Canada allows and fully recognizes dual citizenship. So, if you become a Canadian citizen through naturalization, you might still be able to hold on to your other nationality—depending on the rules of your country of origin. Some countries are okay with dual citizenship, others have strict requirements, and a few don’t permit it at all. In this blog, we’ll explore whether you’ll need to give up your citizenship for Canada or not.
We’ll also break down how the top ten source countries for Canadian immigrants treat dual citizenship.
Let’s dive in!
Dual Citizenship: What Your Country Allows
To help you understand whether you need to give up your citizenship for Canada or not, here’s a table of dual citizenship rules from the top 10 countries that send immigrants to Canada:
| Country | Dual Citizenship Allowed? | Conditions For Dual Citizenship |
| India | No | N/A |
| Philippines | Yes | Yes |
| China | No | N/A |
| Nigeria | Yes | Yes |
| Pakistan | Yes | Yes |
| Iran | No | N/A |
| United States of America | Yes | No |
| Brazil | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Syria | Yes | No |
If your home country doesn’t permit dual citizenship, you may lose your original nationality either automatically or by having to formally renounce it when you become Canadian.
Having dual citizenship means you’ll carry the rights and responsibilities of both nations. Let’s take a closer look at how this works in each of these countries.
India
India doesn’t allow dual citizenship. If you’re an Indian citizen and become Canadian, you are legally required to renounce your Indian citizenship and surrender your passport.
The Indian Passport Act, 1967 makes it illegal to apply for or use an Indian passport after acquiring a foreign one. But you can apply for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. While it’s not full citizenship, it does give you a lifelong visa and other benefits in India.
Philippines
The Philippines allows dual citizenship in certain situations.
You may qualify if:
- You’re born abroad to a Filipino parent
- You’re married to a Filipino
- You were born in the Philippines and later acquired a foreign citizenship
If none of these apply, you may need to give up your Filipino citizenship when you become Canadian.
China
Another country wherein you need to give up your citizenship for Canada is China.
China does not recognize dual citizenship. Once you become a citizen of another country, you’re automatically seen as having lost your Chinese citizenship.
If you travel to China with a Chinese passport or ID, the Chinese government may treat you as a Chinese national and deny Canadian consular assistance if something goes wrong.
Nigeria
Nigeria allows dual citizenship—but only if you acquired Nigerian nationality by birth or descent. If you became Nigerian through naturalization and plan to get Canadian citizenship, you’ll have to renounce your Nigerian citizenship.
Pakistan
Pakistan allows dual citizenship for nationals acquiring Canadian citizenship.
The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024 lists Canada among 22 countries with which Pakistan has dual citizenship agreements. So, you can keep both nationalities without needing to renounce your Pakistani citizenship.
Iran
Iran does not officially accept dual citizenship.
If you’re Iranian-Canadian, Iranian law still treats you as an Iranian citizen. You must enter and exit Iran using your Iranian passport. Canada may not be able to assist you if you’re detained or face legal issues in Iran.
If Iranian authorities become aware of your Canadian citizenship, you could face restrictions on leaving the country or have your passport taken away.
United States of America
The U.S. recognizes dual citizenship. If you become Canadian, you can keep your American citizenship.
However, when traveling to or from the U.S., you are legally required to use your U.S. passport—even if you’re also Canadian.
Brazil
Brazil allows dual citizenship and doesn’t require you to renounce your Brazilian nationality when you naturalize as a Canadian.
Keep in mind that while in Brazil, your Canadian citizenship may not always be recognized by Brazilian authorities, i.e., your consular services might be limited while you are in Brazil.
France
France has no issues with dual citizenship. You can become a Canadian citizen without giving up your French nationality. There are no extra conditions.
Syria
Syria officially permits dual citizenship.
However, Syrian authorities often prioritize your Syrian nationality over any other. This means they may ignore your Canadian citizenship when dealing with legal or administrative matters.
How To Become A Canadian Citizen Through Naturalization?
There are certain countries for which you need to give up your citizenship for Canada.
Howevere, if you weren’t born in Canada or didn’t inherit Canadian citizenship through your parents, you’ll need to go through the naturalization process under the Canadian Citizenship Act.
To apply, you must:
- Be a permanent resident
- Have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the last 5 years
- File your taxes (if required) during that 5-year period
- Pass the Canadian citizenship test (if you’re aged 18–54)
- Prove basic English or French ability (CLB 4 or higher)
Children under 18 don’t need to meet the physical presence or language test requirements.
The citizenship test has 20 questions and is available in English or French. You’ll attend a citizenship ceremony (virtually or in person) once approved and take the oath of citizenship.
Children under 14 are exempt from the oath.
At the moment, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) takes about 10 months to process a complete application.
Final Thoughts
Whether you need to give up your citizenship for Canada or not really depends on your home country’s laws. While Canada allows dual citizenship, not every country shares the same view.
Before applying for Canadian citizenship, it’s a good idea to check with your country’s embassy or consulate about its rules on dual nationality. Understanding this ahead of time can help you plan your next steps and avoid complications down the road.
Becoming Canadian doesn’t always mean saying goodbye to your roots—but it’s important to know where you stand.
Seek professional assistance from Immigtoronto for a hassle-free immigration process. Our skilled consultants are focused on guiding potential immigrants. If you have inquiries, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
