How to Get Dual Citizenship in Canada

How to get dual citizenship in Canada is pretty straightforward. Canada embraces dual nationality, so you keep your current passport while gaining access to one of the world’s most stable democracies. Canadian citizenship provides visa-free travel to 185 countries and serves as your gateway to North American markets.

The benefits are compelling: world-class education systems, universal healthcare, strong employment protections, political stability, and strategic positioning between US business opportunities and global markets. For digital nomads and global professionals, Canada offers an ideal base with modern infrastructure, favorable time zones, and English/French language advantages.

How to get dual citizenship in Canada requires meeting residency obligations – 1,095 days over five years – but multiple pathways exist. Skilled workers, family members, provincial nominees, and investors all have routes to Canadian citizenship, with time on work permits counting toward residency requirements.

This guide covers every pathway to Canadian dual citizenship, residency requirements, and application procedures to help you secure your place in one of the world’s most desirable countries.

Table Of Contents:

• Does Canada Even Allow Dual Citizenship?
• The Main Paths to Canadian Citizenship
  • Citizenship by Birth (Jus Soli)
  • Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
  • Citizenship Through Naturalization
• Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get Dual Citizenship in Canada
  • Step 1: Become a Permanent Resident
  • Step 2: Meet the Physical Presence Requirement
  • Step 3: File Your Taxes
  • Step 4: Pass the Citizenship Test
  • Step 5: Prove Your Language Skills
• Application and Fees
• What Are the Benefits of Canadian Dual Citizenship?
• Possible Hurdles and What to Watch For
• Conclusion

Does Canada Even Allow Dual Citizenship?

First, let’s clear up the most important question. Yes, Canada absolutely allows you to be a citizen of another country while also being a Canadian citizen. The Canadian government will not make you choose between your nationalities.

This is a huge advantage for many people, giving you the freedom of two different national identities. You can travel, live, and work without the usual visa headaches in two countries. This flexibility can be especially valuable if you have family or business interests in both nations.

However, there is a critical detail you cannot ignore. While Canada is fine with it, your home country might not be. Some countries automatically revoke your citizenship if you voluntarily become a citizen of another, so be sure to check the laws of your current country before you start.

The Main Paths to Canadian Citizenship

Getting dual citizenship means you first have to become a Canadian citizen. There is no special dual citizen application; you simply become Canadian, and if your other country allows it, you are then a dual citizen.

There are three main ways this can happen.

Citizenship by Birth (Jus Soli)

Canada follows the principle of jus soli, which is a Latin term for “right of the soil.” This means if you were born on Canadian soil, you are almost always a Canadian citizen. A Canadian birth certificate is your primary proof.

This rule is a cornerstone of Canadian law and identity. It does not matter what your parents’ citizenship status was when you were born. A child born in Canada is typically Canadian from birth.

The only major exception is when a child is born in Canada to foreign diplomats.

Otherwise, a Canadian birthplace means automatic Canadian citizenship.

Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Another way you might be a Canadian citizen is by jus sanguinis, or “right of blood.” This applies if you were born outside of Canada but at least one of your biological or legal parents was a Canadian citizen at the time you were born.

Canadian citizenship law changed in 2009, affecting this rule. Now, citizenship by descent is generally limited to the first generation born abroad. This prevents citizenship from being passed down for generations outside Canada.

If you think this applies to you, you can apply for a proof of citizenship certificate through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can check your application status and manage IRCC applications through your online IRCC account. This is different from international adoption, which has its own specific immigration processes.

Citizenship Through Naturalization

This is the most common path for people who immigrate to Canada. Naturalization is the process by which a foreign national becomes a Canadian citizen after meeting a set of requirements.

First, you must be a permanent resident of Canada.

After that, you must live in Canada for a certain amount of time and meet other important conditions. This route requires dedication and careful planning, especially when considering factors like processing times. Many individuals explore immigration programs to find their best fit.

This is the path we will focus on the most because it applies to so many people who choose to make Canada their home. It often starts with a temporary status, perhaps a work permit, before transitioning to a permanent resident (PR) status.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get Dual Citizenship in Canada

Alright, this is the main event. If you were not born in Canada and do not have a Canadian parent, this is your path to citizenship.

Step 1: Become a Permanent Resident

You cannot apply for Canadian citizenship without first becoming a permanent resident. Think of permanent residency as the waiting room for citizenship.

Many immigration programs can lead to permanent residency.

Popular options include Express Entry, which uses a points-based system for the federal skilled worker program. This skilled worker program assesses candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills.

The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) allow specific provinces to nominate people with the skills they need to support their local economies.

There is also family sponsorship, where a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their spouse or family members to immigrate to Canada permanently.

Programs like International Experience Canada can provide a stepping stone for young people to gain Canadian work experience.

