How to Get a Second Citizenship and Passport

Sunday, October 9, 2011

by JadeDragon on July 14, 2011

Learn how to acquire, or uncover a second citizenship

(This article is copyrighted by its original author JadeDragon. Short excerpts with links are welcomed, but please do not repost the article itself. Thanks.)

Computer for ResearchCreativityLots of TimeThere are a number of paths to gaining a second citizenship and the passport to prove it including:-Immigration to another country-Proving decent and claiming citizenship through your parents or grandparents-Economic citizenship through investment-Acquiring citizenship through your spouse, child or other close relative.-proving a preexisting second citizenshipImmigration to another country will be time consuming (3 years or more). Many countries do not allow immigration or make it extremely difficult (for example China and Japan essentially do not allow immigration).It is possible to immigrate to some very attractive first world countries such as Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.  Carefully research the types of immigration available to you and your family for each target country. The USA uses a lottery system and other methods to select immigrants. Canada has a point system. Canada also allows provinces to nominate investors, business people, and technical persons for immigration. Each immigration friendly country has specific programs so check each program out carefully.Proving citizenship through your parents or grandparents may work well if they immigrated from somewhere else. A number of countries recognize descendants of current or former citizens as either current citizens or potential citizens. Ireland for example, has welcomed many people with an Irish parent to take up citizenship. Italy also gives special consideration to descendants of its citizens, especially since so many left following WWII.The proliferation of new countries in the former Soviet Union and the Balkans, and changes to regimes in other countries contributes to the possibility that you might be able to claim a second citizenship in a country that may not have even existed when your parents moved.It might also be possible to have your parent or grandparent claim a second citizenship, then claim that citizenship through them. Think several levels deep if this applies to you.A number of (typically small) countries offer citizenship through investment. Sometimes this is through buying real estate, sometimes through investing in a government sponsored fund, other times it might be placing cash in a bank for a period of time.  Nevis and St Kitts is one, Panama is another that offers a fast tracked economic citizenship.  Many countries offer Permanent Residence status that can lead to citizenship in exchange for a large investment, including Canada, Malaysia and others.There are many brokers and web based business fronts offering access to “secret information” on these economic immigration programs. Be very careful selecting someone to help you. It will be best to do your own research and then hire a reputable law firm in the target country to help you.Consider all the citizenships in your immediate family. An American spouse can sponsor you into the USA or another country (some people even fake marriages to do this, but that is not wise). Could your child born while you lived in Canada help you become a Canadian? Have you adopted a child from abroad?  Would marrying your long time partner give you access to another citizenship?  Each person’s options are going to be unique, so consider what family ties you have.Maybe you already have a second citizenship and don’t realize it.  Were you born in a second country different from where you live? Did you acquire a citizenship by marriage?  Does a parent have a second citizenship that you inherited? You might already have a second citizenship and all you need to do is apply at the appropriate embassy or consulate for your second passport with the required supporting documentation.Each country makes their own rules for who is a citizen.  These rules change from time to time.  For example, Canada changed its citizenship laws in 2009 with the effect that several hundred thousand people became Canadians overnight.

Hopefully this article has given you some ideas on where to start looking for a second citizenship.  Good luck as you explore your citizenship options.

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