Dual Citizenship in Canada: What You Need to Know
One of the questions new applicants ask most often is whether becoming a Canadian citizen means giving up their original citizenship. In Canada, the answer is generally no.
Canada's policy: dual citizenship is fully permitted
Canada has permitted dual and even multiple citizenship since 1977, and does not require new citizens to renounce any other citizenship they hold as a condition of becoming Canadian. You can become a Canadian citizen while remaining a citizen of your country of origin, as long as that other country also allows it.
The other side of the equation: check your origin country's rules
Whether you actually end up holding dual citizenship depends equally on the laws of your country of origin. Some countries automatically revoke citizenship when a person naturalizes elsewhere, or require an explicit renunciation, or have other restrictions. Canada's permissive policy cannot override another country's own citizenship laws, so it is worth checking your origin country's specific rules directly.
Practical implications of holding dual citizenship
As a dual citizen, you generally need a valid Canadian passport to fly to or through Canada: you cannot board a flight to Canada with your other passport alone. The main exception is for Canadian-American dual citizens, who may fly with either a valid Canadian passport or a valid US passport. Canadian consular help can also be limited in your other country of citizenship, and a country that does not recognize dual citizenship may treat you only as its own national while you are there. Tax obligations can also apply in both countries depending on their specific rules, which is worth checking with a tax professional if relevant to your situation.
This connects to Bill C-3 and citizenship by descent
Because Canada permits multiple citizenship, the citizenship-by-descent changes under Bill C-3 (covered in our dedicated guide) can result in people holding Canadian citizenship alongside one or more other citizenships they already had, without having to choose between them.
What some common countries of origin say
India does not allow dual citizenship. Becoming a Canadian citizen ends your Indian citizenship. Source
Under Republic Act 9225, natural-born Filipinos who become Canadian citizens can retain or reacquire Philippine citizenship by applying to the Philippines. Source
China does not recognize dual nationality. A Chinese citizen who settles abroad and voluntarily acquires another nationality automatically loses Chinese nationality. Source
Canada is on Pakistan's list of countries with a dual nationality arrangement, so you do not have to give up Pakistani nationality. Source
US law allows dual nationality, so becoming a Canadian citizen does not by itself require you to give up US citizenship. Source
The United Kingdom recognises dual nationality and does not require British citizens to renounce British nationality. Source
Voluntarily acquiring another nationality no longer automatically causes the loss of French nationality. Source
Under Article 15 of the Nationality Act, a Korean citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses Korean nationality at that time. Source
Since 1998, Mexican law allows Mexicans to hold another nationality. Source
Under Article 96 of the Constitution, Colombian nationality is not lost by acquiring another nationality. Source
Sri Lankan citizenship can end when you acquire another citizenship, unless you apply in advance to retain it under Section 19(3) of the Citizenship Act. Source
A selection only, checked against official government sources in September 2026. Rules can change and depend on your situation, so confirm with your country's embassy or consulate before you apply. Countries whose rules we could not confirm from an official source are not listed.
Sources & notes
Based on canada.ca (Canada allows dual citizenship; most dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to fly to or through Canada; Canadian-American dual citizens may use a valid US passport) and Global Affairs Canada guidance for dual citizens, plus the official sources linked for each country; always verify your specific country of origin's own rules, which Canada does not control.
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