Dual Citizenship

Dual or multiple citizenship applies when two or more countries recognize a person as their citizen. Canadian Citizens have been allowed to obtain or maintain foreign citizenship while keeping their Canadian Citizenship since February 15, 1977. Under the present Citizenship Act, a Canadian citizen will retain their citizenship even if they are granted citizenship in another country. The individual will only loose their Canadian citizenship if an application to voluntary renounce it is submitted and the request approved by a Citizenship judge.

Rights and Obligations are conferred by each country where a person holds citizenship. In general, laws of the country wherein a person is currently present and holds citizenship takes precedence over the laws of any other country where the individual may also hold citizenship. International treaties may, allow exception to this rule.

Not all countries offer or accept dual/multiple citizenships. Each country has discretionary authority as who it considers to be a citizen. For individuals who wish to maintain citizenship in their country of origin, they must verify with the Embassy of their country regarding the rules of citizenship. This should be done prior to applying for Canadian Citizenship. Certain countries automatically sever citizenship rights to persons who have been granted citizenship in another country, even if the other country accepts dual citizenship. Many countries do not recognize an individual's new citizenship. Generally the citizenship law that would apply to an individual's case would be the law that were in effect on the date of obtaining (birth, marriage, parents's birth or marriage, naturalization est.)

An important note is there does not exist an "Application for Dual citizenship" in addition, there does not exist a "Certificate" issued confirming that you hold dual citizenship. Dual citizenship occurs because citizenship can be obtained in several different ways, through country of birth or naturalization; or through parents, grandparents or, in certain cases, marriage. Certain countries grant citizenship to person, even if they have not applied for it. Canada, for example, automatically grants citizenship to children born outside of Canada to Canadian parents. These children may also be granted citizenship from their country of birth resulting in dual citizenship without their having to petition for it.

Determination of citizenship status can be a difficult and lengthy process. Before the changes to the Citizenship Act in February 15, 1977, Canadian law limited dual citizenship.

Citizenship of one than country

Verification of becoming dual citizen begins by contacting the officials of each country in question. The individual must provide personal information, such as place and date of birth, citizenship of parents, immigration details, etc. If the information is not sufficient then further information in regard to parents, as well as Spouse and grandparents may have to be provided.

Residents of Canada who to verify if they are a citizen of another country, must contact the embassy or consulate of that country. If the country in question does not have a representative office in Canada, the Protocol Service of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will direct you to its nearest office.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Dual Citizenship
For many individuals dual citizenship offers practical advantages, such as social security or employment.

Canadian Citizens who have legal or similar difficulties outside the country can contact the Canadian diplomatic and consular representatives in that country for assistance although if the Canadian Citizen in difficulty is also a citizen of that country, the Canadian officials may be unable to help. The country wherein the difficulty is taking place will decide the outcome of the situation as it involves one of its own citizens, and probably will most likely not welcome "outside interference". Travelling with a Canadian passport and another country's passport simultaneously might also lead to certain difficulties in a third country.

Many countries have laws wherein a foreign traveller is exempt from but a citizen of that country must abide by the laws of that country. An example would be; restrictions on exiting, compulsory military service, special taxes or financial compensation for services received in the past, including educational costs.

Dual Citizens may be approached with demands to fulfill obligations to the country of which they hold citizenship mostly during political upheavals or military conflicts.

Immigration Canada suggests that you verify the 5 points below prior to rendering a decision in regard to dual citizenship

1. Verify the citizenship laws where you hold your present Citizenship as well as the country where you wish to apply to.
2. Before applying for Canadian citizenship, find out if you can retain your present citizenship, and if this might cause problems for you or others.
3. Find out if you can renounce the citizenship that you do not wish to retain, and whether renouncing that citizenship will remove the possible hazards. Citizenship cannot be renounced merely by making a personal declaration to this effect. You need to apply to the appropriate authorities of the country concerned and obtain formal approval. Canadians can renounce their citizenship through any Canadian Embassy or Consulate abroad. It is important to note that once you renounce a citizenship, you are unable to travel using the passport of that county or benefit from any assistants that would be provided for by this country.
4. Verify the procedures needed re-apply for citizenship if you believe that you may one day wish to re-attain it. The Canadian Government for example does not allow a person to return to Canada as a citizens, Once they have renounced their citizenship without them first going through the immigration procedures that any non-citizen would have to go through, even if they were once citizens.