The path of many immigrants to Canada doesn’t finish with getting citizenship. To maintain the advantages and ties of their original nationality, a sizable portion of these recent immigrants to Canada also work toward obtaining dual citizenship. People with dual citizenship have access to the benefits and rights of two nations, expanding their prospects and advantages. Understanding dual citizenship is essential for immigrants who want to embrace their new Canadian identity while preserving ties to their home country in Canada, a country that celebrates multiculturalism.
Dual citizenship is a desirable option for immigrants to Canada due to its many benefits. It can give people in both nations access to jobs, healthcare, and educational possibilities. Furthermore, dual citizens frequently enjoy greater freedoms when traveling between their two countries of citizenship, including the ability to vote and own property. Navigating the complications of multiple citizenship can be difficult, though, because every nation has different laws and rules pertaining to dual nationality. The purpose of this book is to give immigrants the knowledge they need to comprehend dual citizenship in Canada, emphasizing both its advantages and its drawbacks.
Understanding Dual Citizenship
When a person holds valid passports from two separate nations and is officially recognized as a citizen of both, they have dual citizenship. This indicates that the individual possesses the legal rights and obligations of a citizen of both their nation of origin and Canada. A person who holds dual citizenship enjoys all the advantages and rights of both countries, including the freedom to live and work in either country, access to social services, and the ability to vote.
Dual citizens are still subject to the rules and laws of the nation in which they now reside, nevertheless. This implies that a person must abide by the laws of their home country when they reside there, but they are subject to Canadian laws when they live in Canada. It can be difficult to navigate the legal responsibilities of having two citizenships because each nation may have distinct requirements and obligations for its residents, such as those related to taxes, military duty, and civic duties.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship
After obtaining Canadian citizenship, immigrants may decide to keep their dual citizenship for a number of reasons. Among these explanations are:
- The ability to legally possess two passports at the same time.
- The opportunity to remain eligible for and have access to the rights and programs offered to citizens in both countries.
- Easier travel between the two countries of citizenship, often including simplified travel to allied countries.
The opportunity to take advantage of numerous opportunities and benefits from both nations is one of the primary benefits of dual citizenship for immigrants from Canada. For example, people can benefit from Canada’s social services, some of which are only available to citizens, as long as they are citizens. Social Security payouts, healthcare, and education are among these initiatives. Additionally, having dual citizenship frequently gives a person the ability to own real estate in both nations, expanding their options for travel and housing.
However, before obtaining dual citizenship, there are several crucial factors to take into account. The possibility of double taxation is one important consideration. Dual nationals may occasionally be required to pay taxes in both jurisdictions because to their subjectivity to the tax laws of both nations. This can be an intricate and expensive scenario. Dual citizens may also have additional responsibilities, such as required military duty or civic duties in their home nation, which can complicate their new life in Canada. It takes considerable preparation and knowledge of the legal ramifications in both nations to balance these obligations.
Am I Eligible for Dual Citizenship?
Regulations established by the immigrant’s nation of origin are the primary determinant of their eligibility for dual citizenship.
To put it another way, immigrants can only obtain dual citizenship if their home country also allows it, even if Canada allows foreign individuals to keep their original citizenship once they obtain Canadian citizenship.
As a result, it is crucial that immigrants who are thinking about becoming citizens of Canada first study the citizenship regulations in their own nation. This will enable them to comprehend the potential effects of obtaining Canadian citizenship on their current citizenship status.
If people from any of the top 10 source countries for new permanent residents in Canada decide to become citizens, they will be able to keep their dual citizenship, according to the following list.
India
After obtaining Canadian citizenship, immigrants from India are not allowed to maintain dual citizenship. In accordance with Indian law, it is illegal to get Indian citizenship after obtaining citizenship in another nation or to keep an Indian passport active.
Therefore, Indian nationals who become citizens of Canada have to give up their Indian citizenship. They may, nevertheless, choose to seek for the designation of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). While the OCI status does not grant full citizenship rights, it does offer several advantages that are comparable to those of citizenship, such as entry to certain services and visa-free travel to India.
