Are you a ‘citizenship by descent’ candidate?

Are you one of the many who could unlock doors around the world through your family tree?

Millions are unaware that their family history might hold the key to dual citizenship, a legacy passed down through generations that can open pathways to educational, work, and living opportunities across the globe.

Citizenship by descent, a bridge connecting present and past generations, offers a unique pathway for millions to reclaim their ancestral roots. Unlike citizenship by naturalisation, or marriage — which are often bound by strict residency requirements or procedural complexities — citizenship by descent is a birthright. You just have to claim it.

What is ‘Citizenship by Descent’?

Citizenship by descent is a form of citizenship based on one’s ancestral roots rather than place of birth, marriage, or naturalisation. If you have a parent, grandparent, or sometimes even a great-grandparent who was a citizen of another country, you might be eligible to claim citizenship in that country yourself. The process is straightforward and generally only requires you to provide proof of your lineage, such as birth certificates or other official documents, to establish your familial connection.

This method of acquiring citizenship is particularly popular in the EU for the freedoms it provides.

EU passports are considered some of the most powerful and desirable in the world because, in addition to granting the right to live and work in all 28 member countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), they offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an average of 180 countries worldwide.

What’s surprising is the number of who are unaware that they may qualify. It’s estimated that more than half a billion people outside of Europe have some claim to European ancestry and therefore citizenship.

In most cases, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up your current nationality either: the acceptance of multiple citizenship has become the norm among developed countries, with more than 80% of countries in Europe and the Americas permitting individuals to hold dual or multiple nationalities simultaneously.

Countries that offer citizenship by descent

Globally,  more than 50 nations offer some kind of citizenship by ancestry options, each with distinct criteria, procedures, and varying degrees of complexity.

Europe

In Europe, it’s a well-established path, especially in countries with significant emigration histories like Ireland, Italy, and Germany.  Some EU countries even extend eligibility to descendants of great-grandparents or earlier, provided the lineage is thoroughly documented. This not only grants the right to live, work, and travel freely across the European Union but also offers substantial cultural and economic benefits.

North America

In contrast, countries like Canada and the United States enforce more restrictive policies, typically limiting citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad and at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth.

Middle East

The Middle East presents a different scenario where citizenship by descent is relatively rare due to strict nationality laws. Most countries in this region adhere to jus sanguinis principles based strictly on paternal lineage.

While few Middle Eastern countries offer flexible citizenship by descent paths like those found in European countries, recent reforms in the UAE mark a notable exception.

In January 2021, the UAE Government amended its ‘Citizenship and Passports Law’ to allow specific categories of foreigners, along with their spouses and children, to acquire Emirati nationality. This opens up several pathways to UAE citizenship, albeit through mechanisms other than ancestry. These include long-term residency, marriage, naturalisation, and investment.

Existing visa holders who have continuously lived in the UAE for 30 years can apply for citizenship, provided they meet other criteria such as basic Arabic proficiency, financial self-reliance, and a clean criminal record.

Another route is citizenship by exceptional merit, rewarding individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields.

Asia

Across Asia, there’s a fair amount of variability in approaches. Japan and South Korea, for instance, have stringent policies that confine citizenship to children born to national parents, often requiring that the parent’s nationality be established before the child’s birth. This reflects a more conservative stance on nationality, focusing tightly on bloodline and legal documentation, thereby limiting the scope for citizenship claims based on distant ancestry.

How to apply

The requirements may vary depending on the country where you’re applying for citizenship, but all will need you to be able to provide documents that demonstrate your lineage. The following is an overview:

1. Verify eligibility: Before anything else, confirm that the country you are claiming citizenship from allows citizenship by descent and understand their specific criteria. Eligibility often depends on having a parent, grandparent, or sometimes even a great-grandparent who was a citizen of the country. Some nations may have limitations on how far back you can go in your family tree.
2. Gather necessary documents: You will then need to collect documents that prove your lineage to the ancestor from whom you are claiming citizenship. These commonly include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates. You might also need to provide proof of your ancestor’s nationality, such as their passport or national identity card.
3. Legal translations and apostilles: If your documents aren’t in the official language of the country you are applying to, you may need to get them professionally translated, and then legalised for international use, which can be done through an apostille certification depending on the country.
4. Submit your application: Complete the citizenship application form provided by the country’s consulate/ immigration department or civil registry. Then submit your application along with all the required documents. Some countries allow or require online submissions, while others may need you to apply in person. In some countries, you might have to attend an interview where you’ll answer questions about your application and background.
5. Wait for approval: Processing times can vary widely depending on the country and the complexity of your application. During this period, keep track of your application’s status and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
6. Receive your citizenship: Upon approval, you may need to attend a ceremony or simply receive your new passport and other citizenship documents in the mail.

Read: Plan to take your UAE-based business global? These tax strategies will help

The writer is the director of Legal and Compliance at the Knightsbridge Group.