A growing number of American women are considering moving to another country, and Canada is one of the most popular choices. Some may have another option that they have not considered: Canadian citizenship through family ancestry.
A 2025 Gallup poll found that 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 said they would move to another country permanently if they had the opportunity. Canada was the most popular destination, chosen by 11% of those surveyed. New Zealand, Italy, and Japan each received 5%.
Canada may be an especially important option for some American women because changes to Canadian citizenship law mean that some people with Canadian ancestors may already be citizens.
Why Are More American Women Looking Abroad?
The Gallup results show that interest in leaving the US has grown over the past decade.
In 2014, 10% of American women said they wanted to move to another country. That share rose to 21% in 2016 and reached 40% in 2025.
Politics has been one factor behind this rise. Other women who have moved abroad have also pointed to concerns about safety, healthcare, discrimination, work-life balance, and the environment in which children are raised.
For some families, issues such as school safety and access to healthcare have also become part of the decision to consider life in another country.
Why Does Canada Appeal To American Women?
Canada offers several features that may appeal to women who are considering a move abroad.
Safety
Canada is often ranked as one of the safest countries for travellers. It also ranks higher than the US in the Women, Peace and Security Index for women’s safety.
The 2026 index placed Canada 16th, while the US ranked 31st. The index looks at factors related to women’s inclusion, justice, and security.
Parental Leave Benefits
Canada also offers stronger parental leave support than the US federal system.
Outside Quebec, eligible new parents can receive up to 84 weeks of combined paid leave through the federal Employment Insurance program after the birth of a child.
In comparison, the US federal Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave. The leave is unpaid under federal law, although state and employer benefits can provide additional support.
Abortion Rights
Abortion is legal across Canada and is treated as healthcare rather than a criminal matter under Canadian law.
Access is different across the US, where abortion rules now vary by state after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Work-Life Balance
Canada also has a reputation for supporting work-life balance. Some provinces have introduced rules that limit work-related communication outside normal working hours.
Most employees covered by federal labour rules are also entitled to at least two weeks of vacation after one year of continuous employment. Vacation rules in the US can vary widely, and federal law does not provide a general paid vacation requirement.
Protection For Minorities
Canada has human rights protections covering gender identity across all provinces and territories. This can be an important factor for LGBTQ Americans and families with LGBTQ children who are considering another country.
Canada also has a highly diverse population. The 2021 Canadian census reported more than 450 ethnic and cultural origins.
Some American Women May Already Be Canadian Citizens
Canada made a major change to its citizenship-by-descent rules on December 15, 2025, when Bill C-3 came into effect.
The change removed the first-generation limit that had restricted citizenship by descent for some people born outside Canada. Under the updated rules, citizenship may pass through several generations when there is an unbroken connection to a Canadian citizen.
This means an American with a Canadian grandparent, great-grandparent, or an ancestor further back may have a citizenship claim, depending on the family history and the rules that apply to the case.
The change followed a 2023 Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision that found the previous first-generation limit unconstitutional.
Since the rule change, many Americans have applied for proof of Canadian citizenship. A citizenship certificate confirms Canadian status for people who are already citizens.
Not every person with a Canadian ancestor will automatically qualify. The family connection must be established with the required records.
For some Americans, Canadian citizenship may also serve as a second option rather than an immediate plan to move. A Canadian passport can provide another travel document and give citizens the right to live and work in Canada.
How To Check For A Canadian Family Connection?
American families with possible Canadian roots can begin by looking at family history.
A French-Canadian surname may provide a useful clue. Family stories about a relative who spoke French or once lived in Canada may also point toward a possible connection.
New England has a particularly strong link to Canadian ancestry. Nearly 900,000 French-speaking Canadians moved from Quebec to New England between 1840 and 1930, with many settling in communities close to textile mills.
These families created close communities often known as ‘Little Canadas.’ Many descendants remained in the US, meaning Canadian ancestry can still be found in family trees across the region.
The first step is usually to identify the Canadian ancestor through whom the citizenship claim may pass.
Older family members can often provide useful information about grandparents, great-grandparents, birthplaces, and earlier family homes. Family records can then be used to confirm those details.
Documents Can Help Establish Citizenship
Once a possible Canadian ancestor is identified, the family line must be traced from that person to the present generation.
Important records can include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Records showing legal name changes
- Canadian citizenship records
- Other official documents connecting each generation
The goal is to show the relationship between the Canadian ancestor and the person making the citizenship claim.
A missing record, different name, or conflicting date may require additional evidence. Official documents are generally stronger than information found only on genealogy websites.
A Canadian ancestor several generations back does not automatically make every descendant a Canadian citizen. However, the removal of the first-generation limit means that the distance between the applicant and the Canadian ancestor may no longer be the main barrier it once was.
For American women considering a move abroad, checking family history could therefore reveal an option that was not previously known. In some cases, the connection to Canada may already provide citizenship and the right to live and work there without going through a separate immigration route.
CWRVisa, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at CWRVisa.ca.