Canadian citizenship new eligibility rules explained: who qualifies and what has changed

New Canadian citizenship and new eligibility rules are prompting a surge in applications, particularly from Americans with family ties to Canada.

According to USA TODAY, recent changes to the Citizenship Act have expanded who can claim citizenship by descent.

The update removes long-standing generational limits that had prevented many people from qualifying.

Under the new rules, individuals may qualify if they were born before December 15, 2025, have at least one parent recognised as a Canadian citizen by descent, and can provide documents proving their family connection.

Audrey Macklin, a law professor at the University of Toronto, told USA TODAY that applicants must be “grandfathered” in, meaning their parent must already qualify as a Canadian citizen by descent.

However, the changes do not apply to those born after December 15, 2025 unless their Canadian parent lived in Canada for at least three years before their birth or adoption, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Applicants must provide official records such as birth, marriage and immigration documents. Even then, approval is not guaranteed.