My question is - whats the difference between dual nationality and citizenship? Do you get the same benifts with both??

When I got mine last month, test was in the morning and swearing in ceremony was that afternoon, all done and dusted same day. That was in Kingston.

The only downside of dual citizenship is that the British Government will not offer any assistance if you fall foul of the law enforcement authorities in Canada. As I never had great expectations of the British government in the first place it was not a great worry.

As Canada is my home, and as I expect to be here until I turn my toes up, citizenship just seems obvious and natural.

Most financial benefits and responsibilities are based on residence, not citizenship.

Good Luck!

Why would you expect assistance if you break the law?

That's what I was hoping for.

Has anyone done their test in Toronto (Scarborough) recently?

Normally I wouldn't. However, there are some countries in the world where the law does not operate with due process as it does in both the UK and Canada. If I was an arbitrary victim of a foreign government where I had done nothing wrong I would like to think my government would help out.

It is not an issue with dual citizenship of the UK and Canada, but I just mentioned it for completeness.

Glad to hear your going to go back to Norn Iron as a Canadian citizen Wish I lived near you and I could look after your wee uns.

Aww that Alvic I'm glad they've processed the application so quickly it would have been a shame not to get my Citizenship before I leave.

Why? You're leaving.

Well as JAJ is fond of pointing out what if years from now my kids (both born here) decide to move to Canada at least if I have Citizenship I can come and go a lot easier.

Unless the law changes. It's already being discussed in Ottawa.

True, but I figured for the sake of $200 I may as well apply.

It was discussed (not all that seriously) in 2006 and nothing came of it. There was a previous "discussion" in 1993/94 with similar outcome.

There is no restriction on dual citizenship in the Citizenship Bill currently before Parliament.

And even if the Government did decide to "ban" dual citizenship (and could get legislation through both Houses of Parliament), it could only take effect from a future date and not affect those already dual citizens. Not, at least unless it is prepared to revoke the citizenship of millions of Canadians who happen to also hold a foreign citizenship, quite often one they are not aware of.

Suggesting otherwise is just scaremongering, really.

You left it in my "My Documents" folder it seems



One advantage of citizenship is if you are staying long term you dont have to keep renewing your PR card.

Also you can leave for an extended period and have no issues coming back

Thirdly you can vote

and Finally if you want to work in the states its a lot easier to go with a Nafta permit for a few years.

For $200 its a bargain insurance policy