Can I have dual citizenship when I move to Canada?
As an immigrant, do you consider yourself a member of Canada who is thinking about the possibility of having double citizenship? In this way, you would be able to maintain all the rights and privileges of the citizenship you initially possessed, together with Canadian citizenship, in the future. It could provide you with further freedom and, quite possibly, advantages when it comes to traveling, working, and availing services either in Canada or your country of origin. Which considerations do you commonly take when determining if you should obtain a second citizenship, and how does this decision affect your assimilation into Canadian society?
Understanding dual citizenship
Dual citizenship may be defined as the state that a person obtains when they have legal citizenship status in two different countries at the same time. This status formally entitles them to citizenship status in their home country as well as the benefits due to being a citizen of Canada. One has to also understand that when one is a dual citizen, he or she has to follow the laws and regulations of the country one is in currently, regardless of the other citizenship status.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of dual citizenship?
There are numerous reasons why Canadian immigrants may opt to maintain dual citizenship even after becoming Canadian citizens:
- Possessing two passports concurrently.
- Reserving access to the rights and programs that are available only to the citizens of both countries.
- Allowed movement between two countries that a person is a citizen of, occasionally being able to move to allied nations.
- They include being able to reach Canada’s privileged social services and also own properties in the two countries.
Nevertheless, there are some aspects that one should take into consideration to gain or obtain dual citizenship. For example, dual citizens may face complicated and multiple filings on taxes, which may lead to what is termed double taxation. However, conditions like the military draft in a particular state can in one way or another hamper the integration process of the immigrants to Canada.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
Policies for the Acquisition and Recognition of Dual Citizens
In the following, we’ll discuss regulations for several countries:
- India: Both permanent residents and citizens cannot hold dual citizenship after getting Canadian citizenship if they are originally from India. Indian law does not allow a person to possess or attain citizenship of any foreign country if he or she is a citizen of India. Instead, they may go for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration convenience option, which is available.
- United States of America (USA): The USA permits its citizens to hold the citizenship of another country, such as that of Canada; hence, they do not lose their American citizenship when attaining Canadian citizenship.
- China: China does not accept dual citizenship, and therefore this has implications for the person holding such a position. Chinese authorities may not allow the Canadian consulate to assist people who have Chinese nationality.
- Philippines: Like most Canadian countries, the Philippine government allows the immigrants of this country to hold dual citizenship, especially if the immigrants were born before 1973 and if their parents are also Filipinos.
- Afghanistan: Afghanistan does not consider dual citizenship at all. A Canadian citizen may be refused consular assistance by Afghan authorities under the premise that the people in question are Afghan citizens, seeking recognition as such.
- Nigeria: For Nigerian-born immigrants to become Canadian citizens, they are allowed to hold dual citizenship, while on the contrary, the holder of the Canadian citizenship cannot naturalize the Nigerian citizenship.
- Pakistan: In Pakistan, there is no provision for dual citizenship. Pakistani-born immigrants who take up Canadian citizenship have to abandon their Pakistani citizenship.
- Cameroon: It should also be noted that one cannot be a Canadian and a Cameroonian at the same time; at least, it is legally impossible. Cameroonian authorities may also deny Canadian consular services to those persons that they consider Cameroonians.
- Iran: It should also be noted that Iran does not recognize dual citizenship. Those Iranian-born individuals who acquire Canadian citizenship must use the Iranian passport each time they are visiting Iran.
- Eritrea: One must note that holding two passports is not allowed in Eritrea. Canadian consular services may not be provided to any person that Eritrean authorities consider an Eritrean national.
Familiarity with these regulations is important for the immigrants in Canada coming from these countries who wish to hold dual citizenship. The policies in each country can affect legal rights and obligations rather strongly.
What happens if you miss the citizenship test?
If you pass the test
Thus, 75% is the passing rate, and, to be specific, a candidate should get at least 15 out of 20 right answers.
Upon passing, we will perhaps schedule an interview with a citizenship officer as and when required on a case-by-case basis.
If you fail the test
You will be allowed to try the test up to three times if it is an online test, a Microsoft Teams test, or a physical test.
If you do not pass the test three times, you will be given a hearing with a citizenship officer where you will be asked verbal questions resembling the test.
It will go on if you have passed the hearing, and we will keep processing it.
It is not easy to grasp the policies relating to dual citizenship when an individual is planning to move to another country, for instance, Canada, but the following tips are important in easing such a process. It should be noted, however, that Canada recognizes dual citizenship; therefore, it is always wise to check on your country of origin’s policy on the issue. The assumption of dual citizenship has both advantages and disadvantages that cannot be erased, and the research should then be done properly. Therefore, when you are in a position to decide with regards to second citizenship, ensure that you have all the facts regarding your visa status and that you seek the service of a lawyer if necessary.
