Mr. worldwide: How many citizenships does Elon Musk have?
Elon Musk holds citizenship in three countries: South Africa, the United States, and Canada. However, Musk's Canadian citizenship, which has recently come under scrutiny, was inherited at birth due to his mother, Maye Musk, who was born in Regina, Saskatchewan.
According to Canadian law, Musk automatically gained Canadian citizenship by descent, as his mother was a Canadian citizen at the time of his birth in Pretoria, South Africa.
Under Canada’s current citizenship laws, children born outside the country can inherit Canadian citizenship from their parents, but only for one generation. This means that Canadian citizens who were born abroad can pass on their citizenship to their children, but that child cannot, in turn, pass it on to their own offspring if born outside of Canada.
Musk’s Path to US Citizenship
Musk became a US citizen through naturalization, although his route to the US was somewhat unconventional. Born in South Africa, Musk moved to Canada in 1989 at the age of 17 to attend Queen's University. After spending two years at Queen's, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, and eventually, he sought US citizenship.
In 2002, after moving to the United States, Musk obtained US citizenship through the naturalization process. Musk had lived and worked in the US for several years, initially entering the country on a student visa, followed by a work visa. Musk applied for US citizenship after gaining permanent residency, ultimately becoming a naturalized citizen.
Musk, now facing increasing controversy over his international ventures, has sparked new attention due to a petition demanding Canada revoke his citizenship. The petition, which was initiated by British Columbia-based author Qualia Reed and supported by NDP Member of Parliament Charlie Angus, argues that Musk’s activities and influence—particularly his involvement with foreign governments and his role in eroding Canadian sovereignty—warrant the loss of his citizenship. The petition has garnered over 340,000 signatures at the time of writing.
In response, Musk dismissed the petition in a now-deleted post on X (formerly known as Twitter), where he sarcastically claimed, “Canada is not a real country.” This comment drew further attention to Musk's controversial standing, especially regarding his high-profile status in both the US and international politics.
Can Canada Revoke Musk’s Citizenship?
While the petition and public outcry have created significant debate, legal experts point out that Canada cannot easily revoke citizenship unless it can be proven that it was acquired through fraud or misrepresentation. According to Canadian law, citizenship may only be revoked if it was obtained under fraudulent circumstances, such as providing false information when applying for it. This means the petition is unlikely to lead to Musk’s Canadian citizenship being revoked.
Canada's Citizenship Process and Recent Legal Developments
For those seeking Canadian citizenship, there are two main routes: citizenship by birth or citizenship by naturalization. Musk's case falls under the citizenship by descent category, as he inherited his citizenship through his mother.
However, under the second-generation cut-off rule, children born abroad to Canadian citizens can only pass on their citizenship to the next generation if the parent was born in Canada or was a naturalized citizen. This law is currently in flux following a court ruling in December 2023, which deemed the second-generation cut-off unconstitutional. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice gave the Canadian government until March 19, 2025 to amend the Citizenship Act to restore constitutional compliance.
In May 2024, the Canadian government unveiled Bill C-71, which would allow individuals born abroad to Canadian parents to claim citizenship by descent. The bill introduces the “substantial connection to Canada” test, which would require the parent to have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days prior to the birth or adoption of their child. This bill is still in its early stages, and its future remains uncertain, especially with political changes in Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation in early 2025.
Controversy and Legal Uncertainty
As the Bill C-71 moves through the legislative process, some questions remain. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice could potentially strike down the second-generation cut-off law altogether if the government fails to meet its deadline or the bill is not passed.
If this happens, the Citizenship Act could undergo major changes, including the potential removal of the second-generation citizenship by descent rule, allowing more children of Canadian citizens born abroad to claim Canadian citizenship.
While Musk's situation may not lead to any immediate legal changes, the public's attention on his Canadian citizenship has highlighted ongoing discussions about citizenship laws and their evolving interpretations. Legal experts say Musk's case and the petition calling for the revocation of his citizenship serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in citizenship issues, especially when influenced by global politics and high-profile figures.
In the coming months, it will be interesting to see how Canada addresses the future of citizenship by descent and whether these legal challenges will spark further reforms.