On the other hand, countries which do not allow the acquisition of another citizenship include the following:
Azerbaijan | Brunei |
Chile | China |
Czech Republic47 | Denmark |
Ecuador | Fiji |
India48 | Indonesia |
Japan | Kazakhstan |
Kenya | Kiribati |
Kuwait | Malaysia |
Mauritius | Myanmar |
Nepal | Norway |
Papua New Guinea | Peru |
Poland | Portugal |
Romania | South Africa49 |
Saudi Arabia50 | Singapore |
Solomon Islands | Spain51 |
Turkey | Ukraine |
Venezuela |
One of the most important criteria specific to citizenship is of course the overall reputation of the country and its passport. It is futile to obtain a second passport if the country has a poor reputation at a regional and international level, and therefore its passport is not well regarded and does not afford much visa-free travel or causes suspicion at international borders.
18 See for example Torpey (2000), Lloyd (2005), Joppke (2010), Hokema (2002)
19 See The Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index (HVRI) 2011; www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship/visa-restrictions/
20 This 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
21 The Economist, 19 February 2013 “Tourist visas: You’re not welcome”
22 For a good discussion of the differences between residence and citizenship statuses, see Joppke (2010)
23 See Betten (1998) and the chapter in this book by Professor Langer on relinquishment of US citizenship
24 As an example, the Maltese Permanent Residence Scheme has been abruptly suspended by the Government in 2010, and following a review of the program new, stricter conditions and higher taxes were imposed; for a general discussion see Joppke (2010)
25 For example in St. Kitts and Nevis
26 Although some countries, such as the UK and New Zealand, have introduced limits to the passing on of citizenship infinitely through blood line
27 See Hokema (2002) and Hansen/Weil (2001) on multiple citizenship
28 Some 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)
29 For 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
30 In 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
31 See the chapter by Professor Weil for further information on this
32 Ireland for example
33 For an extensive overview see Bauman (2009) and www.henleyglobal.com
34 For an in-depth discussion of these options see Part IV
35 For example Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Montenegro, Nauru, the Seychelles, most South American countries, and others
36 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
37 Panama, under its retiree residence program
38 Tonga and a couple of African countries
39 For more information see the website of the Ministry of Interior of Iceland http://eng.innanrikisraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/english/citizenship/nr/27049
40 As has been the case in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries for many years
41 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
42 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 lege
43 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 lege
44