It is therefore crucial that citizenship is obtained based upon specific provisions in the law and clear, official procedures.
A related criterion is that the granting of citizenship and the passports issued in conjunction therewith have to be recognized by other countries. If full citizenship has been granted based on the legal provisions of a country, it will normally be recognized by other countries. However, if only non-citizens passports are granted, generally this is not a good option. One example is Panama where a (legal) non-citizens passport under the retiree residence program can be acquired.
Other important points to consider when intending to become a citizen of choice include the geographic location of the country, the official language, political and economic stability, the legal system, the banking and business environment, visa-free travel possibilities for passport holders of that country, the reputation of the country and the passport, and of course initial and future overall costs.
You will also need to consider restrictions on dual citizenship. Some countries do not allow you to hold any other citizenship besides theirs. About half of the world’s countries allow dual nationality, and the other half does not allow you to be a citizen of another country at the same time. Among those countries which do not allow dual nationality, various degrees of strictness can be observed, but often the acquisition of another citizenship without first obtaining a formal permission (which may or may not be obtainable) leads to the automatic loss of one’s current citizenship. Therefore, one needs to carefully check the legal situation in the home country with regard to dual citizenship, prior to taking any steps to acquire another citizenship.
The following is an overview of citizenship regulations in selected countries.45
Selected countries which allow dual citizenship
Source: KALIN (2014)
1 Generally not allowed; persons retain their former citizenship only if they apply for permission so prior to taking out another citizenship. Otherwise citizenship is generally lost ex lege; in Austria: additionally Austria allows dual citizenship if Austrian citizenship is acquired under § 10 (6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act
2 According to Chapter 14, Annex J-Article 6* of 1951 Pakistani Nationality Law and the amendments 1952,1972,1973 and 2000, holding dual citizenship was not permitted. But now the government of Pakistan recognizes and allows its citizens to also hold citizenships of 16 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others
3 Only under limited circumstances, cf. http://www.dualcitizenship.com/countries/lithuania.html; https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/travel-and-residence/consular-issues/citizenship-of-lithuania
On the other hand, countries which do not allow the acquisition of another citizenship include the following:
Selected countries which prohibit dual citizenship
Source: KALIN (2014)
20Wallerstein (1974) and Zolberg (1981)
21See Ong (1999)
22See for example Torpey (2000), Lloyd (2005), Joppke (2010), Hokema (2002)
23See The Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index (HVRI); www.henleyglobal.com/hrvi
24This can happen even to citizens of small and generally neutral countries, as Danish citizens experienced following the publication of Mohammed cartoons in the Jyllands-Posten newspaper in Denmark on 30 September 2005
25The Economist, 19 February 2013 “Tourist visas: You’re not welcome”
26For a good discussion of the differences between residence and citizenship statuses, see Joppke (2010)
27See Betten (1998) and Chapter 3 in this book
28See Ong (1999)
29For example in St. Kitts and Nevis
30Although some countries, such as the UK and New Zealand, have introduced limits to the passing on of citizenship infinitely through blood line if not also remaining a resident
31See Hokema (2002) and Hansen/Weil (2001) on multiple citizenship
32Some countries do not even allow you to give up your citizenship unless you have another one. For a good discussion of statelessness, see Stiller (2011)
33For example in China, Malaysia, the UAE and many other countries, there are minority groups which are resident there but are prevented from acquiring citizenship of the country they live in
34In some Swiss Cantons for example, you have to pass an “integration” test, which means that you may need to learn some Swiss history and other things deemed useful to qualify for the privilege of applying for Swiss citizenship. In some Asian countries, if you are not of a particular ethnic origin, your chances of ever being granted citizenship are close to zero. In most Muslim countries you need not apply if you are not Muslim
35Ireland for example
36For an extensive overview see Bauman (2009) and www.henleyglobal.com
37Henley & Partners constantly monitor and evaluate residence and citizenship programs around the world against a number of criteria
38For an in-depth discussion of these options see Part IV
39For example, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Grenada, Nauru, the Seychelles, most South American countries, and others
40Montenegro, for example, granted citizenship to the controversial former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on the basis of a mere promise to invest in the country
41Panama, under its retiree residence program
42Tonga and a couple of African countries
43For more information see the website of the Ministry of Interior of Iceland http://eng.innanrikisraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/english/citizenship/nr/27049
44As has been the case in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries for many years
45The information is based on the author’s
