Dual Citizenship in Canada: What You Need to Know

Canada allows dual citizenship, and even multiple citizenship. Becoming Canadian does not require you to give up your original nationality, on the Canadian side. The real thing to check is not about Canada but about your country of origin: some countries do not allow dual nationality. This article sums it up; for official Canadian details, see canada.ca.

Key takeaways

• On the Canadian side: dual and multiple citizenship are allowed.
• No renunciation required by Canada for your original nationality.
• The real test: the rules of your country of origin, not Canada's.
• Some countries remove their nationality when you acquire another.
• The habit: check with your country's authorities before you apply.

What Canada's rule really means

From Canada's point of view, nothing forces you to choose. You can become a Canadian citizen while keeping one or more other nationalities. Canada sets no limit on how many you hold and does not ask you to prove you gave up your original passport.

That reassures many applicants, but it only tells half the story. Citizenship is a relationship between you and each country involved, and each one applies its own rules.

Check the rules of your country of origin

Some countries automatically remove their nationality from a person who acquires another, while others accept it without any trouble. Because this rule does not depend on Canada, the only way to be sure is to ask the authorities of your country of origin, such as its embassy or consulate, before you file your application.

This habit avoids nasty surprises, especially around how you use your passports or your obligations back home. It has no effect on your Canadian eligibility, which follows the same conditions as for everyone else. You will find them in our guide on citizenship eligibility.

Frequently asked questions

Does Canada allow dual citizenship? Yes. Canada allows dual, and even multiple, citizenship. Becoming Canadian does not require you to give up your original nationality on the Canadian side.

Will I lose my original nationality by becoming Canadian? That depends entirely on your country of origin. Some countries accept dual nationality, others remove it automatically. Check your country's rules before you apply.

Can I hold more than two nationalities? Yes, from Canada's point of view. Canada sets no limit on the number of nationalities. The only constraint comes from the other countries involved.

Dual citizenship is just one of the perks of Canadian status. For the full picture, read our guide on the benefits of Canadian citizenship, then prepare for the test with a free mock exam.