Dual Citizenship in Canada: Rules, Countries and How It Works
Canadian citizenship can be held alongside another nationality because Canada allows dual and multiple citizenship. A person may become a dual citizen through naturalization, birth, descent or acquiring citizenship in another country, but there is no separate Canadian dual-citizenship application. Whether the other citizenship can be retained depends on that country’s laws, which may impose renunciation, notification, passport or other requirements. Dual citizens must also understand the travel documents required to enter Canada, possible tax and reporting obligations, and practical considerations such as healthcare eligibility, military service and limits on Canadian consular assistance abroad. Reviewing both countries’ current rules is essential before acquiring or relying on dual citizenship.
Does Canada Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes. Canada allows dual citizenship.
Dual citizenship, also called dual nationality, means that two countries legally recognize the same person as a citizen at the same time. The person holds citizenship rights and responsibilities under the laws of both countries.
Keeping another citizenship
Under Canadian law:
- A Canadian citizen can generally acquire another country’s citizenship without losing Canadian citizenship.
- A foreign national who becomes a Canadian citizen is not required by Canada to renounce their existing citizenship.
However, every country establishes its own citizenship rules. Some countries permit dual citizenship, while others restrict it, permit it only in specific circumstances or may withdraw citizenship when a person voluntarily becomes a citizen of another country.
Before obtaining Canadian or foreign citizenship, individuals should confirm the consequences with the relevant foreign embassy, consulate or government authority.
Is there a dual-citizenship application?
Canada does not issue a separate dual-citizenship status, certificate or application form. A person becomes a dual citizen when Canada and another country each recognize that person as a citizen under their respective laws.
Canada has permitted dual citizenship since February 15, 1977, when the current Citizenship Act came into force.
Can someone have three or more citizenships?
Canadian law does not generally limit a person to two citizenships. A Canadian may hold three or more citizenships if the laws of every country involved allow the person to acquire and retain them.
This is often called multiple citizenship rather than dual citizenship. The rules must be checked separately for each country because one country may allow multiple citizenships while another may impose restrictions or require renunciation.
Key takeaway
Canada allows dual citizenship, but whether a person can keep another citizenship depends on the laws of that country.
How to Get Dual Citizenship in Canada
You do not apply separately for dual citizenship. You apply for Canadian citizenship or obtain official recognition that you are already Canadian.
Dual citizenship may arise in several ways. A permanent resident may become a Canadian citizen while retaining another citizenship, a Canadian may acquire citizenship in another country, or a person may already be Canadian by birth or descent. A child may also receive more than one citizenship through their birthplace or parents.
Canada does not require applicants to renounce another citizenship. However, the other country may restrict dual citizenship or treat the acquisition of Canadian citizenship as a reason for losing its citizenship.
Main pathways to dual citizenship
- Citizenship through naturalization: A permanent resident may apply after meeting the applicable requirements, including valid permanent-resident status, at least 1,095 days of physical presence during the five-year eligibility period, tax filing when required, and any applicable language and citizenship test requirements. Approved applicants aged 14 or older normally take the citizenship oath.
- Citizenship by birth in Canada: Most children born in Canada are Canadian citizens at birth. A limited exception applies to certain children of foreign diplomatic personnel.
- Citizenship by descent: A person born outside Canada may already be Canadian through a Canadian parent. The rules depend on the date of birth and the parent’s circumstances. For certain births on or after December 15, 2025, a Canadian parent who was also born or adopted abroad must have accumulated at least 1,095 days in Canada before the child’s birth.
- Proof of citizenship: Someone who may already be Canadian generally applies for a citizenship certificate to confirm and document that status. This is not an application to become a dual citizen.
- Foreign citizenship: A Canadian may apply for another country’s citizenship if eligible, but that country determines whether Canadian citizenship can be retained.
There is no Canadian dual-citizenship application form. Citizenship application fees and citizenship processing times depend on the application type and can change. The process is not automatically difficult, but complex descent histories or missing evidence may require additional review.
Which Countries Allow Dual Citizenship with Canada?
Canada does not have a list of approved or ineligible countries. Restrictions come from the citizenship laws of the other country.
A person may keep Canadian citizenship regardless of whether another country recognizes dual nationality. However, acquiring Canadian citizenship can affect the person’s original citizenship if that country restricts multiple citizenships. The outcome may depend on how each citizenship was acquired, the person’s age and whether permission or notification requirements were completed.
Because citizenship laws change, country-specific rules should be confirmed through the relevant government, embassy or consulate before an application or renunciation decision is made.
How countries are generally classified
- Generally allow dual citizenship: These countries normally permit citizens to acquire Canadian citizenship without automatically losing their existing citizenship. Conditions may still apply.
- Allow it only in certain circumstances: Dual citizenship may be permitted for birth citizens, children, citizens by descent, spouses or people who receive advance approval. Different rules may apply to naturalized citizens.
- Generally prohibit or do not recognize it: A country may require renunciation before granting citizenship, automatically withdraw citizenship when Canadian citizenship is acquired, or continue treating the person only as its own citizen while they are in that country.
Restrictions to check
Country-specific rules may include:
- Automatic loss of the original citizenship after voluntarily becoming Canadian;
- Mandatory renunciation, advance permission or notification;
- Different rules for children, birth citizens and naturalized citizens;
- Required use of that country’s passport when entering or leaving; and
- Military-service, government-employment or public-office restrictions.
A country that does not recognize dual citizenship may also limit access to Canadian consular assistance when the person is within its territory.
