How to Get Double Citizenship
Double or dual citizenship means you are a citizen of two countries at the same time. It is normally not an easy status to achieve. Every country has its own requirements and laws for dual citizenship. Double citizenship is accomplished when a person becomes a legal citizen of one country while maintaining citizenship in the country of his birth.
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Instructions
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Obtaining Double Citizenship
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Do your research. Obtaining double citizenship does not happen automatically. Every country has its own guidelines regarding dual citizenship. It is best to contact the department of immigration or embassy for citizenship guidelines.
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There is a misconception that marrying a U.S. citizen automatically grants citizenship. Obtain citizenship in your secondary country through a Citizenship Investment Program. By making substantial investments into a foreign economy, you may be granted the reward of full citizenship rights. The required investment amount varies by country.
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Move to a foreign country. After residing in a foreign country for the length of time required for residency, you may be able to establish yourself as a citizen. The time requirements for residency are different in every country. You should contact an immigration specialist for requirements.
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Applying for foreign citizenship does not require you to renounce American citizenship. Obtain naturalization. All persons seeking dual citizenship in the United States must complete the naturalization process. Naturalization involves proving that you know and understand how the government works, as well as have a healthy knowledge of the country's history.
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Tips & Warnings
In some cases, double citizenship can occur automatically if a child of foreign parents is born in the United States. In this case, the child would have citizenship in the United States as well as the parents' home country. The same would apply to children of U.S. citizens who are born abroad.
Many people incorrectly believe that marrying a U.S. citizen will automatically confer citizenship on foreign nationals. In reality, marrying a U.S. citizen only helps them to obtain a green card and perhaps a more streamlined process to citizenship.
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