Will I lose my other citizenship if I become Canadian?
Canada allows dual citizenship, so Canada will not take your other citizenship away. Whether you keep it depends on your other country's law. A few questions find IRCC's rule for you, including what a dual citizen needs to travel to Canada.
Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 25, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.
What IRCC says, situation by situation
No, on what you answered: Canada allows dual citizenship, and so does your country
“Canada allows dual citizenship, but not every country allows this.”
“If you’re not sure, contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of your current country of citizenship.”
IRCC Help Centre: will I lose my other citizenship if I become a Canadian?
You may lose it: Canada allows dual citizenship, but your other country may not
“You may lose your current citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen.”
“Canada allows dual citizenship, but not every country allows this.”
“If you’re not sure, contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of your current country of citizenship.”
IRCC Help Centre: will I lose my other citizenship if I become a Canadian?
It depends on your other country's law: ask its embassy or consulate
“If you’re not sure, contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of your current country of citizenship.”
“Canada allows dual citizenship, but not every country allows this.”
“You may lose your current citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen.”
IRCC Help Centre: will I lose my other citizenship if I become a Canadian?
A valid U.S. or Canadian passport works for Canadian-American dual citizens
“To fly to Canada, you need ... either your valid U.S. passport or your valid Canadian passport”
“If you travel with just your valid U.S. passport, you ... will need to carry identification that shows your Canadian citizenship ... may be asked to go through immigration screening”
IRCC: dual Canadian citizens and the Canadian passport
Yes: to fly to Canada you need a valid Canadian passport
“Dual Canadian citizens can no longer travel to or transit through Canada by air with a non-Canadian passport. You need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight.”
“If your country or territory needs you to enter and exit that country or territory using a passport issued by its government, you will still need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada. Make sure to carry both passports when you travel.”
“You may have the option to board your flight if you qualify for a special authorization. Otherwise, you will have to reschedule your flight and get a valid Canadian passport.”
“You can apply for a special authorization if you: ... have not been issued a Canadian passport that is valid on the day of your travel ... have a flight to Canada that leaves in less than 10 days ... have a valid passport from a visa-exempt country or territory ... are not a Canadian-American dual citizen”
IRCC: dual Canadian citizens and the Canadian passport
Not by land or sea: another identification document can be used
“Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada by air. If you’re travelling by land or sea, you can use another identification document .”
What would change the answer
- Your other country's law on holding two citizenships.
- Travelling by air, or by land or sea.
What you might not have asked yet
- Getting ready to apply for citizenship? Find out which language proof counts
- Until then, can you keep your PR status while you travel?
- If your other country requires it, could you later give up Canadian citizenship? IRCC's renunciation rules
Sources
- IRCC › canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who · page dated April 21, 2026
- IRCC › visit-canada/dual-canadian-citizens-visit-canada · page dated August 11, 2026
- IRCC › visit-canada/entry-requirements-country · page dated July 31, 2026
Other answers
- Am I eligible for an Express Entry program?
- As a caregiver, can I change jobs, move, or apply for PR?
- As an asylum claimant, can I get a work or study permit?
- Can a positive LMIA be changed?
- Can I apply for a study permit from inside Canada (or for my child)?
- Can I apply for a work permit from inside Canada?
- Can I apply for a work permit when I arrive at the border?
- Can I change employers on my work permit?
- Can I change the sex or gender identifier on my IRCC documents?
- Can I come to Canada as a business visitor, without a work permit?
- Can I come to Canada with a criminal record?
- Can I get a bridging open work permit?
- Can I get a post-graduation work permit, and can I work while I wait?
- Can I get an immigration loan, and how do I repay it?
- Can I get two-week work permit processing?
- Can I immigrate as a self-employed person or start-up founder?
- Can I include or sponsor my child, and up to what age?
- Can I keep my permanent resident status, and travel without a PR card?
- Can I keep working while my work permit extension is processed?
- Can I leave Canada and come back on my permit or status?
- Can I sponsor a refugee?
- Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?
- Can I stay in Canada as a visitor, and for longer than I was given?
- Can I take a short course in Canada without a study permit?
- Can I take free government-funded language classes?
- Can I take part in International Experience Canada (again)?
- Can I work while I study in Canada?
- Can my family come with me while I work or study in Canada?
- Can my spouse or partner work in Canada?
- Could a health condition make me inadmissible to Canada (excessive demand)?
- Do I need a language test, and which one counts?
- Do I need a representative, and who may help me?
- Do I need a visa or an eTA to come to Canada?
- Do I need an immigration medical exam?
- Do I need police certificates?
- Do I need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo), or give them again?
- Does my credential assessment (ECA) let me work in my profession?
- Does the employer have to invite Job Match candidates?
- Does the low-wage cap apply to this employer?
- Does this LMIA job ad meet ESDC's advertising rules?
- My application was refused: can I still do something about it?
- My employer is treating me unfairly: can I get help and keep my status?
Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.