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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.

Answer for your situation

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

No, on what you answered: Canada allows dual citizenship, and so does your country

In IRCC’s words:
“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?

Source: IRCC, page dated April 21, 2026
Yes, if your other country's law says so.

You may lose it: Canada allows dual citizenship, but your other country may not

In IRCC’s words:
“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?

Source: IRCC, page dated April 21, 2026
No, unless your other country's law says so.

It depends on your other country's law: ask its embassy or consulate

In IRCC’s words:
“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?

Source: IRCC, page dated April 21, 2026
No

A valid U.S. or Canadian passport works for Canadian-American dual citizens

In IRCC’s words:
“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

Source: IRCC, page dated August 11, 2026
Yes

Yes: to fly to Canada you need a valid Canadian passport

In IRCC’s words:
“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

Source: IRCC, page dated August 11, 2026
No

Not by land or sea: another identification document can be used

In IRCC’s words:
“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 .”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 31, 2026

What would change the answer

What you might not have asked yet

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Answer for your situation

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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.