It's suddenly much easier for Americans to get Canadian citizenship

Key Points:

• A new Canadian law effective Dec. 15 allows millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry to more easily claim Canadian citizenship by descent, extending eligibility beyond just parents to grandparents and more distant ancestors.
• Immigration lawyers in the U.S. and Canada report a surge in clients seeking dual citizenship, driven by political concerns, family heritage, and job opportunities, with some practices overwhelmed by the volume of applications.
• The application fee for proof of citizenship is relatively low at 75 Canadian dollars, but total costs can rise significantly if applicants hire attorneys or genealogists; processing times average around 10 months.
• Many Americans pursuing dual citizenship cite dissatisfaction with U.S. politics and immigration policies under the Trump administration as motivating factors for seeking a Canadian passport as a backup plan.
• Some Canadians express concern about "Canadians of convenience" gaining citizenship with minimal ties to Canada and worry that the influx of applications from Americans could slow processing for refugees and asylum seekers.