Yes, Canada fully permits dual citizenship, allowing you to be a citizen of Canada and another country simultaneously, but your ability to have it depends on the laws of the other country, as some nations don't allow it and may even require you to give up their citizenship if you become Canadian. You don't apply for "dual citizenship" itself, but rather for Canadian citizenship, and you must use the correct passport (Canadian for Canada, other country's for that country) when traveling.
Dual citizenship and the UK
Most countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and Portugal, allow dual citizenship.
While there are many benefits to dual and multiple citizenship, some disadvantages may occur. In addition to possibly having a previous citizenship revoked, it is also possible to be caught between two countries' legalities, taxation, compulsory military service, and other seemingly unexpected problems.
Countries such as China, India, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia have strict laws prohibiting dual citizenship.
A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to their U.S. citizenship. U.S. dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country (or countries, if they are nationals of more than one).
Canadians with dual citizenship
Examples of ways you might have another citizenship(s): you were born in another country. you have a parent(s) who was born in, or is a citizen of, another country. you officially apply for citizenship of another country.
Many countries restrict or prohibit dual citizenship, including China, India, Japan, Singapore, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia, often requiring citizens to renounce other nationalities or face loss of citizenship, though rules vary, with some like Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands allowing it under specific conditions or for citizens from certain countries. Other nations with strict policies include Austria, Botswana, Kuwait, and Nepal, with consequences ranging from automatic revocation to legal penalties for non-compliance, notes CNN, Henley & Partners, Premium Citizen, Wikipedia, and Business Insider.
Quick Takeaways. Dual citizens must file taxes in both the U.S. (worldwide income) and Canada (residency-based). Use the U.S.–Canada tax treaty to avoid double taxation through credits and exemptions. Key forms include Form 1040, FBAR, and Form 8938 for the IRS; T1 and T1135 for the CRA.
Dual British citizens and UK border entry in 2026. The UK rules on dual nationality have not changed. British law continues to allow a person to hold British citizenship alongside one or more other nationalities, and there is no requirement to renounce a foreign citizenship when becoming British.
The hardest countries to get citizenship usually involve extremely strict, long residency rules, cultural/language tests, and rare approvals, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, and North Korea often cited due to their restrictive policies (e.g., 25+ years, Arabic/Islam requirements, near-impossible naturalization), while Japan, Switzerland, Bhutan, and Liechtenstein present challenges through extensive integration, multi-level approvals, or referendums. Vatican City is unique, requiring clergy roles.
The "28-year rule" in Canada refers to a past requirement under the Citizenship Act where second-generation Canadians (born abroad to Canadian parents who were themselves born abroad) automatically lost their citizenship on their 28th birthday unless they applied to retain it by demonstrating a substantial connection to Canada (like living in Canada for a year). This rule affected many "Lost Canadians," but recent legislation (like Bill C-3) introduced in 2024/2025 aims to eliminate this requirement and restore citizenship for many affected individuals, making citizenship by descent more permanent.
Knowing a customer's citizenship or dual citizenship can help banks assess risk, especially for international transactions.
Yes, dual citizens often have tax filing obligations in both countries, but you usually don't pay double the tax due to tax treaties and credits (like the Foreign Tax Credit), which prevent full double taxation by letting you subtract foreign taxes paid from your U.S. liability or exclude certain foreign income, though reporting is still required for worldwide income. The U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence, while other countries typically tax residents on their income.
Are British citizens eligible to move to Canada? There are a number of immigration programs that are available to British citizens looking to relocate to Canada. UK nationals can apply for work and study permits, and they are also welcome to apply for Canada's permanent residence programs.
According to UK law, you do not need to apply for dual citizenship explicitly. If you obtain a foreign passport, your British citizenship is unaffected. When navigating immigration rules, it's important to understand how your status might change when moving between countries.
Canada's new citizenship rules, effective December 15, 2025, under Bill C-3, significantly change citizenship by descent, removing the first-generation limit and restoring citizenship to many "Lost Canadians," allowing Canadian parents born abroad to pass citizenship to their children if they prove a substantial connection (3 years residency) to Canada, and retroactively granting citizenship to some born or adopted before this date.
As a Canadian citizen, if you apply for and are granted British citizenship, you will not lose your Canadian citizenship. You will have Canadian-British Dual Nationality. That means that you will hold the passports and nationality of both Canada and the UK and you will be free to stay in either country.
Having dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, means being a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time.
If you want to leave the UK for a long time
If you stay outside the UK for longer than this you lose your 'right to return' - this means you lose your settled status or your indefinite leave to remain. If you get British citizenship, you can leave the UK for as long as you want without losing your right to return.
Canada's 90% rule helps non-residents and recent immigrants claim full federal tax credits (like the Basic Personal Amount) if 90% or more of their net worldwide income for the relevant tax year is from Canadian sources; otherwise, credits are prorated (reduced) based on their Canadian residency period, ensuring fairness for those who weren't residents all year.
As a Canadian citizen, you can get a Canadian passport. You can travel abroad for as long as you like and you will not lose your citizenship status, unlike Permanent Residents (PR).
Generally, you should not enter and exit a country with different passports as it creates immigration discrepancies, but for dual citizens, the rule is to use the passport of the country you are entering/leaving for that specific border crossing (e.g., use your Italian passport to enter/leave Italy, your US passport to enter/leave the US). The key is always to show the passport of the country you are departing when you leave that country, and the passport of the country you are entering when you arrive, using both passports strategically for the smoothest travel.