Dual Citizenship 2026: Countries That Don't Allow It (And What Happens If You Apply)

# Dual Citizenship 2026: Countries That Don't Allow It

Canada is one of the world's most welcoming countries for dual nationality — there is no limit on how many citizenships you can hold while Canadian, and you do not need to renounce anything to become Canadian. But the rule cuts both ways: about 30 countries strip your original nationality the moment you naturalize as Canadian. This guide lists them, explains the consequences, and covers the rare cases where you can keep both.

Canada has accepted dual citizenship since 1977. There is no:

• Cap on the number of nationalities
• Requirement to renounce another citizenship
• Obligation to report to Canadian authorities
• Penalty for holding many passports

A Canadian–American–British triple citizen, for example, is treated identically to a single-citizenship Canadian for all federal purposes.

The following countries either ban dual citizenship outright or revoke citizenship automatically when their citizens become naturalized elsewhere. The list below is not exhaustive — laws change frequently, so always confirm with your country's consulate before swearing the Canadian oath.

Asia

• China — automatic revocation
• India — automatic revocation; OCI card available as substitute
• Japan — automatic revocation; expected age cutoff at 22 (formerly), now adult
• Singapore — automatic revocation; some exceptions for adopted children
• Indonesia — automatic revocation; reacquisition possible after age 18
• Malaysia — automatic revocation
• Myanmar — automatic revocation
• Nepal — automatic revocation; NRN card available
• South Korea — restrictive; some exceptions for born-abroad citizens

Middle East

• Saudi Arabia — automatic revocation
• UAE — automatic revocation
• Bahrain — automatic revocation
• Kuwait — automatic revocation
• Oman — automatic revocation
• Qatar — automatic revocation

Africa

• Ethiopia — automatic revocation; "Yellow Card" provides residency rights
• Eritrea — restrictive
• Tanzania — restrictive

Former Soviet states

• Kazakhstan — automatic revocation
• Uzbekistan — automatic revocation
• Belarus — restrictive
• Others vary; recent changes in Russia and Ukraine allow dual in narrow cases

Europe (with caveats)

• Norway — historically banned, now allowed since 2020 with conditions
• Andorra — restrictive
• Estonia — natural-born citizens may keep, naturalized citizens lose

Most other countries permit dual nationality

Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany (since 2024), Italy, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Brazil, Philippines, South Africa, and many more all accept dual citizenship.

The moment you take the Oath of Citizenship in Canada:

• Your old passport is technically void in your country of origin's eyes
• Renewal applications at your old country's consulate may be refused
• Border re-entry to your former country may require a visa with your Canadian passport
• Property, banking, and inheritance rights may need to be restructured
• Voting rights in your old country are typically lost

Most countries do not actively police this, so dual nationals often go decades without incident — but problems surface at:

• Passport renewal
• Marriage registration
• Property transactions
• Tax declarations
• Immigration to a third country (where they ask "do you hold any other citizenships?")

Some countries that ban dual citizenship offer hybrid statuses for former citizens:

These are not full citizenship and cannot replace a passport for travel.

Before you swear the Canadian oath:

1. Visit the consulate website for your country of origin. Search "dual citizenship" or "loss of nationality".
2. Read the Citizenship Act of your country (most are translated to English).
3. Consult a lawyer in both Canada and your country of origin if substantial assets, family obligations, or military service are at stake.
4. Decide consciously whether the trade-off is worth it.

Some applicants prefer to formally renounce their original citizenship before naturalizing as Canadian. This is rare but provides legal certainty. Renunciation requires:

• Application to your country's consulate
• A fee (typically CA$200–800)
• Proof you have or will obtain another nationality (Canada usually accepts this)
• A waiting period (1–12 months)

Once renounced, the citizenship is gone — reacquisition can be slow or impossible.

If you took the Canadian oath and only later learned you lost your original citizenship, you cannot undo the oath. Options:

• Apply for the reduced status (OCI, NRN, etc.) where available
• Apply to reacquire original citizenship if your country allows it
• Live with the change and travel as Canadian

• [Dual Citizenship Canada — Complete Guide](/blog/dual-citizenship-canada-complete-guide)
• [Dual Citizenship Canada — Keep Other Passport](/blog/dual-citizenship-canada-keep-other-passport)
• [Dual Citizenship Canada — Rules](/blog/dual-citizenship-canada-rules)
• [Canadian Citizenship Eligibility Requirements](/blog/canadian-citizenship-eligibility-requirements)