Country profiles should be treated as general guidance rather than a determination of individual status. Each profile should identify the country’s general position, the effect of becoming Canadian, relevant exceptions or retention requirements, passport and travel rules, the official source consulted and the date the information was last reviewed.
Dual Citizenship Travel and Tax Rules
Dual Canadian citizens must follow Canada’s travel-document rules and the entry requirements of their other country. Canadian tax obligations, however, are generally determined by tax residency rather than citizenship.
For travel to Canada by air, most dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport. Canadian citizens cannot normally use an electronic travel authorization because an eTA is intended for eligible foreign nationals, not Canadian citizens.
When entering another country of citizenship, that country may require the use of its passport. Carrying both passports may therefore be necessary.
Key travel rules
- Entering Canada by air: A valid Canadian passport is generally required, including when transiting through Canada.
- Canadian-American dual citizens: A valid Canadian or U.S. passport may be used to fly to Canada. Carrying both is recommended.
- Different names: Travel bookings should match the passport presented to the airline. Different names across passports can cause delays, even when supporting name-change documents are available.
- Expired Canadian passport: An expired passport generally does not meet the air-travel requirement. Some travellers departing within 10 days may qualify for special authorization. Temporary passports or emergency travel documents are issued only in limited circumstances.
- Entering the other country: Local law determines which passport must be presented when entering or leaving that country.
Tax rules for dual citizens
Canada generally taxes individuals according to their tax-residency status, not Canadian citizenship. Canadian residents are generally taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are usually taxed only on certain Canadian-source income.
Dual citizenship does not automatically result in paying tax twice. Tax treaties, foreign tax credits and other rules may reduce double taxation, but another country may impose separate filing, reporting or payment obligations.
U.S.–Canadian dual citizens
The United States generally requires U.S. citizens abroad to file U.S. tax returns and report worldwide income when applicable thresholds are met. Additional foreign-account reporting may also apply. Canadian residence does not automatically remove these U.S. obligations.
Professional cross-border tax advice is recommended because residency, income, assets and applicable treaty provisions must be assessed individually.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship in Canada
Dual citizenship can provide rights and opportunities in more than one country, but it may also create legal and practical obligations under both countries’ laws.
In Canada, a dual citizen has the same citizenship rights and responsibilities as any other Canadian citizen. However, the rights available in the other country—and the obligations that continue after moving to Canada—depend entirely on that country’s laws.
Practical benefits and considerations
- Citizenship rights in both countries: A dual citizen may be able to live, work, study and vote in both countries, subject to each country’s eligibility rules. Citizenship may also provide access to passports and services available to citizens.
- Provincial healthcare: Canadian citizenship does not automatically provide active provincial or territorial health coverage. Eligibility generally depends on establishing residence, registering for the applicable health plan and meeting that province or territory’s physical-presence requirements. Extended time abroad may affect coverage.
- Foreign legal obligations: The other country may impose military or national-service requirements, citizenship registration duties, tax reporting obligations or restrictions on holding certain public offices. These rules may apply even when the individual lives primarily in Canada.
- Travel and documentation: Maintaining two passports can make travel or residence in both countries easier, but each country may require its own passport for entry and departure. Different names, document expiry dates and conflicting travel requirements can create practical difficulties.
- Canadian consular assistance: When a dual citizen is in the other country of citizenship, local authorities may treat that person only as their citizen. They may refuse or restrict access to Canadian consular assistance, particularly if they do not recognize dual citizenship.
Dual citizenship may therefore offer greater mobility, security and long-term personal or family options, but it can also create overlapping responsibilities. The practical advantages and disadvantages depend on the countries involved, the individual’s residence, travel plans, family circumstances and professional obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Canadian dual citizenship expire or can it be lost?
Canadian citizenship does not expire, and an expired Canadian passport does not end citizenship. Acquiring or keeping another nationality also does not cause Canadian citizenship to expire. Canadian citizenship may be lost if an individual formally applies to renounce it and the application is approved. It may also be revoked if citizenship was obtained, retained, resumed or renounced through fraud, false representation or knowingly concealing material information. Passport validity and citizenship status are separate matters.
Does marrying a Canadian automatically provide dual citizenship?
No. Marriage to a Canadian citizen does not automatically provide Canadian citizenship or dual citizenship. There is no separate or faster citizenship process for spouses of Canadian citizens. A foreign spouse may first qualify for permanent residence, including through spousal sponsorship. After becoming a permanent resident, the spouse must meet the regular citizenship requirements, including physical presence and any applicable tax-filing, language and citizenship-test requirements. Whether the original citizenship can be retained depends on the other country’s laws.
Can a person hold both Canadian and U.S. citizenship?
Yes. Canada and the United States generally permit a person to hold both citizenships. Becoming Canadian does not, by itself, cause the loss of U.S. citizenship, and acquiring U.S. citizenship does not automatically end Canadian citizenship. Canadian-American dual citizens may use either a valid Canadian or U.S. passport to fly to Canada, although carrying both is recommended. U.S. citizens may also have continuing U.S. tax-filing and foreign-account reporting obligations while living in Canada.
Can a dual citizen vote or hold public office in Canada?
Dual citizens have the same voting rights as other Canadian citizens if they meet the applicable age and electoral requirements. Holding another citizenship does not, by itself, prevent a person from voting or becoming a candidate in a federal election. Canada also does not automatically disqualify a person from serving as prime minister solely because that person holds another citizenship. However, particular government, defence or security-sensitive positions may involve separate eligibility, screening or conflict-of-interest requirements. Rules in the other country may also restrict political office or public service.
