ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Immigration lawyers in the United States and Canada are seeing a surge in Canadian citizenship application interest after Canada made it easier for millions of Americans to become citizens.
“People always threaten that they’re going to move to Canada. When they say it, they forget it’s a whole other country,” Marty Seed, the founder of ATL Canadians, said.
Canada recently amended its citizenship act. In a statement, the consulate general of Canada in Atlanta says it ensures “fairness and clarity in access to citizenship for those born or adopted abroad.”
MORE COVERAGE: Are you now a Canadian citizen? Here’s the new law’s criteria
Before, Canadian citizenship could only be passed from parent to child. Now, under the new law, anyone born on or before December 15th, 2025, with proof that their parent, grandparent, great-grandparent or even a more distant ancestor was Canadian can now claim citizenship.
If you’re thinking of getting citizenship and moving, it’s not as easy as you think. You may want to talk to an expert.
“It does get very confusing, especially if you have properties, if you’re on work visas, where your residency is, if you have money in bank accounts sitting — if you’re a resident somewhere, you’re supposed to claim worldwide income,” said Tonya Rose, the owner of Vice Versa Taxes, a company that specializes in cross-border taxes.
If you do want to move, remember how vast Canada is.
“Investigate where to go, because Canada’s massive. Vancouver’s different from Montreal, Toronto, Nova Scotia,” Seed said.
If you claim Canadian citizenship but don’t want to move, there’s the ATL Canadians expat network. The group brings people together and hosts events like the Atlanta Canada Fest.
“The community aspect is fantastic,” Natalie Antoine, a Canadian living in Atlanta, said. ”Having other people here who just want to see you succeed, support, it’s like being at home.”
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