Generally, Canada fully allows dual citizenship. This means the Canadian government will not ask you to give up your first passport when you become a Canadian. However, it is very important to check the laws of your home country, as some nations may automatically revoke your original citizenship once you take the Oath of Citizenship in Canada.
🍁 Becoming a Canadian citizen is an exciting milestone for any permanent resident. Many families living in Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary dream of the day they can finally hold a Canadian passport. However, a very common question in 2026 is whether Canada allows dual citizenship and how this change affects your first passport. People naturally want to keep their deep connection to their home country while enjoying all the benefits, rights, and responsibilities of being Canadian.
The good news is that Canadian law is very welcoming and flexible when it comes to holding multiple nationalities at the same time. Generally, the government respects your global ties and does not force you to choose between your past and your future. If you find the legal rules confusing or worry about how this affects your family, exploring our directory to find a qualified immigration lawyer in your province is often a wonderful step to get personalized, empathetic guidance.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Step 1: Understanding the Canadian Rules on Dual Citizenship
📖 Under current Canadian law, the country fully recognizes and allows dual citizenship. This means you can legally be a citizen of Canada and another country at the exact same time without breaking any rules. You will not lose your status or your rights in Canada just because you choose to carry a second passport from your birth country.
Generally, new Canadians enjoy the exact same rights as those who were born here, including the right to vote and run for political office. You are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, regardless of how many other citizenships you hold. It is a very safe and legally protected status.
Step 2: Checking the Laws of Your Home Country
🌎 While Canada allows dual nationality, the most critical step is to check if your home country does too. Every nation has its own unique citizenship laws. Some countries, like the United States or the United Kingdom, generally allow you to keep your status when you become Canadian.
Conversely, several nations have strict rules and may automatically cancel your original citizenship the moment you take the Canadian oath. It is highly recommended to contact your local embassy or consulate, whether they are located in Ontario, Alberta, or elsewhere, to confirm their specific policies before you submit your application.
Step 3: Completing Your Canadian Citizenship Application
📄 Once you confirm your home country’s rules and decide to move forward, you can begin your Canadian citizenship application. Generally, most applicants must prove they have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days within the five years immediately preceding the date of application. Under sections 5(1)(c) and 5(1.005) of the Canadian Citizenship Act, you can count time spent in Canada under a valid temporary resident status (such as a study permit, work permit, visitor visa, or as a protected person) before becoming a permanent resident. Each day spent under temporary resident status counts as a half-day (0.5), up to a maximum credit of 365 days. The remaining days must be spent as a permanent resident, with each day counting as a full day.
You will gather your supporting documents, such as tax records and language test results, and submit your application online through the IRCC portal. Most applicants find the online system user-friendly, but taking your time to ensure every date and physical presence calculation matches your travel history perfectly will help avoid unnecessary processing delays.
Step 4: Attending the Oath of Citizenship
🎉 If your application is approved and you pass the citizenship test, the final step is attending the citizenship ceremony. Whether you attend in person at a local government centre in Montreal or Halifax, or join virtually via a secure video call, this is the moment you officially become Canadian. You will swear or affirm the Oath of Citizenship alongside other new Canadians.
During this ceremony, you are officially granted your citizenship certificate. This beautiful document is your primary proof of your new status. It is important to keep it safe, as you will need it for the next and final step of your journey.
Step 5: Travelling with Two Passports
✈️ After receiving your citizenship certificate, most new Canadians quickly visit a Service Canada centre to apply for a Canadian passport. As a dual citizen, it is important to know how to travel legally. Generally, if you are flying back into Canada, the law requires you to travel using your valid Canadian passport.
Airlines will usually not let you board a flight to Canada using your foreign passport once you are a registered Canadian citizen, because your permanent resident card is destroyed at your ceremony. When travelling to your home country, you can usually use your original passport, depending on their local border rules.
How Much Does it Cost?
💰 Securing your Canadian citizenship and your new passport involves standard government fees. While you do not pay extra for being a dual citizen, you must cover the costs of the naturalization process. Here is a general breakdown of the expenses you can expect in 2026:
| Application or Service | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Adult Citizenship Application Fee | $653 per adult |
| Minor Citizenship Application Fee (under 18) | $100 per child |
| 5-Year Canadian Passport | $122.50 per adult |
| 10-Year Canadian Passport | $163.50 per adult |
Keep in mind that if you need to translate foreign documents for your application, or if you choose to hire an immigration lawyer to review your physical presence calculation, your total costs will be higher.
How Long Does the Process Take?
🕖 The timeline for becoming a dual citizen depends largely on the current IRCC processing times. In 2026, a standard citizenship application generally takes about 13 months from the day you submit your file to the day you attend your oath ceremony. Delays can happen if your file is incomplete or if you are asked to provide extra fingerprints.
Once you have your citizenship certificate, applying for a Canadian passport is quite fast, with timelines dependent on how you apply. Regular service standards are exactly 10 business days if you apply in person at a specialized passport office (Service Canada Centre – Passport Services) or a Service Canada Centre that offers 10-day processing. If you apply by mail or in person at a regular Service Canada Centre, the standard is 20 business days. Crucially, under the federal “30 days or free” guarantee launched on April 1, 2026, you will receive an automatic, full refund of your passport fee if it takes more than 30 business days to process your complete application (excluding mailing times).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Canada tax dual citizens on their foreign income?
In Canada, taxation is generally based on your residency status, not your citizenship. If you live and work in Canada most of the year, you are considered a tax resident and must report your global income. If you move abroad permanently, your tax obligations to Canada usually change, unlike in some other countries.
Can my children have dual citizenship in Canada?
Yes, absolutely. Children born in Canada are automatically Canadian citizens. If the parents hold citizenship from another country that passes nationality down by blood, the child may automatically be a dual citizen from birth. It is always best to register their birth with your home country’s embassy.
Do I need a Canadian passport to fly back to Toronto?
Generally, yes. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, are required to enter Canada by air using a valid Canadian passport. If you try to check in for your flight using your foreign passport, the airline’s automated system will likely flag you and deny boarding.
What happens if my home country does not allow dual citizenship?
If your home country strictly forbids dual citizenship, they may automatically revoke your original passport and citizenship status once you officially become Canadian. Canada will still welcome you as a citizen, but you will lose your rights in your country of birth.
Is there a limit to how many citizenships I can hold in Canada?
No, there is no limit under Canadian law. You can hold dual, triple, or even multiple citizenships simultaneously. As long as the other countries involved allow it, Canada does not restrict the number of passports you can legally hold in your name.
Can I use my foreign passport if I drive across the US border?
If you are travelling by land in a private vehicle from the United States into Canada, you can sometimes use other documents to prove your Canadian citizenship, such as your citizenship certificate. However, carrying your Canadian passport is always the fastest and most highly recommended way to cross the border smoothly.
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