Visas and Dual Nationality

A visa is a special kind of travel document. It is a permission to enter a country. All countries have requirements that must be met before foreigners are allowed to enter.

Your Canadian passport is issued by your own Canadian government; a visa is issued by the government of the country you are going to visit. A passport is only proof of citizenship.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

You should contact the Canadian representative in your own country to get information on visa and entry requirements to Canada. You can also visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

You must apply to the Office of the Official Representative (See: Foreign Representatives in Canada) of the country that you want to visit. You can visit or write to the country’s embassy, consulate, or trade mission here in Canada. The people working there will give or send you the necessary papers and tell you how much it will cost.

Ask your travel agent or look through your local telephone directory to find the address of the embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit.

Information about visa requirements can be found on the website of Foreign Affairs and International Trade – Visas.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

How long it will take will be different for each country. It is impossible to predict, so it is a very good idea to apply for a visa as soon as you find out that you will need one. That way, you can be sure to get it before you leave on your trip.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Yes, you do. A visa is given by the country you are going to, your passport is a Canadian document. Often a visa is put right into your passport, so that it becomes part of the same document. Then you can just show the one document when you enter a country and it makes things a bit simpler.

You must have your passport to apply for a visa, so make sure you apply for your passport first. Even if you already have a passport, be careful! Some countries will not give you a visa if your Canadian passport is due to expire within 6 months.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Yes. As a child of a person born in England you may be able to claim British citizenship. It will depend upon the current laws governing citizenship in Britain. Canada does permit dual nationality in respect of British citizens, so that you could hold a Canadian passport and a British passport.

If your parents have come from other countries, you can check the laws governing citizenship in the particular country to see if you can claim citizenship through your parents. You will also have to check whether Canada permits dual nationality with that country.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

There could be benefits for you now and in the future. Although Canadian passports are well-recognized and respected world-wide, sometimes it might be easier to travel on your British passport.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

It may be easier for you to travel and work in countries belonging to the European Union (EU) as well as some Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Yes, there can be. There are a few countries in the world that can be quite strict with their citizens about requirements like compulsory service in the military or paying taxes. If your parents fled such a country, it could cause problems for you if you travel there. You should look into the status of your parents with their homeland if you suspect there might be trouble. If you do have trouble when you arrive there, you should immediately contact the nearest Canadian mission for help.

Last Reviewed: August 2012