Americans aren’t moving to Canada: They just want the passport

In the wake of Canada's new citizenship law, thousands of Americans with Canadian ancestry have been applying for proof of Canadian citizenship—with no intention of moving. They're filing the paperwork, then going back to their lives.

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"I'd rather stay in South Carolina where it's warm," said Scott,* a serial entrepreneur with young children.

Scott has no immediate plans to move. What he wants is the option. The peace of mind in knowing that if circumstances change, he and his family can be off to Canada at the drop of a hat.

Lynn, a retired law firm CEO from New Hampshire, echoed the theme of advance planning. She filed her application for proof of Canadian citizenship the week before departing on a trip to the Philippines, satisfied with the knowledge that Cohen Immigration Law would be gathering documents and proceeding with her application during her time abroad.

For Scott and Lynn, a Canadian citizenship application is an inexpensive hedge. In 10 months' time, they'll each hold the unconditional rights to enter Canada, live there, access social services, and work for any employer. Rights that never expire, tucked away in their back pockets.

Fair-weather Canadians

Ray, a retired tech executive based in Charlotte, North Carolina, wants to spend his summers hiking the Rockies in Canada’s picturesque national parks, Banff and Jasper.

The last thing he wants to worry about on the hiking trail is counting his days in Canada, making sure he doesn’t overstay the limit for visiting on a US passport.

Ray’s wife saw an article about Canada’s citizenship law change, and within days, Ray was gathering the documents needed to support his proof of citizenship application.

After a decade on the West coast, Greg is fed up with overpriced California real estate. A wine industry professional, he’d rather buy a summer home in Montreal and jet out to the California vineyards for winter tastings.

With an income in US dollars, Greg benefits from a favourable exchange rate, and as a citizen, he’ll skirt Canada’s foreign buyers’ ban on residential real estate.

Thinking ahead to his retirement, Greg gets additional peace of mind knowing he can access Canada’s publicly-funded healthcare if he makes an official move to Montreal.

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Won’t somebody please think of the children?

Lynn and Ray aren’t just thinking about themselves.

Lynn's son Mark has a British girlfriend. With no immediate plans to tie the knot, Mark and his girlfriend are chafing at the residency restrictions of their US-UK passport pairing as they await Mark’s access to the Commonwealth mobility agreements afforded to Canadian passport holders.

Ray's daughter Lucy teaches middle school math, and has her sights set on a teaching career in Toronto: six-figure salary, unionized, defined benefits pension.

As an American, Lucy would face a multi-year uphill battle, navigating the immigration quagmire from work permit to permanent residency in a cage match against 200,000+ skilled professionals, with no guarantee of success.

A Canadian passport is her golden ticket.

A ticket she can pass on to children of her own.

Getting started

You can start by confirming your eligibility using CanadaVisa's citizenship by descent calculator.

If you have a Canadian ancestor, whether that be a parent, grandparent, or some-number-of-greats grandparent, you’re already a Canadian citizen under the new law, which came into force on December 15, 2025.

As a US-Canadian dual citizen, you’re afforded the full rights and privileges of both citizenships by both governments, and you won’t be subject to any tax obligations on account of your Canadian citizenship.

With documents in hand proving your Canadian ancestry, you can apply to Canada’s citizenship and immigration department for proof of Canadian citizenship.

After receiving your citizenship certificate, you can apply for a Canadian passport.

If you're eligible, then so are your siblings, your cousins, and their children—everyone descended from the same Canadian ancestor. Your application could set the documentation chain in motion for your entire extended family.

There’s fodder for your next Christmas card!

An open door—just in case

These American-Canadian dual citizens aren’t rushing for the exit. They’re making sure the door is open.

Frank, a retired tech executive in Nashville, has no idea what the future holds.

But he’s “certain” he’d like a Canadian passport in hand before he finds out.

To check whether you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent, visit CanadaVisa's citizenship by descent calculator.

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*Each pseudonym in this article reflects the story of a real-life American-Canadian citizen by descent. Quotations are verbatim. Minor details have been changed to protect client confidentiality and to provide narrative continuity.