Dual Citizenship in Canada: What You Need to Know Before You Apply

You have worked hard to build your life in Canada. Naturalization is within reach — but a question is holding you back: if you become Canadian, do you have to give up the citizenship you were born with?

It is one of the most common concerns we hear from permanent residents preparing to apply. The short answer is that Canada fully permits dual citizenship — and has since 1977. But whether you can actually hold both depends heavily on what your home country allows. That is where things get more complicated.

This guide walks through what dual citizenship Canada rules look like in practice: Canada's legal position, what your home country may require of you, and the practical details you need to consider before you take the oath.

Does Canada Allow Dual (or Multiple) Citizenship?

Yes — without reservation. The Citizenship Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-29) does not require you to renounce any other citizenship when you become Canadian. Canada recognizes that you may hold one, two, or more citizenships simultaneously, and Canadian law will treat you as fully Canadian regardless of what other passports you carry.

This has been Canada's position since the Citizenship Act came into force in 1977. Before that, acquiring a foreign citizenship could strip Canadian citizenship automatically — but that era is long over. As of writing, nothing in the Citizenship Act penalizes you for retaining or acquiring additional citizenships.

Your Home Country's Rules Are a Separate Question

Canada's permissive approach does not bind other governments. Many countries around the world restrict or prohibit their nationals from holding dual nationality, and the consequences of naturalizing as Canadian can range from nothing to the automatic loss of your original citizenship.

Some countries that have historically restricted dual nationality include (but are not limited to) countries in parts of Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and some European nations — but laws in this area change frequently. A country that restricted dual citizenship a decade ago may have liberalized its rules, or vice versa.

You must confirm your home country's current position directly. The right sources are:

• Your home country's embassy or consulate in Canada
• The official citizenship or immigration authority in your home country
• A lawyer licensed to practise in your home country if the rules are unclear

Do not rely on information from friends or online forums. Citizenship laws are amended without fanfare, and the stakes — losing a citizenship you may never be able to recover — are too high to rely on secondhand accounts.

What Happens to Your Existing Citizenship When You Naturalize?

From Canada's perspective: nothing. Canada grants you citizenship and does not ask you to relinquish anything else. IRCC does not contact your home country on your behalf, and your oath of Canadian citizenship does not legally extinguish any other citizenship.

From your home country's perspective: it depends entirely on their law. Three common scenarios:

• No restriction: your home country allows dual nationality and takes no action. You simply hold two passports. Many countries — including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Ireland, and the Philippines — fall into this category as of writing, though you should always confirm the current rules.
• Automatic loss: some countries treat the voluntary acquisition of another citizenship as an automatic act of renunciation. You may lose your original citizenship the moment you take the Canadian oath, sometimes without any formal notice from your home country's government.
• Notification or permission required: some countries require you to notify them or obtain prior approval before naturalizing elsewhere. Failure to do so may result in a fine, loss of citizenship, or other consequences under that country's law.

Practical Implications of Holding Dual Citizenship

Travel documents and passport use

Canada expects you to enter and exit Canada on your Canadian passport once you are a citizen. Your home country may expect the same — that you use their passport when crossing their borders. In most cases, travellers carry both passports and present each at the relevant border. Before travelling, confirm the entry requirements of any country you plan to visit.

Taxes

Canada taxes its residents (and in some cases citizens abroad) on worldwide income. Other countries — most notably the United States — also tax based on citizenship rather than residence. If you hold citizenship in a country with citizenship-based taxation, you may have filing obligations in both countries even if you live exclusively in Canada. Speak with a tax professional familiar with both jurisdictions before you naturalize.

Military and civic obligations

Some countries impose military service, jury duty, or other civic obligations on their nationals regardless of where those nationals live. Naturalizing as Canadian does not end those obligations under the other country's law. Check whether your home country can compel you to perform military service or other duties.

Children and Dual Citizenship

Children born in Canada to non-Canadian parents are generally Canadian citizens by birth under the Citizenship Act. This often means a child automatically holds Canadian citizenship and the citizenship of their parents' home country or countries simultaneously, without any formal application.

Children born outside Canada to a Canadian parent may acquire Canadian citizenship — but the rules around citizenship by descent have changed over the years and depend on the circumstances. As of writing, there are generational limits on citizenship by descent that can affect grandchildren and later generations. Confirm the current rules on Canada.ca or with a lawyer.

Common Misconceptions

"I have to pick one citizenship or the other." Not under Canadian law. Canada does not ask you to choose.

"Becoming Canadian automatically cancels my other citizenship." No — Canadian law has no such effect. Only your home country can revoke your home-country citizenship.

"My home country won't find out." Maybe — but assume they will. Many countries track naturalizations abroad, particularly in countries with large diaspora communities. And if you ever apply for a home-country passport renewal, visit family, or deal with inheritance matters there, your dual status may come to light.

"The rules haven't changed since I last checked." Citizenship laws can and do change. Always verify the current position as of writing — and confirm again closer to your oath date.

Frequently asked questions