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Field Listing ::
Citizenship
This entry provides information related to the acquisition and exercise of citizenship; it includes four subfields:
citizenship by birth describes the acquisition of citizenship based on place of birth, known as Jus soli, regardless of the citizenship of parents.
citizenship by descent only describes the acquisition of citizenship based on the principle of Jus sanguinis, or by descent, where at least one parent is a citizen of the state and being born within the territorial limits of the state is not required. The majority of countries adhere to this practice. In some cases, citizenship is conferred through the father or mother exclusively.
dual citizenship recognized indicates whether a state permits a citizen to simultaneously hold citizenship in another state. Many states do not permit dual citizenship and the voluntary acquisition of citizenship in another country is grounds for revocation of citizenship. Holding dual citizenship makes an individual legally obligated to more than one state and can negate the normal consular protections afforded to citizens outside their original country of citizenship.
residency requirement for naturalization lists the length of time an applicant is required to live in a state before applying for naturalization. In most countries citizenship can be acquired through the legal process of naturalization. The requirements for naturalization vary by state but generally include no criminal record, good health, economic wherewithal, and a period of authorized residency in the state. This time period can vary enormously among states and is often used to make the acquisition of citizenship difficult or impossible.
citizenship by birth describes the acquisition of citizenship based on place of birth, known as Jus soli, regardless of the citizenship of parents.
citizenship by descent only describes the acquisition of citizenship based on the principle of Jus sanguinis, or by descent, where at least one parent is a citizen of the state and being born within the territorial limits of the state is not required. The majority of countries adhere to this practice. In some cases, citizenship is conferred through the father or mother exclusively.
dual citizenship recognized indicates whether a state permits a citizen to simultaneously hold citizenship in another state. Many states do not permit dual citizenship and the voluntary acquisition of citizenship in another country is grounds for revocation of citizenship. Holding dual citizenship makes an individual legally obligated to more than one state and can negate the normal consular protections afforded to citizens outside their original country of citizenship.
residency requirement for naturalization lists the length of time an applicant is required to live in a state before applying for naturalization. In most countries citizenship can be acquired through the legal process of naturalization. The requirements for naturalization vary by state but generally include no criminal record, good health, economic wherewithal, and a period of authorized residency in the state. This time period can vary enormously among states and is often used to make the acquisition of citizenship difficult or impossible.
| Country | Citizenship |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must have been born in - and continuously lived in - Afghanistan
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Albania |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Albania
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Algeria |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the mother must be a citizen of Algeria
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| American Samoa |
see United States
|
| Andorra |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the mother must be an Andorran citizen or the father must have been born in Andorra and both parents maintain permanent residence in Andorra
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
25 years
|
| Angola |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Angola
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Anguilla |
see United Kingdom
|
| Antigua and Barbuda |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Argentina |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
2 years
|
| Armenia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 years
|
| Aruba |
see the Netherlands
|
| Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
see Australia
|
| Australia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 years
|
| Austria |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Austria
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Azerbaijan |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Bahamas, The |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
6-9 years
|
| Bahrain |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Bahrain
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
25 years; 15 years for Arab nationals
|
| Bangladesh |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Bangladesh
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, but limited to select countries
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Barbados |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Belarus |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Belarus
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Belgium |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Belgium
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Belize |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Benin |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Bermuda |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Bhutan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Bhutan
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Bolivia |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 years
|
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, provided there is a bilateral agreement with the other state
residency requirement for naturalization:
8 years
|
| Botswana |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Brazil |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 years
|
| British Virgin Islands |
see United Kingdom
|
| Brunei |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Brunei
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
12 years
|
| Bulgaria |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Bulgaria
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Burkina Faso |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Burkina Faso
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Burma |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
both parents must be citizens of Burma
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
none
note: an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen |
| Burundi |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Burundi
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Cabo Verde |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cabo Verde
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Cambodia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cambodia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Cameroon |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Canada |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada
|
| Cayman Islands |
see United Kingdom
|
| Central African Republic |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
least one parent must be a citizen of the Central African Republic
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
35 years
|
| Chad |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
both parents must be citizens of Chad
dual citizenship recognized:
Chadian law does not address dual citizenship
residency requirement for naturalization:
15 years
|
| Chile |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| China |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
least one parent must be a citizen of China
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
while naturalization is theoretically possible, in practical terms it is extremely difficult; residency is required but not specified
|
| Christmas Island |
see Australia
|
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
see Australia
|
| Colombia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Colombia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Comoros |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Congo, Republic of the |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Republic of the Congo
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Coral Sea Islands |
see Australia
|
| Costa Rica |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Cote d'Ivoire |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cote d'Ivoire
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Croatia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Croatia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Cuba |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
unknown
|
| Curacao |
see the Netherlands
|
| Cyprus |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cyprus
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Czechia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Czechia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Denmark |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Denmark
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Djibouti |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the mother must be a citizen of Djibouti
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Dominica |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Dominican Republic |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
2 years
|
| Ecuador |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 years
|
| Egypt |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
if the father was born in Egypt
dual citizenship recognized:
only with prior permission from the government
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| El Salvador |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Equatorial Guinea |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Eritrea |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Eritrea
