Canada Dual Citizenship - Here Is All You Need To Know!

Last Updated On 8 April 2023, 11:05 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Dual citizenship is undoubtedly widespread in Canada, with roughly one in twenty residents travelling with more than one passport.

However, being a dual citizen comes with several advantages and disadvantages.

Although, Canada allows dual citizenship, but aspiring dual citizens should be mindful that their birth country or previous country of citizenship may not allow having dual citizenship.

As a result, they may require you to give up your home country’s passport.

Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Canadian dual citizenship and the list of countries that do not permit dual citizenship.

Dual Citizenship Requirements Vary

Sometimes, a person seeking dual citizenship might obtain it without relocating to another country.

For instance, anyone with ancestors from Ireland or Italy is eligible to apply for citizenship. Italy provides ancestor passports.

However, in other situations, an individual applying for dual citizenship must inform their home country’s appropriate authorities of their new citizenship.

Acquiring new citizenship may prevent an individual from certain rights and duties of their home countries.

For instance, Egyptians must notify the government of their desire to keep their Egyptian citizenship within the first year of obtaining Canadian citizenship.

After that, they will be prohibited from joining the Egyptian military, police, or parliament.

Similar terms apply to Pakistanis who choose to become citizens of Canada but keep their nationality in Pakistan.

In addition to losing some voting rights, they are no longer permitted to join the Pakistani military or work in the government.

Also, Indian government doesn’t allow dual citizenship. So, an Indian who becomes Canadian citizenship have to surrender their Indian passport.

This is requirement by India as Canada allows dual citizenship, but not India. Alternatively, Indian origin Canadian citizens can apply for OCI (Overseas Citizen of India).

Moreover, when obtaining a U.S. passport and participating in government services, people with dual citizenship must declare their “other allegiances.”

The advantages of dual citizenship

In many situations, including travelling, keeping one’s original citizenship can be of great value. For example, there will be no visa requirements for Canadians who are also citizens of the country they are visiting.

Additionally, a Canadian with two nationalities may travel to another country without waiting weeks or months to obtain a visa or pay a visa fee for each visit.

However, even dual citizens of Canada must show their Canadian passports while boarding a flight to Canada. The only exception to this regulation is dual citizenship between the U.S. and Canada.

Before November 2016, many dual citizens from other countries could enter Canada without visa requirements. However, this has changed.

Dual citizens of Canada are now required to enter Canada using a Canadian passport following the new Electronic Travel Authorization (Canada eTA) regulations. Previously, people could travel with their home country’s passport.

Moreover, dual citizens must still fulfill the fundamental requirements, such as maintaining good health, having sufficient funds to travel, committing no felonies and having their correct identification, even if they have a Canadian passport.

Other advantages allow Canadians who hold dual citizenship to reside in the other country for as long as desired, work there, open a bank account, purchase real estate there, and have access to that country’s public health and education insurance programs.

Also, dual citizenship might save a person’s life in times of crisis brought on by civil unrest or other dangerous situations by giving them a choice of embassies from which to seek assistance.

The disadvantages of dual citizenship

About disadvantages, dual citizenship comes with the obligation to abide by all laws governing military duty, funding for the public education system, and taxation.

People who desire to work for a government position requiring a high-level security clearance may encounter difficulties if they have dual citizenship.

Further, if Canadian citizens get into problems in another nation with dual citizenship, Canada may suddenly find themselves unable to assist them.

Ottawa states on its website under travel: “If you are a dual citizen and travel to the other country where you hold citizenship, local authorities could refuse to provide you access to Canadian consular services.” It might make it impossible for Canadian consulate officials to assist you.

It is essential for immigrants who choose to take the citizenship oath in Canada to understand that while many countries permit dual citizenship, some do not. Therefore, the best course of action is to inquire about dual citizenship with the embassy or consulate first, along with any unique circumstances.