For expats, a second passport from your new country can be really useful and open up more opportunities. In some countries it’s really easy to gain dual citizenship, in others it’s more complicated and in some it is impossible. Dual citizenship is when a person is recognised as a citizen in two countries. Having dual citizenship can provide an expat with extra security: easier access to investment opportunities; more employment options; voting rights; sometimes extra tax benefits. Unfortunately, not all countries allow dual citizenship. In some cases, the country you are living in may not accept dual citizenship. In other cases, it may be your home country that prevents you from holding dual citizenship. For a full list of where dual citizenship is and is not allowed, click here. For those who can apply for dual citizenship, here are some of the easiest and hardest countries to get a second passport in.
Vatican
The Vatican state is the smallest country in the world. Only 450 out of 800 people have vatican nationality in the world.The Vatican citizenship is impossible for ordinary people unless you are a cardinal or somebody employed in Vatican. Other forms of citizenship such as birth, descent do not exist.The Vatican City State law on citizenship, residence and access, which was promulgated on 22 February 2011, classifies citizens in three categories:
- Cardinals resident in Vatican City or in Rome;
- Diplomats of the Holy See;
- Persons residing in Vatican City because of their office or service.
Unlike most countries, Vatican citizenship only lasts as long as you meet those requirements. The retired Swiss Guard and cardinals transferred out of Rome don’t maintain their citizenship.The Vatican passport issued by the Holy See or Vatican City State. The Vatican City state can issue normal passports for its citizens, while Holy See issues personal,diplomatic and service passports.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein, a tiny, mountainous country between Austria and Switzerland, has a population of just under 40,000 — and the country's immigration policy appears to aim to keep it small.If you want to become a citizen, you need to live in Liechtenstein for at least 30 years, with each year before you turn 20 counting as two years. If you're married to a Liechtenstein citizen and already live in the country, that time period is shortened to five years of marriage.If you want a shortcut from the 30-year residency requirement, you can ask your community to vote you in after 10 years. Regardless of method, you'll have to give up your current citizenship.
Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan citizenship is difficult and quite hard. Bhutanese citizenship is only possible if both parents are Bhutanese nationals. Foreigners must live in Bhutan for atleast 15 years to naturalize as a citizen. Additional conditions include sound mind, no criminal record, knowledge of Dzongkha language proficiently.The small Buddhist nation of Bhutan, tucked between China and India.Dual citizenship is prohibited, and Bhutanese citizens who acquire foreign citizenship cease to be citizens of Bhutan. It is important to note that, the government may deprive naturalized Bhutanese citizens of their citizenship at any time if it finds that person has shown by act or speech to be disloyal in any manner whatsoever to the King, country or people of Bhutan
Qatar
If your father is not Qatari, then neither are you, even if your mother is, according to Doha News. If you have been a legal resident of Qatar for 25 years without leaving the country for more than two consecutive months (among other requirements), you can apply for citizenship.The Doha News reported that Qatar only naturalizes about 50 foreigners a year. Additionally, naturalized citizens are not treated the same way under the law as citizens born in Qatar, likely because the country provides very generous government benefits that would be costly to extend to all citizens.
United Arab Emirates
UAE is one of the wealthiest countries the world and the country has recently attracted significant foreign direct investment. 80% of the population foreigners and only 20% local emirati population. UAE citizenship possible to any person with Arabic proficiency who has settled in the United Arab Emirates legally for 30 years and has maintained a good reputation, fluency in Arabic and has not been convicted of crimes.Emirati nationality law governs the citizenship based Federal Law No.17 of 1972 concerning nationality and passports. It is primarily citizenship transmitted through blood.Citizenship by marriage to emiratis possible, if marriage lasts for at least 7 years with the condition of having at least one child, or 10 years in the absence of children. Right to vote is limited to citizens by descent . The Granting of Emirati Nationality is also possible by presidential decree to exceptional persons.
Kuwait
According to the Nationality Law of 1999, after living in Kuwait for 20 years (15 for citizens of other Arab countries), you can apply to be granted Kuwaiti citizenship, but only if you are Muslim by birth or conversion. If you converted, you must have been practicing for five years. You must also speak Arabic fluently.The Nationality Law also states that the wife of a Kuwaiti man can ask to become a citizen after being married for 15 years.
Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the most popular countries in the world, when it comes to citizenship. In recent years, the acquisition of swiss citizenship has become hard since tightening of rules.In general it takes 10 years of legal residence in Switzerland and also a permanent resident to become a swiss national. Integration to swiss culture, language and tradition is crucial as the applications are evaluated in three levels (Federal, cantonal and municipal)Swss citizenship under simplified or facilitated possible if you have been married to a Swiss citizen for three years and lived in Switzerland for a total of five years.No restrictions on multiple citizenships in Switzerland. The Swiss passport, one of the widely respected, powerful passport in the world. The passport is issued in Red color, contains 4 languages.
China
Foreigners naturalizing in the country with 1.4bn population is very rare. It is also one of the most difficult citizenship to obtain in the world. Majority of foreigners remain with permanent resident status without acquiring citizenship. This is because you either has to be a relative of chinese citizen or live as permanent resident for a long time.Dual citizenship further prohibited for chinese citizens. However, acquiring citizenship in via Hong Kong is one way to get Chinese nationality.