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
20 years
|
| Estonia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Eswatini |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
both parents must be citizens of Eswatini
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Ethiopia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Ethiopia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 years
|
| Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) |
see United Kingdom
|
| Faroe Islands |
see Denmark
|
| Fiji |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application
|
| Finland |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Finland
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
6 years
|
| France |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of France
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| French Polynesia |
see France
|
| French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
see France
|
| Gabon |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Gabon
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Gambia, The |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Georgia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Georgia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Germany |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a German citizen or a resident alien who has lived in Germany at least 8 years
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, but requires prior permission from government
residency requirement for naturalization:
8 years
|
| Ghana |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Gibraltar |
see United Kingdom
|
| Greece |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Greece
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Greenland |
see Denmark
|
| Grenada |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state
|
| Guam |
see United States
|
| Guatemala |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years with no absences of six consecutive months or longer or absences totaling more than a year
|
| Guernsey |
see United Kingdom
|
| Guinea |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Guinea
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
na
|
| Guinea-Bissau |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Guyana |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
na
|
| Haiti |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Haiti
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Holy See (Vatican City) |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
no
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
not applicable
note: in the Holy See, citizenship is acquired by law, ex iure, or by adminstrative decision; in the first instance, citizenship is a function of holding office within the Holy See as in the case of cardinals resident in Vatican City or diplomats of the Holy See; in the second instance, citizenship may be requested in a limited set of circumstances for those who reside within Vatican City under papal authorization, as a function of their office or service, or as the spouses and children of current citizens; citizenship is lost once an individual no longer permanently resides in Vatican City, normally reverting to the citizenship previously held |
| Honduras |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
1 to 3 years
|
| Hong Kong |
see China
|
| Hungary |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Hungary
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
8 years
|
| Iceland |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Iceland
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 to 7 years
|
| India |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of India
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Indonesia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Indonesia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 continuous years
|
| Iran |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Iran
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Iraq |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Iraq
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Ireland |
citizenship by birth:
no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 of the previous 8 years
|
| Isle of Man |
see United Kingdom
|
| Israel |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Israel
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, but naturalized citizens are not allowed to maintain dual citizenship
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 out of the 5 years preceding the application for naturalization
note: Israeli law (Law of Return, 5 July 1950) provides for the granting of citizenship to any Jew - defined as a person being born to a Jewish mother or having converted to Judaism while renouncing any other religion - who immigrates to and expresses a desire to settle in Israel on the basis of the Right of aliyah; the 1970 amendment of this act extended the right to family members including the spouse of a Jew, any child or grandchild, and the spouses of children and grandchildren |
| Italy |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Italy
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 years for EU nationals, 5 years for refugees and specified exceptions, 10 years for all others
|
| Jamaica |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 out of the previous 5 years
|
| Japan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Jersey |
see United Kingdom
|
| Jordan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Jordan
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
15 years
|
| Kazakhstan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kazakhstan
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Kenya |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 out of the previous 7 years
|
| Kiribati |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Kiribati
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Korea, North |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of North Korea
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
unknown
|
| Korea, South |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of South Korea
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Kosovo |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kosovo
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Kuwait |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kuwait
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
not specified
|
| Kyrgyzstan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, but only if a mutual treaty on dual citizenship is in force
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Laos |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Latvia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Lebanon |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Lebanon
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
unknown
|
| Lesotho |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Liberia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Liberia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
2 years
|
| Libya |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Libya
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
varies from 3 to 5 years
|
| Liechtenstein |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Lithuania |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Lithuania
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Luxembourg |
citizenship by birth:
limited to situations where the parents are either unknown, stateless, or when the nationality law of the parents' state of origin does not permit acquisition of citizenship by descent when the birth occurs outside of national territory
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Luxembourg
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Macau |
see China
|
| Macedonia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Macedonia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
8 years
|
| Madagascar |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Madagascar; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
unknown
|
| Malawi |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Malawi
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Malaysia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Malaysia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 out 12 years preceding application
|
| Maldives |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Maldives
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
unknown
|
| Mali |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Mali
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Malta |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Marshall Islands |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Mauritania |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Mauritius |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months
|
| Mexico |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
not specified
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Micronesia, Federated States of |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Midway Islands |
see United States
|
| Moldova |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Moldova
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Monaco |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Monaco; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen and father unknown
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Mongolia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Montenegro |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Montenegro
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Montserrat |
see United Kingdom
|
| Morocco |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Morocco; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Mozambique |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Mozambique
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Namibia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Namibia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Nepal |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