Step 2: Meet the Physical Presence Requirement

Once you are a permanent resident, you need to actually live in Canada.

Canada wants to see that you are truly making the country your home. This is known as the physical presence or residency requirement.

You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the five years right before you apply for citizenship. That boils down to three years out of five. These days do not need to be continuous, offering some flexibility for travel.

Some of the time you spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident might count. The government has an official physical presence calculator that can help you figure out if you have met the requirement. It is an incredibly useful tool to track your days accurately.

Step 3: File Your Taxes

Part of becoming a citizen is showing that you are a responsible member of society. That means filing your taxes. Canada’s government is very clear about this rule.

You must have filed personal income taxes for at least three of the five years before you apply for citizenship. This requirement matches up with the physical presence rule. This demonstrates to the Canadian government that you are financially established and contributing to the economy.

For more details on your tax obligations, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website is the best place to look. Meeting this obligation is also important for accessing programs like employment insurance benefits or the new Canadian dental care plan in the future.

Step 4: Pass the Citizenship Test

If you are between the ages of 18 and 54, you have to take and pass the Canadian citizenship test. This might sound intimidating, but millions of people have passed it. The test is designed to show you have a good understanding of Canada.

It covers topics like Canadian history, values, geography, the economy, and the government, including our abundant natural resources. It also tests your knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen. You should be prepared to wait, as current processing times can vary for receiving your test invitation.

Everything you need to know for the test is in the official study guide called Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. It is a free guide provided by the government. The test has 20 questions, and you need to get at least 15 correct to pass.

Step 5: Prove Your Language Skills

Canada is a bilingual country, with English and French as its official languages. You have to prove you can speak and understand one of them. This shows you can communicate and be part of Canadian society.

Just like with the citizenship test, this requirement applies to applicants between 18 and 54. You need to show that you meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 4 or higher in speaking and listening. These language skills are crucial for daily life and work in Canada.

You can prove this in a few ways. You can submit results from an approved third-party language test like the IELTS or CELPIP for English. You can also show proof that you graduated from a high school or post-secondary program that was taught in English or French.

Application and Fees

After you have met all those requirements, it is time to officially apply. You will need to fill out the application form carefully and gather all your supporting documents. This paperwork is really important, so take your time to avoid errors that could lead to delays.

Your documents will include proof that you are a permanent resident, language test results, and photocopies of your passport. You will also need two official citizenship photos that meet specific government guidelines.

The complete application package can be found on the IRCC website, which is the only place you should get your forms to avoid immigration fraud.

Of course, there are fees involved. You will have to pay a processing fee and a right of citizenship fee. Here is a simple breakdown of the costs for an adult.

These fees can change, so it is always smart to check the official source for the most current costs before you send your application. Once submitted, you can monitor your application status online.

What Are the Benefits of Canadian Dual Citizenship?

Why go through all this effort? Because the benefits of holding Canadian passports are massive, especially for business people and digital nomads. It gives you a level of global mobility that few possess.

Here are just a few of the advantages:

• The right to hold a Canadian passport, which offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries.
• Full freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada without time limits or restrictions.
• The ability to vote in Canadian elections and even run for political office.
• Access to Canada’s universal healthcare system and other social benefits like retirement pensions.
• The ability to access the new Canadian dental care, a program designed to help lower-income Canadians.
• You can pass down your Canadian citizenship to your children who are born abroad, subject to the first-generation rule.
• It provides a safe and stable home base in a country known for its high quality of life and opportunities.

Possible Hurdles and What to Watch For

The path to citizenship is straightforward, but that does not mean it is without bumps.

Losing your first citizenship could have major impacts on your life, family, and assets. You have to be 100% sure about the rules of your home country.

It is also important to consider security, as all applicants are screened for issues related to national security.

You should be aware of potential tax implications. If you become a dual citizen, you might have tax obligations in both countries. For example, U.S. citizens are taxed on their worldwide income no matter where they live, creating complex situations that may require professional legal advice.

Finally, keeping track of your physical presence days is essential. Long trips outside of Canada can delay your eligibility, especially if your air travel is frequent. If you travel a lot for work, you will need to plan carefully to make sure you meet the 1,095-day requirement before applying for your Canadian citizenship.

Conclusion

The process of how to get dual citizenship in Canada is clear and achievable. It begins with becoming a permanent resident and ends with you taking an oath at a citizenship ceremony. It takes time, patience, and a lot of paperwork, but it is a well-trodden path.

Holding that Canadian passport in your hand, while keeping your original one, offers a level of freedom and security that is truly life-changing. You gain access to benefits, a stable political environment, and a welcoming society.

If this is your goal, know that it is completely within your reach. With careful planning and attention to the requirements, you can successfully become a proud Canadian citizen.