Global Residence & Citizenship Handbook. Christian H. Kälin

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

      ²⁸ See the chapter by Professor Weil for further information on this

      ²⁹ Ireland for example

      ³⁰ For an extensive overview see Bauman (2009) and henleyglobal.com

      ³¹ For an in-depth discussion of these three options see Part IV

      ³² For example Montenegro, Bulgaria, Cyprus and others

      ³³ Montenegro, 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

      ³⁴ Panama, under its retiree residence program

      ³⁵ Tonga and a couple of African countries

      ³⁶ For more information see the website of the Ministry of Interior of Iceland http://eng.innanrikisraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/english/citizenship/nr/27049)

      ³⁷ As happened in Costa Rica for many years

      ³⁸ The information is based on the author’s own interpretation of citizenship legislation in the relevant countries; for a definitive assessment of the legal situation and possible exemptions, it is necessary to seek legal advice from a specialist in the relevant country

      ³⁹ Persons may retain their former citizenship only if they apply to do so prior to taking out another citizenship (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) or if they become citizens under section 10(6) of the Citizenship Act. Otherwise, dual citizenship is generally not allowed and if another citizenship is acquired, Austrian citizenship is lost ex leg

      ⁴⁰ You may become a foreign citizen only if you apply to do so prior to acquiring another citizenship. Otherwise dual citizenship is generally not allowed, and if another citizenship is acquired the Egyptian citizenship is lost ex leg

      ⁴¹ Persons may retain their German citizenship only if they apply to do so prior to obtaining another citizenship (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung). Otherwise dual citizenship is generally not allowed, and if another citizenship is acquired voluntarily German citizenship is lost ex leg

      ⁴² According to Chapter 14, Annex J-Article 6* of 1951 Pakistani Nationality Law and the amendments 1952, 1972, 1973 and 2000 stated that holding dual citizenship was not permitted. But now the government of Pakistan, based on bilateral treaties signed by 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 States, the United Kingdom and others

      ⁴³ Spain has dual citizenship treaties with Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru. Spanish citizens residing in these countries do not lose their citizenship if they adopt that citizenship. For all other countries, Spanish citizenship is revoked upon the acquisition of foreign citizenship

      ⁴⁴ In the case of the Czech Republic two specific exceptions apply. Most importantly, in the case of restoration of Czech citizenship (while keeping the one possessed to date, for example US citizenship) when the citizenship of former Czechoslovakia was illegally taken away between 1948-1990 by the Communist regime; or without losing the Slovak one, thus becoming a dual citizen

      ⁴⁵ India has introduced “overseas citizenship”, which is very close to giving Indians the possibility to hold full dual citizenship. It is therefore possible for an Indian citizen to acquire a foreign citizenship, thereby losing full Indian citizenship but immediately acquiring “overseas citizenship.” As an “overseas citizen” you have the same rights as Indian citizen as before, including the right to own property etc. in India, except political rights

      ⁴⁶ In the South African Citizenship Act it is an offence for a South African citizen aged 18 years and older to enter or depart the Republic of South Africa using of the passport of another country; you can however obtain permission to travel on your foreign passport abroad

      ⁴⁷ In Saudi Arabia there are even criminal penalties for exercising another citizenship; regardless, many Saudi citizens hold dual citizenship, mainly from the United States