15 years
|
| Netherlands |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Netherlands
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| New Caledonia |
see France
|
| New Zealand |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of New Zealand
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 years
|
| Nicaragua |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 years
|
| Niger |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Niger
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
unknown
|
| Nigeria |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Nigeria
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
15 years
|
| Norfolk Island |
see Australia
|
| Northern Mariana Islands |
see United States
|
| Norway |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Norway
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Oman |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Oman
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
unknown
|
| Pakistan |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Pakistan
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, but limited to select countries
residency requirement for naturalization:
4 out of the previous 7 years and including the 12 months preceding application
|
| Palau |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
note - no procedure for naturalization
|
| Panama |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Papua New Guinea |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Papua New Guinea
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
8 years
|
| Paraguay |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Paraguay
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 years
|
| Peru |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
2 years
|
| Philippines |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Pitcairn Islands |
see United Kingdom
|
| Poland |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
both parents must be citizens of Poland
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Portugal |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Portugal
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years; 6 years if from a Portuguese-speaking country
|
| Puerto Rico |
see United States
|
| Qatar |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Qatar
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
20 years; 15 years if an Arab national
|
| Romania |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Romania
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Russia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Russia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3-5 years
|
| Rwanda |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Saint Barthelemy |
see France
|
| Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha |
see United Kingdom
|
| Saint Kitts and Nevis |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
14 years
|
| Saint Lucia |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
8 years
|
| Saint Martin |
see France
|
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
see France
|
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Samoa |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| San Marino |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of San Marino
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
30 years
|
| Sao Tome and Principe |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Saudi Arabia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Saudi Arabia; a child born out of wedlock in Saudi Arabia to a Saudi mother and unknown father
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Senegal |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Senegal
dual citizenship recognized:
no, but Senegalese citizens do not automatically lose their citizenship if they acquire citizenship in another state
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Serbia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Serbia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3 years
|
| Seychelles |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Sierra Leone |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Singapore |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Sint Maarten |
see the Netherlands
|
| Slovakia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovakia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Slovenia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovenia; both parents if the child is born outside of Slovenia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, for select cases
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years, the last 5 of which have been continuous
|
| Solomon Islands |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Solomon Islands
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Somalia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Somalia
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| South Africa |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of South Africa
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, but requires prior permission of the government
residency requirement for naturalization:
1 year
|
| South Sudan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Spain |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Spain
dual citizenship recognized:
only with select Latin American countries
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years for persons with no ties to Spain
|
| Sri Lanka |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka
dual citizenship recognized:
no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Sudan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Sudan
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Suriname |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Suriname
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Svalbard |
see Norway
|
| Sweden |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Sweden; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Sweden and the father unknown
dual citizenship recognized:
no, unless the other citizenship was acquired involuntarily
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Switzerland |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Switzerland
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
12 years including at least 3 of the last 5 years prior to application
|
| Syria |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Syria; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen of Syria
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Taiwan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Taiwan
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, except that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Tajikistan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Tajikistan
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years or 3 years of continuous residence prior to application
|
| Tanzania |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Thailand |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Thailand
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Timor-Leste |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Timor-Leste
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Togo |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Tokelau |
see New Zealand
|
| Tonga |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Trinidad and Tobago |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
8 years
|
| Tunisia |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Tunisia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Turkey |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkey
dual citizenship recognized:
yes, but requires prior permission from the government
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Turkmenistan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkmenistan
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
7 years
|
| Turks and Caicos Islands |
see United Kingdom
|
| Tuvalu |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
na
|
| Uganda |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent or grandparent must be a native-born citizen of Uganda
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
an aggregate of 20 years and continuously for the last 2 years prior to applying for citizenship
|
| Ukraine |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Ukraine
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| United Arab Emirates |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
30 years
|
| United Kingdom |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of the United Kingdom
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| United States |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no, but the US government acknowledges such situtations exist; US citizens are not encouraged to seek dual citizenship since it limits protection by the US
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Uruguay |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
3-5 years
|
| Uzbekistan |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Uzbekistan
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Vanuatu |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Venezuela |
citizenship by birth:
yes
citizenship by descent only:
yes
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Vietnam |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of Vietnam
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|
| Virgin Islands |
see United States
|
| Wake Island |
see United States
|
| Wallis and Futuna |
see France
|
| Yemen |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Yemen; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
|
| Zambia |
citizenship by birth:
only if at least one parent is a citizen of Zambia
citizenship by descent only:
yes, if at least one parent was a citizen of Zambia
dual citizenship recognized:
yes
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years for those with an ancestor who was a citizen of Zambia, otherwise 10 years residency is required
|
| Zimbabwe |
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Zimbabwe; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
|