Citizenship law firm Cohen Immigration Law launched the “Family Line Explorer” on October 9, a browser-based questionnaire that walks users through their lineage to determine whether they may already be Canadian citizens. The tool arrives at a moment when proof-of-citizenship backlogs have ballooned past 136,000 files, with U.S. residents comprising the single largest source country. Users start with any known Canadian ancestor and answer a series of yes/no questions—Was the ancestor born in Canada? Did they naturalise elsewhere before 1947? Did any link in the chain formally renounce citizenship? The algorithm then generates a checklist of primary and secondary documents needed to file a Proof of Citizenship (CIT 0001) application. The launch capitalises on Bill C-3, which took effect December 15, 2025 and partially lifted the first-generation limit by allowing claims further down the line provided each generation maintains a “substantial connection” to Canada (1,095 days of presence). For cross-border employers, the tool offers a straightforward way to verify whether U.S. hires might in fact be Canadian—opening doors to immediate work eligibility without Labour-Market Impact Assessments or work permits. Because a person who is deemed a citizen cannot apply for temporary resident status, determining that status early prevents filing the wrong application and burning processing fees. HR teams contracting dual citizens on U.S. payrolls should also flag potential Canadian tax obligations once they meet residency thresholds. While the Explorer provides useful triage, it does not replace legal advice. Complex cases—such as adoptions or ancestors who became U.S. citizens before 1947—still require document analysis by a lawyer, and IRCC retains final authority when assessing Proof applications.
Source: IRCC.com
