Canada officially allows dual citizenship, meaning Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will never ask you to surrender your foreign passport at your oath ceremony. However, if your home country strictly prohibits dual citizenship, you may be legally required to surrender your old passport to your local embassy or consulate shortly after becoming a Canadian.
Taking the Oath of Citizenship is one of the most exciting milestones for any newcomer living in Canada. After years of holding Permanent Resident status, paying taxes, and building a life in this country, you are finally ready to become a full citizen. Naturally, many applicants experience a moment of panic, wondering if they must hand over their foreign passport to the Canadian judge during the ceremony. 🚨 Thankfully, under the Canadian Citizenship Act, Canada fully recognizes and permits dual and multiple citizenships.
While the Canadian federal government welcomes you keeping your original nationality, the ultimate decision actually lies with your home country. Nations like India, China, and Japan have strict single-nationality laws. If you originate from a country that does not permit dual citizenship, acquiring a Canadian passport automatically nullifies your original citizenship under their domestic laws. 🍁 Understanding how to properly handle your travel documents as of May 2026 will save you from heavy fines or complicated border delays when travelling abroad.
Step-by-Step Process for Dual Citizens in Canada
Whether you live in Toronto, Vancouver, or a smaller municipality, the federal rules managed by IRCC remain exactly the same across every province and territory. Here is how you should handle your documentation before, during, and after your citizenship ceremony. 🏛
Step 1: Verify Your Home Country’s Nationality Laws
Before attending your ceremony, you should contact your home country’s embassy or consulate in Canada. Ask them directly about their dual citizenship policies. For example, Indian citizens must formally renounce their Indian citizenship and obtain a Surrender Certificate once they naturalize in Canada. 📝 Conversely, citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States, and France can hold both passports indefinitely without any issues.
Step 2: Attend the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony
During the actual oath ceremony, whether held via Zoom or in-person at a local Service Canada or IRCC centre, you must bring all of your original documents. The presiding official will ask to see your current foreign passport to verify your identity, but they will hand it right back to you. ✅ They have zero authority to confiscate a document issued by a foreign government.
Step 3: Destroy Your Permanent Resident (PR) Card
While you keep your foreign passport, you absolutely cannot keep your Canadian PR card. During the ceremony, you will be instructed to physically cut your Permanent Resident card in half in front of the camera or the official. 💳 The moment you take the oath, you are no longer a permanent resident, and holding the card becomes invalid.
Step 4: Surrender to Your Embassy (If Required)
If your original country prohibits dual citizenship, you must follow their specific legal steps to surrender your passport. This usually involves booking an appointment at their embassy in Ottawa or a local consulate, paying a renunciation fee, and handing over the booklet. 📧 Do not attempt to travel on a cancelled foreign passport, as this is considered an immigration offence by most foreign border agencies.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Managing your citizenship transition involves fees on both the Canadian side and potentially your home country’s side. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay in Canadian dollars (CAD).
- Canadian Citizenship Fee: The standard IRCC processing fee for an adult grant of citizenship is $630 CAD. Minor applicants pay $100 CAD. 💵
- Canadian Passport Fee: Once you are a citizen, obtaining a standard 10-year Canadian adult passport costs $160 CAD. 📘
- Foreign Renunciation Fees: This varies wildly. For instance, obtaining a Surrender Certificate from the Indian consulate currently costs approximately $130 to $170 CAD, depending on administrative charges. 💼
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Payable To |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC Citizenship Application | $630 | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
| First Canadian Passport | $160 | Service Canada / Passport Program |
| Foreign Embassy Surrender | $0 – $300+ | Your home country’s consulate |
How Long Does the Process Take?
As of May 2026, standard Canadian citizenship applications generally take between 6 to 10 months from the day IRCC receives your complete application. After attending the ceremony and receiving your digital or paper citizenship certificate, you must wait at least two business days before applying for your Canadian passport. ⏳ If you need to surrender your foreign passport to an embassy, that administrative process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks depending on the specific consulate’s current backlog.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I travel with my foreign passport after the ceremony?
If your home country allows dual citizenship, yes, you can travel with it. However, to re-enter Canada by air, you are legally required to present a valid Canadian passport to board your flight. A foreign passport will no longer work for Canadian re-entry without an emergency travel document.
What happens if I hide my new citizenship from my home country?
If your home country forbids dual citizenship and you travel back using your old passport, you could face severe penalties upon arrival. Foreign border guards can easily detect new citizenships, which often results in heavy fines, visa cancellations, or even passport confiscation.
Does IRCC notify my home country when I become Canadian?
Generally, Canada respects international privacy laws and does not proactively send a list of new citizens to foreign governments. However, information-sharing agreements exist for security purposes, and you are legally bound to follow your country of origin’s nationality rules.
Do I need a lawyer to attend my oath ceremony?
No, a lawyer is not required for the ceremony itself. However, if you have complex dual-nationality issues, tax implications, or criminal inadmissibility concerns, consulting a local immigration lawyer or law firm beforehand is highly recommended.
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