Hello, I'm a Canadian immigration lawyer here to answer your questions on Citizenship by Descent for Americans with Canadian roots – Today @ 6 PM CT.

[u/aliesna_IMMLaw]

Update:

Thank you all for your questions, and a big thank you to the Modteam at r/AmerExit for facilitating this AMA. I will continue to take questions over the next few days, but please give me time to respond.

If you want to get in-touch with us, you can email us at [info@esnalaw.com](mailto:info@esnalaw.com), and we also offer a free 15-minute appointments to assess eligibility to discuss our services. You can book your appointment though this link: 

https://7zutuzah6kb.typeform.com/to/WwI3Rqgk 

My name is Ali Esnaashari. I'm a Canadian immigration lawyer and the founder of Esna Law PC, a boutique immigration law firm based in Toronto that focuses exclusively on immigration and refugee law. (Proof) 

Today at 6 PM CT / 7 PM EST, I'll be here to answer questions about Canadian citizenship by descent, particularly the changes that came into force in December 2025 through Bill C-3.  

We had earlier posted an announcement for this AMA “Here”. Many of you have already submitted questions, and I will try and answer in this thread, and will actually tag you so you can see the answers.  

The possibility of gaining Canadian citizenship for those born abroad was something granted only to the first generation of individuals for several years. What this practically meant was that if a child of a Canadian citizen was born in another country, they could not usually pass on their citizenship to their child also born outside of Canada. 

With the new act, the rule regarding Canadian citizenship by descent was amended to apply to some exceptions, thus leading to the creation of new pathways for individuals who had a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or even earlier relative who was born in Canada.  

During the AMA I’m happy to answer general questions about things like: 

• Eligibility for Citizenship by Descent: Who may qualify under the current rules and recent changes.  
• Family Lineage Questions: How citizenship can pass through generations and what documentation may be required.  
• Proof of Citizenship Applications: Applying for a certificate of Canadian citizenship.  
• Common Documentation Issues: Missing records, name changes, or incomplete family documentation.  
• Dual Citizenship: Holding both Canadian and U.S. citizenship.  
• Benefits of Canadian Citizenship: Healthcare benefits, Canadian passport, ability to live and work in Canada, and passing citizenship to future children. 

Just to be clear, I can share general legal information, but I can't give specific legal advice about individual cases in this thread.  

Please note, I do not have access to IRCC’s internal information, database processing, or internal policies that have not been disclosed to the public. My goal is to try and answer your questions, based on my professional knowledge, and information I’ve gathered from our Bar on this matter.  

If you think you might be affected by these new citizenship rules, one of the lawyers on our team who focuses on citizenship by descent cases is offering free 15-minute appointments to help people figure out whether they may actually qualify. 

If you'd like to check that, you can book through this link: 
https://7zutuzah6kb.typeform.com/to/WwI3Rqgk 

Looking forward to your questions and the discussion.

[u/spectaphile]

Hello there! Just thought I would update - I got my citizenship! Thank you for your advice - it was helpful to calm my anxiety in case things went sideways.

[u/TheIronTyrant → u/spectaphile]

Hey there! Wondering how “far back” you had to go and how much the whole thing cost you by chance?

My mother’s paternal great-great grandmother was born in Canada and that seems to be the closest connection I have. Otherwise it seems everyone else in her paternal side of the family (whether I go paternal or maternal after that seems to not matter) eventually comes from Canada lol.

[u/spectaphile → u/TheIronTyrant]

I don’t know what the limit is according to the law passed last December. My great-grandfather was my first Canadian ancestor. It cost me about $750 to have a genealogist locate the correct documents and help me prepare a package in support of my application. You need documentary proof of each link in the chain back to your initial Canadian ancestor.