United States of America (USA)
Citizens of the United States are permitted to possess dual citizenship, meaning that obtaining Canadian citizenship will not impact their position as citizens of the United States. This implies that American citizens may choose to become citizens of Canada without having to give up their American citizenship or worrying about any legal ramifications for doing so. They can therefore take advantage of all the rights and advantages that come with having two citizenships, including the ability to travel, live anywhere in the world, and other benefits.
China
Since China’s laws do not recognize dual nationality, immigrants from China cannot hold dual citizenship.
This lack of recognition implies that, should they be judged to be Chinese citizens, China may refuse Canadian visitors access to Canadian consular services, according to a travel advise revised in July 2024 by the Government of Canada. As a result, the Canadian government counsels Chinese nationals to regularly identify themselves as Canadian citizens to foreign authorities and to always enter China using a legitimate Canadian passport. Taking this step is essential to guarantee that they have the necessary consular assistance and services while traveling.
Philippines
Philippine law permits immigrants who are Canadian citizens to keep their dual citizenship.
This means that, if they had at least one Filipino parent when they were born, Filipino-born people who became citizens of Canada before 1973 may petition to keep or recover their Filipino citizenship.
Individuals born in Canada with at least one Filipino parent at the time of their birth are immediately recognized as dual nationals of the Philippines and Canada.
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, it is illegal to recognize dual citizenship.
Thus, in a manner akin to that of China, Afghan government authorities have the authority to refuse access to Canadian consular services to any Canadian citizen visiting Afghanistan if they conclude that the person is also an Afghan citizen. The lack of acknowledgment may impact the availability of support and assistance from Canadian authorities while the individual is in Afghanistan.
Nigeria
Immigrants from Nigeria who obtain Canadian citizenship can maintain dual citizenship, allowing them to hold both Canadian and Nigerian nationality simultaneously.
Nonetheless, Canadian nationals are not allowed to become naturalized citizens of Nigeria by the Nigerian government. This implies that Canadian citizens cannot become naturalized Nigerian nationals, even though Nigerian-born Canadians can keep their Nigerian citizenship in addition to their Canadian citizenship.
Pakistan
Despite having a dual citizenship agreement with Canada, Pakistan does not recognize two citizenships.
This implies that although citizens of Canada may apply for citizenship in Pakistan, those who were born in Pakistan and wish to become citizens of Canada must first relinquish their Pakistani citizenship. As a result, although the agreement makes certain contacts between the two nations easier, it prohibits the dual citizenship of Canada and Pakistan.
Cameroon
Cameroon does not legally recognize dual citizenship with Canada. Thus, in a manner akin to that of China and Afghanistan, Cameroonian government authorities have the authority to refuse access to Canadian consular services to any Canadian citizen who is traveling overseas on the grounds that they are also Cameroonian citizens. This may affect the person’s access to help and assistance from Canadian authorities while they are in Cameroon or in other countries where their citizenship is recognized.
Iran
Since Iran does not officially recognize dual nationality, anyone who immigrates from Iran and later obtains Canadian citizenship cannot hold dual citizenship.
Due to this lack of acknowledgement, Iranian authorities may deny access to Canadian consular services to a traveler from Canada if they believe that person to be an Iranian citizen as well. The Canadian government recommends dual citizens of Canada and Iran to enter and exit Iran using their Iranian passports in order to reduce this danger.
The Canadian government warns its citizens visiting Iran that Iranian authorities may not allow them to leave the country unless they meet specific requirements.
Eritrea
Eritrea does not recognize dual citizenship by law.
Therefore, if Eritrean authorities determine that Canadian visitors are also Eritrean nationals, they may refuse them access to Canadian consular services, similar to the situation in several other countries on this list. This may have an impact on the availability of aid and support from Canadian authorities when visiting or living in Eritrea.