More Americans gain Canadian citizenship after law change, i.e., a recent change in Canada’s citizenship law has made many Americans eligible for Canadian citizenship. Among them is Matt LeBlanc, who is now officially a Canadian citizen, just like his former co-star Matthew Perry.
LeBlanc, known for playing Joey Tribbiani in Friends and its spin-off Joey, has gained Canadian citizenship through family roots. This change comes after Canada removed limits on how far back citizenship can be passed through family lines.
LeBlanc now joins Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing, as a dual citizen of both the United States and Canada. Perry had already held Canadian citizenship due to his early life in the province of Ontario.
LeBlanc was born in Massachusetts, but his Canadian link comes from his father, Paul LeBlanc. His family has French-Canadian roots from New Brunswick. These roots are part of the Acadian culture, which is also connected to the Cajun heritage found in Louisiana.
His grandmother, Genevieve Melanson, was born in New Brunswick, which further supports his claim.
Interestingly, while LeBlanc is fluent in French, his character Joey was known for struggling with the language.
Canada’s citizenship law does not look at culture or language. It only looks at family history.
What Changed In Canada’s Law?
In December 2025, Canada passed Bill C-3. This law removed the “first-generation limit” on citizenship by descent for people born before December 15, 2025.
This means that people can now claim Canadian citizenship even if their Canadian ancestor lived many generations ago.
Because of this change, millions of Americans are now eligible for Canadian citizenship. Many of them come from families that moved from Canada to the United States many years ago.
Today, many Americans may already qualify, even if their families have lived in the United States for generations.
Could Americans Qualify For Dual Citizenship?
Millions of Americans have Canadian roots. This makes them eligible for dual citizenship under the new law.
Those with French surnames or family ties to regions like New England may have a higher chance of qualifying.
The first step is to study family history. This can include talking to relatives and checking old records.
Once a Canadian ancestor is found, the next step is to collect proof. This can include documents such as birth records, marriage certificates, and baptism records.
For those with family links to the province of Quebec, more steps may be needed.
Applicants may need official documents from Quebec’s civil registry, known as the Directeur de l’état civil. This office requires a valid reason before sharing records.
Older records may also be stored at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. These archives keep documents that are over 100 years old. Since the law change, requests for these records have increased.
Some applicants choose to work with legal experts in Canada. These professionals can help avoid mistakes and speed up document requests, especially since local requests are often handled faster.
How To Apply For Canadian Citizenship?
After gathering all required documents, applicants can submit a paper application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate.
At present, it takes about 10 months for applications to be reviewed and completed.
Once approved, applicants receive a citizenship certificate. This confirms their status as Canadian citizens.
They can then apply for a Canadian passport, which offers access to many countries without needing a visa.
Benefits Of Dual Citizenship
Dual citizens of the United States and Canada enjoy rights in both countries.
They can enter Canada freely, live and work anywhere in the country, and buy property.
If they choose to live in Canada, they may also access public healthcare services.
Canada allows dual citizenship, so holding both passports is fully legal.
Another benefit is that Canada does not tax citizens on worldwide income, unlike the United States.
For many Americans with Canadian ancestry, this opportunity offers many advantages.
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