played by U.S.-based applicants. The law itself was adopted in response to a 2023 court decision, and it alters how descent is legally recognized for those who can prove lineage. How many approved applicants will translate their new citizenship into relocation or study plans in Canada remains uncertain, as does the broader policy balance between expanding descent-based citizenship and the government’s recent efforts to lower immigration targets.