Citizens of these 10 countries can hold dual citizenship with Canada

Canadian law fully recognizes dual and multiple nationalities, meaning individuals can become Canadian citizens without being expected to give up their existing citizenship(s).

However, by the very nature of dual citizenship, an individual’s ability to hold two passports is subject to the laws of both countries involved.

If you wish to pursue Canadian citizenship (through naturalization or citizenship by descent), your ability to retain your original citizenship(s) will therefore be dependent on the laws in these jurisdictions.

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Some countries do not permit dual citizenship—such as India, China, and Iran—and require you to renounce your home country’s citizenship, but many do outright (or impose certain conditions).

In this article, we will review the top 10 source countries for new Canadian citizens in 2025 (January to November) that allow dual citizenship and highlight any restrictions or considerations.

Countries allowing dual citizenship with Canada

1. Philippines

The Philippines permits dual citizenship with Canada for natural-born Filipino citizens only.

Natural-born Filipinos who acquire Canadian citizenship can retain their Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 9225 by taking an oath of allegiance.

Additionally, children born abroad to at least one Filipino parent are automatically dual citizens by birth and simply need to report their birth to a Philippine consulate.

2. Nigeria

Nigeria allows dual citizenship with Canada, but only for certain individuals.

Those who gained their Nigerian citizenship at birth or through descent are allowed to keep their original nationality after becoming a Canadian citizen.

This is not the case for those who gained Nigerian citizenship through naturalization. Individuals in this scenario must renounce their original citizenship if they become Canadian.

Note that those holding dual citizenship must enter and leave Nigeria with their Nigerian passport, per the Government of Canada.

3. United States

As a citizen of the US, you are allowed to obtain Canadian citizenship without having to renounce your existing citizenship.

There are no conditions in place—meaning those who were born there, became a citizen through naturalization, or were born outside the US to one or more US citizens are all eligible for dual citizenship.

The US government specifies, however, that entry into and exit from the US must be done on a US passport—not a Canadian passport.

4. France

France has allowed dual citizenship since 1973 and permits its citizens to hold multiple nationalities without requiring renunciation.

The French government does not impose any restrictions or conditions on holding dual citizenship.

5. Pakistan

Citizens of Pakistan are not required to renounce their original citizenship upon becoming Canadian citizens, following recent changes to Pakistan’s citizenship legislation.

In 2025, Pakistan formalized new dual citizenship arrangements under the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024, allowing Pakistani nationals to keep their citizenship if they obtain citizenship in one of the 22 countries below.

Since Canada is on the list, Pakistani nationals can retain their citizenship following naturalization or obtaining citizenship through citizenship by descent (if eligible).

6. Brazil

Brazil recognizes and permits (condition- and restriction-free) dual citizenship, so Brazilian nationals can pursue Canadian citizenship without having to give up their original citizenship.

The Government of Brazil does note, however, that “the condition of dual or multiple nationalities may result in a reduction in the possibility of consular protection by the Brazilian State.”

7. United Kingdom

As a British citizen, you are allowed to hold dual citizenship in both the United Kingdom and Canada.

You are under no obligation to renounce your original citizenship once you become a Canadian citizen.

You will be expected to have a valid UK/Irish travel document to travel to the UK, and the UK government specifies that “as a dual national, you cannot get diplomatic help from the British government when you are in the other country where you hold citizenship.”

8. Germany

As of June 27, 2024, citizens of Germany are allowed to hold dual citizenship with other countries, including Canada.

Prior to this date, German citizens automatically lost their citizenship, but there were some exceptions to this previous rule, including

• Those who acquired dual citizenship at birth could maintain both;
• Those who were naturalized as citizens of another EU-member state or Switzerland;
• Those who received official permission to retain their German citizenship before requiring foreign (e.g., Canadian) citizenship; and
• Those who had a German parent (citizenship by descent).

9. Syria

Those who are citizens of Syria are not required to renounce their citizenship, as the country allows its citizens to possess more than one nationality.

The Syrian government notes, however, that those who hold dual citizenship (e.g., Syrian and Canadian) will always be considered and treated as Syrian citizens first when dealing with legal, administrative, or diplomatic matters.

10. Mexico

Mexico explicitly allows dual (and multiple) citizenship, allowing Mexican nationals to maintain their citizenship alongside another country’s citizenship without having to renounce either.

This has been the case since 1998, and there are currently no restrictions or conditions in place regarding the possession of more than one citizenship.

How to become a Canadian citizen

There are three paths to Canadian citizenship, which will be described below.

Citizenship by birth: Any child born on Canadian soil automatically becomes a citizen, regardless of their parents’ status. There are a few exceptions, including children born to foreign diplomats, consular officers, or staff of foreign governments/international organizations who enjoy diplomatic immunity.

Naturalization: Permanent residents can apply for citizenship after physically living in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the previous five years.

Applicants must file income taxes if required, have no serious criminal record, and intend to continue living in Canada. Those aged 18-54 must pass a citizenship test covering Canadian history, values, rights, and responsibilities, and demonstrate English or French language proficiency at CLB level 4 or higher. A citizenship ceremony is the final step.

Citizenship by descent: Bill C-3, which took effect December 15, 2025, created two different rules based on birth date. For anyone born abroad before December 15, 2025, the first-generation limit has been completely removed—citizenship flows through unlimited generations as long as you can trace your lineage back to a Canadian-born or naturalized ancestor.

For children born abroad on or after December 15, 2025, citizenship can still pass beyond the first generation, but the Canadian parent who was also born abroad must prove a “substantial connection” to Canada by demonstrating at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth.

You can check your eligibility here.

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