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Disaffected

(6,525 posts) Fri Apr 3, 2026, 08:46 PM Apr 3

You may be a defacto Canadian citizen and not know it. [View all]

I don't recall if this has been mentioned here before, but you folks in the US who have expressed an interest in emigrating may find this new Canadian citizenship law interesting:

"If you were born before Dec 15, 2025
and, if you can trace a direct line to a Canadian citizen ancestor (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc.),
you may already be a Canadian citizen automatically."

All you have to do is collect the docs showing your ancestry and apply to have citizenship granted. The new part is that there is no limit on how far back your ancestry goes to be eligible. It is estimated there are about 10 million Americans, particularly those in or from the New England area and/or with French Canadian ancestry who are eligible.

Unfortunately this applies to MAGAts as well but hopefully they would not be interested...

32 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

You may be a defacto Canadian citizen and not know it. [View all] Disaffected Apr 3 OP

My kids are going to pursue this Fiendish Thingy Apr 3 #1

I'll have to look into this... 2naSalit Apr 3 #2

Doesn't appear to be much to lose here. Disaffected Apr 3 #5

Indeed... 2naSalit Apr 3 #6

Damn. buzzycrumbhunger Apr 3 #3

You got me all excited, but it turns out it only goes down three generations. To your great grandparents. Scrivener7 Apr 3 #4

nope, those 3 generations listed are under "examples" eShirl Apr 3 #10

It's a bit hard to follow but, Disaffected Apr 4 #24

I just discovered I've been a lost Canadian citizen all my life - I just didn't know it! Ms. Toad Apr 3 #7

See the link I provided above. My reaction was the same as yours, but it turns out it only goes back 3 generations. Scrivener7 Apr 3 #8

Pretty sure it doesn't matter how many generations back. Ms. Toad Apr 3 #9

On second look, I think you're right. The wording is confusing, as they go into such detail about how Scrivener7 Apr 3 #11

Here's the other thing - Ms. Toad Apr 3 #12

I'm looking at the actual form now - Ms. Toad Apr 3 #15

I'm excited Mordred Apr 3 #13

My mother in law was Canadian rambler_american Apr 3 #14

My father is 94, and he seemed kind of excited about the possibility of Canadian citizenship. Ms. Toad Apr 4 #22

Switzerland? AverageOldGuy Apr 3 #16

I have a great grandmother and a great-great grandmother born in Toronto. LisaM Apr 3 #17

Oooooh! French Canadian ancestry right here! . . . . (she waves her hand happily) liberalla Apr 3 #18

YW Disaffected Apr 4 #32

My ancestors taught in the revolutionary war James48 Apr 3 #19

It's complicated so who knows? Disaffected Apr 4 #26

I have neighbors who are all over this Easterncedar Apr 4 #20

Here's a reddit FAQ for people looking to establish their citizenship. Ms. Toad Apr 4 #21

Hey, let us know how it turns out! nt Disaffected Apr 4 #28

Will do. Ms. Toad Apr 4 #30

Unfortunately I think I'm out of luck FHRRK1 Apr 4 #23

So conceivably my mom's dad's line would qualify me Cadfael Apr 4 #25

Certainly sounds like it's worth a try if you can provide the records. Disaffected Apr 4 #27

Thanks for the info! I know I have Luciferous Apr 4 #29

My great-great grandfather emigrated from New Brunswick, Canada, to intheflow Apr 4 #31