Two ways to get dual citizenship with Canada

Canadian citizenship law allows for dual citizenship, which has become a hot commodity in today’s era of increasing geopolitical instability.

Many citizens of the United States, for example, have been claiming Canadian citizenship to become dual citizens in recent years.

Provided that the citizenship law of your current nationality allows it, there are two ways you can become a dual citizen by obtaining Canadian citizenship: through descent, if you have a Canadian ancestor, or through first immigrating to Canada as a permanent resident and subsequently becoming naturalized.

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If you qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent, you can apply to the Canadian government for proof of citizenship, with documentation attesting to your Canadian ancestry.

To gain Canadian citizenship through naturalization, you would first become a permanent resident, reside in Canada for at least three years, then undergo an official language test, citizenship exam, and citizenship ceremony.

When is dual citizenship allowed?

To hold dual citizenship, both nations of which you are a dual citizen must permit dual citizenship.

Because Canadian citizenship law permits dual citizenship, you can hold dual citizenship with Canada as long as it is permitted by the laws of your other nationality.

The following ten countries allow dual citizenship and are popular sources of new Canadians. This list is not exhaustive; other countries also allow dual citizenship with Canada.

Getting Canadian citizenship by descent

If you have at least one Canadian ancestor, you may be able to gain Canadian citizenship by descent.

You can gain citizenship by even if you were born outside Canada, and even if your parent never held a Canadian passport. Birth and adoption equally qualify for citizenship by descent.

Canada recently expanded its legislation around citizenship by descent, making thousands of additional people eligible for Canadian citizenship: because citizenship can pass down through more than one generation, you can obtain citizenship by descent through any Canadian ancestor from which you’re directly descended by birth or adoption: not only your parent, but also a grandparent, great-grandparent, even great-great-great-grandparent.

If you are eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent, you can make that official by applying to the Canadian federal government for proof of Canadian citizenship.

Upon the successful processing of your application, you’ll receive a citizenship certificate.

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Getting Canadian citizenship through naturalization

Many dual citizens with Canada have gained their Canadian citizenship through naturalization.

To be naturalized as a citizen, you must have first gained Canadian permanent residence.

After having met the requirement of three years of physical presence in Canada, a permanent resident can apply for Canadian citizenship through naturalization.

If you’re currently a permanent residence, you can use an online calculator to see if you’ve met the physical presence requirement.

Getting Canadian citizenship through naturalization requires demonstrating basic proficiency in English or French, passing an exam showing knowledge of Canada, and attending an official citizenship ceremony and swearing the oath of citizenship.

If you already possess another nationality and aren’t required to renounce it by your other country, you will gain dual citizenship upon being naturalized as a Canadian citizen.

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Getting Canadian permanent residence

If you don’t qualify for citizenship by descent and aren’t currently a permanent resident of Canada, your first step to Canadian citizenship must be becoming a permanent resident of Canada.

The most straightforward route to Canadian permanent residence is to be sponsored by a family member who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian.

You can be sponsored by a spouse or common-law partner, or by your parent, if you’re considered a dependent child under Canadian immigration law.

For the many foreign nationals who cannot be sponsored and are not refugees, the best path forward is to pursue Canadian permanent residence through an economic pathway, such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, or Quebec immigration (only if you intend to settle in Quebec).

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Getting a Canadian passport

Getting a Canadian passport is not automatic upon becoming a Canadian citizen. Rather, you must apply for one.

Applying for your first Canadian passport requires a document proving your Canadian citizenship, a document proving your identity, two contacts to serve as references, and a guarantor possessing their own Canadian passport.

You can apply for a 5-year or 10-year passport.

As of the time of writing, the following service standards are in place for passport applications:

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