What canada.ca says about dual citizenship
Canada allows dual citizenship, but not every country allows this. You may lose your current citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)
If you're not sure, canada.ca says to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of your current country of citizenship.
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your own situation, check with IRCC, a licensed immigration representative, and the embassy or consulate of your other country.
After you become a Canadian citizen
Your permanent resident card (PR card) is destroyed or collected at the citizenship ceremony. Your citizenship certificate is not a travel document, and you can't use it to enter Canada.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
As a Canadian citizen, you must have a Canadian passport to travel abroad and return to Canada. You can only apply for a passport after you get your citizenship certificate. canada.ca says to wait for your Canadian passport before leaving the country.
Entering Canada as a dual citizen
canada.ca's page for new citizens says that if you are a dual Canadian citizen, you can enter Canada only with a valid Canadian passport, or with a special authorization, which is issued only in certain cases.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
In general, dual Canadian citizens can't fly to or through Canada with a non-Canadian passport. You need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight.Source: canada.ca, Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport (opens in a new tab)
If your other country requires you to enter and leave it with its own passport, you still need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada. canada.ca says to carry both passports when you travel.
canada.ca has a different rule for Canadian-American dual citizens. To fly to Canada, they need either a valid U.S. passport or a valid Canadian passport. If they travel with only a U.S. passport, they need to carry identification that shows their Canadian citizenship, and they may be asked to go through immigration screening. canada.ca says they should travel with both.
Special authorization if you don't have a Canadian passport
If you are flying to Canada soon without a valid Canadian passport, you may be able to apply for a special authorization. canada.ca lists conditions. For example, your flight to Canada leaves in less than 10 days, you have a valid passport from a visa-exempt country or territory, and you are not a Canadian-American dual citizen.Source: canada.ca, Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport (opens in a new tab)
You must also meet one more condition: you received a certificate of Canadian citizenship before, or held a Canadian passport in the past, or were granted Canadian citizenship after being a permanent resident of Canada.
The authorization is valid for only 4 days from the travel date you choose on the form.
Giving up Canadian citizenship
Canada has a separate process to give up (renounce) Canadian citizenship. In general, you must be a citizen of another country (or become one if your application is approved), not live in Canada, and be at least 18 years old. There are other requirements too. As of November 1, 2026, canada.ca lists the fee as $100. There is no fee for some people who automatically became citizens because of changes to the Citizenship Act.Source: canada.ca, Give up (renounce) Canadian citizenship: Who can apply (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Give up (renounce) Canadian citizenship: About the process (opens in a new tab)
If you renounce your Canadian citizenship, you lose all the rights and privileges of a Canadian citizen and have no status in Canada.Source: canada.ca, Give up (renounce) Canadian citizenship: About the process (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
- Does Canada allow dual citizenship?
- Yes. canada.ca says Canada allows dual citizenship, but not every country allows this.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)
- Will I lose my current citizenship if I become Canadian?
- You may, depending on your other country. canada.ca says you may lose your current citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. If you're not sure, contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of your current country of citizenship.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)
- Can I fly to Canada with my other passport after I become Canadian?
- Generally, no. Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada. Canadian-American dual citizens are different: they can fly with a valid U.S. passport, but they need to carry identification that shows their Canadian citizenship. A special authorization may be possible in some cases.Source: canada.ca, Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport (opens in a new tab)
- Can I use my citizenship certificate to enter Canada?
- No. The citizenship certificate is not a travel document, and you can't use it to enter Canada.Source: canada.ca, After the ceremony (opens in a new tab)
- I have a Canadian parent. Could I already be a Canadian citizen?
- If you have a Canadian parent or grandparent, you may be a Canadian citizen. To find out for sure, you can apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate.Source: canada.ca, Citizenship: who can apply (opens in a new tab)