‘Canadians of convenience’: Millions of Americans are newly eligible for citizenship, and some are applying ‘just in case’ — here are the perks

"Lost Canadians" refers to people who "lost or never obtained citizenship because of certain outdated rules in earlier citizenship laws," according to the Canadian government. (2)

While many of those cases were resolved through earlier legislative changes, there was still a group that remained "lost," including descendants of other Lost Canadians.

And, in the U.S., there could be millions of them, Amandeep Hayer — an immigration attorney based in Vancouver, British Columbia — told The Associated Press. (1)

Opening the door to dual citizenship

Previously, Canadian citizenship could only be passed down from a parent to a child. But Bill C-3 extends access to citizenship to anyone who can prove they have a direct Canadian ancestor, including a grandparent or great-grandparent — or beyond (2).

The bill passed into law on December 15, 2025, which means you can now apply for a proof-of-citizenship certificate, so long as you can provide proof of lineage. The application fee is $75 CAD, equivalent to about $55 USD (3).

Tens of thousands of Americans are already exploring this process, driven by anything from politics to job opportunities.

"When I first heard about the bill, I couldn't believe it," Maureen Sullivan of Naples, Florida, told The Associated Press. "It was like this little gift that fell in my lap." (1)

After her nephew in Minnesota encountered federal officers near his high school during the immigration crackdown, Sullivan sees Canadian citizenship as an option if things "really go south" in the U.S.

For Nick Wallick, it's about job opportunities. The film school graduate in Seattle told KING 5 News that he suspects he has French-Canadian heritage — and that dual citizenship means he could easily access Vancouver's booming film industry without the need for a work visa (4).

Terry Preshaw, an immigration lawyer in Everett, Washington, told KING 5 News that her phone has been ringing "off the hook" since the new law came into effect. She went from having four clients seeking Canadian citizenship last year to more than 50 so far this year.

But that doesn't mean Americans with direct Canadian descendents have immediate plans to move. Rather, Preshaw said it's like insurance — it's there "just in case something catastrophic happens."

While Canadians are generally a "welcoming people," Fen Hampson, Professor of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa, told The Associated Press that they may look twice at those with thin ties who are "becoming Canadians of convenience." (1)

The value of Canadian citizenship

As a dual American-Canadian citizen, you have the right to live, work and study in Canada without the need for a work permit or visa. As an added bonus, citizenship by descent doesn't come with a residency requirement (meaning you don't have to live in Canada first).

It also means you can hold property in both countries and are exempt from foreign buyer bans in Canada.

You could also be eligible for domestic tuition rates at Canadian universities. For the 2025/2026 academic year, tuition fees averaged $7,734 CAD per year for Canadian undergraduate students, compared to $41,746 CAD per year for international undergraduate students, according to Statistics Canada. (5)

But you don't automatically receive access to Canada's publicly funded healthcare system, so you can't just cross the border to get medical services for free. Since health coverage falls under the jurisdiction of the provinces and territories, you'll first need to meet the residency requirements of the province or territory in which you reside.

For example, if you move to Toronto, you'll receive coverage through the province's Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). To be eligible, your primary residence must be in Ontario, and you'll need to be physically present in the province for at least 153 days in a 12-month period. (6)