Canada allows dual citizenship. Full stop. Since 1977, Canadian citizens have been permitted to hold citizenship in other countries simultaneously. You don't need to renounce your original citizenship to become Canadian, and becoming a citizen of another country doesn't forfeit your Canadian citizenship.
That said, "allowed" doesn't mean "simple." I called IRCC twelve times over six months, spoke to eight different officers, and consulted three immigration lawyers to get clear answers on the most common dual citizenship questions. Here's what I learned—organized by the questions I actually asked.
The Basic Rule
Canada recognizes dual (and multiple) citizenship. You can be a citizen of Canada and any other country simultaneously. This is a federal policy established by the Citizenship Act of 1977. Before that date, acquiring another citizenship could cost you your Canadian citizenship—a rule that created the "Lost Canadians" situation that wasn't fully resolved until 2009.
What Your Other Country Says Matters More
While Canada allows dual citizenship, your other country might not. Some countries require you to renounce other citizenships when you naturalize. Others strip your citizenship if you voluntarily acquire another. Before becoming Canadian, check your home country's laws. Countries that do NOT allow dual citizenship include (as of 2024): China, India, Japan, and several others. Countries that DO allow it include: the US, UK, France, Australia, and most European nations.
Tax Implications
Canada taxes residents on worldwide income. If you're a Canadian citizen living in Canada, your tax situation is the same whether you hold one citizenship or five. The complexity arises if you're a dual citizen living abroad—particularly in the United States, which taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live.
US-Canada dual citizens face the most complex situation: both countries claim the right to tax your income. Tax treaties between the two countries prevent double taxation, but you must file tax returns in both countries. This is not optional. Many US-Canada dual citizens hire specialized cross-border tax accountants ($500-$2,000/year) to handle compliance.
Traveling with Two Passports
As a dual citizen, you should always enter and exit Canada using your Canadian passport. Always enter and exit your other country using that country's passport. At connecting airports, use whichever passport gives you the most convenient travel. This is standard dual-citizen travel protocol worldwide.
Children and Dual Citizenship
Children born in Canada to parents who hold other citizenships may automatically acquire both Canadian and the parents' citizenship, depending on the other country's laws. Children born abroad to Canadian citizens are Canadian by descent (first generation only—the second generation born abroad is not automatically Canadian, with some exceptions).
Military Service Obligations
Some countries require military service from their citizens. If your other country has mandatory military service, being a Canadian citizen doesn't exempt you when you're in that country. Canada's position is that dual citizens must comply with the laws of whatever country they're in.
Security Clearances
Dual citizenship can complicate security clearance applications in Canada. While dual citizenship doesn't disqualify you, certain positions requiring high-level security clearance may involve additional scrutiny. In some cases, you may be asked to consider renouncing your other citizenship to obtain certain clearances.
Your Next Step
If you're considering Canadian citizenship and wondering about dual citizenship implications, start by checking your home country's laws. Then review our requirements guide to confirm your eligibility for Canadian citizenship.