Canadian law fully allows dual and multiple citizenships. This means people can become Canadian citizens without giving up their current citizenship.
However, the ability to hold two passports depends on the laws of both countries involved.
Anyone who plans to apply for Canadian citizenship, either through naturalization or citizenship by descent, must check whether their home country allows dual citizenship.
Some countries, such as India, China, and Iran, do not allow dual citizenship and require people to give up their original nationality. Many other countries, however, allow it fully or with some conditions.
This article looks at the top ten countries that allow dual citizenship with Canada, along with any important rules or limits.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Countries Allowing Dual Citizenship With Canada
Philippines
The Philippines allows dual citizenship with Canada, but only for natural-born Filipino citizens.
Natural-born Filipinos who become Canadian citizens can keep their Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 9225 by taking an oath of allegiance.
Children born outside the Philippines to at least one Filipino parent are automatically dual citizens at birth. They only need to report their birth to a Philippine consulate.
Nigeria
Nigeria allows dual citizenship with Canada, but only for certain people.
Those who became Nigerian citizens by birth or descent can keep their Nigerian citizenship after becoming Canadian.
Those who became Nigerian citizens through naturalization must give up their Nigerian citizenship if they become Canadian.
Moreover, dual citizens must enter and leave Nigeria using a Nigerian passport, according to the Government of Canada.
United States
Citizens of the United States can become Canadian citizens without giving up their US citizenship.
This applies to people born in the US, those who became US citizens through naturalization, and those born abroad to US citizens.
The US government requires dual citizens to enter and leave the United States using a US passport, not a Canadian one.
France
France has allowed dual citizenship since 1973.
French citizens can hold multiple citizenships and do not need to renounce any nationality.
France does not place any conditions or limits on holding dual citizenship.
Pakistan
Pakistan allows its citizens to keep their citizenship when they become Canadian citizens, following recent legal changes.
In 2025, Pakistan passed the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024. This law allows Pakistani nationals to keep their citizenship if they obtain citizenship in one of 22 approved countries.
Eligible Countries
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- France
- Italy
- Belgium
- Iceland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Finland
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Syria
- Switzerland
- Netherland
- US
- Sweden
- Ireland
- Bahrain
- Denmark
- Germany
- Norway
- Luxembourg
Since Canada is on this list, Pakistani citizens can keep their nationality after becoming Canadian citizens, whether through naturalization or citizenship by descent (if eligible).
Brazil
Brazil fully allows dual citizenship without conditions or restrictions.
Brazilian citizens can become Canadian citizens without giving up their Brazilian nationality.
The Brazilian government notes that having more than one citizenship may reduce the level of consular protection Brazil can offer abroad.
United Kingdom
British citizens are allowed to hold both UK and Canadian citizenship.
There is no need to renounce British citizenship after becoming Canadian.
British dual citizens must use a valid UK or Irish travel document to enter the UK. The UK government also states that dual citizens cannot receive diplomatic help from the government while in the other country of citizenship.
Germany
As of June 27, 2024, German citizens are allowed to hold dual citizenship with other countries, including Canada.
Before this date, German citizens usually lost their citizenship when becoming citizens of another country, though there were some exceptions. These included:
- Those who acquired dual citizenship at birth
- Those who became citizens of another European Union country or Switzerland
- Those who received official permission to keep German citizenship before becoming citizens of another country
- Those who had a German parent and received citizenship by descent
Syria
Syria allows its citizens to hold more than one nationality.
However, the Syrian government states that people with dual citizenship will always be treated as Syrian citizens first when dealing with legal, administrative, or diplomatic matters inside Syria.
Mexico
Mexico clearly allows dual and multiple citizenship.
Mexican citizens can keep their citizenship when becoming citizens of another country, including Canada.
This policy has been in place since 1998, and there are no restrictions on holding more than one nationality.
Dual Citizenship For Indian Nationals
India was the top country for new Canadian citizens in 2025, but it does not allow dual citizenship.
Indian nationals must give up Indian citizenship to become Canadian. However, they can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which works like a lifetime visa and offers certain benefits.
How To Become A Canadian Citizen?
Now that we have discussed the countries that allow dual citizenship with Canada, let us discuss the three main ways to become a Canadian citizen.
Citizenship By Birth:
Any child born in Canada automatically becomes a Canadian citizen, no matter the parents’ status.
However, there are some exceptions. Children born to foreign diplomats, consular officers, or staff of foreign governments or international organizations with diplomatic immunity do not receive Canadian citizenship by birth.
Naturalization:
Permanent residents can apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the last five years.
Moreover, applicants must file income taxes if required, have no serious criminal record, and intend to continue living in Canada.
Applicants aged 18 to 54 must pass a citizenship test. This test covers Canadian history, values, rights, and responsibilities. They must also show English or French language ability at CLB level 4 or higher.
A citizenship ceremony is the final step in the process.
Citizenship By Descent:
Bill C-3, which took effect on December 15, 2025, changed the rules for citizenship by descent.
For anyone born abroad before December 15, 2025, the first-generation limit has been completely removed. Citizenship can now pass through unlimited generations, as long as the person can trace their family line back to a Canadian-born or naturalized ancestor.
For children born abroad on or after December 15, 2025, citizenship can still pass beyond the first generation. However, the Canadian parent who was also born abroad must show a “substantial connection” to Canada. This means proving at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth.
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