Nationality plays a crucial role in international travel, shaping visa requirements and personal identity. While some countries like India, Japan, and Singapore restrict individuals to a single citizenship, several countries across Asia and the Middle East allow dual citizenship. Here’s a guide to the countries in these regions that offer dual nationality, potentially unlocking broader opportunities for international travel.
Understanding dual citizenship and its benefits
Dual citizenship, also known as multiple citizenship, is a legal status that allows a person to hold citizenship in more than one country simultaneously. This legal status is determined by various factors, including birthright, ancestry, marriage, or investment.
For instance, a person born in Canada may hold Canadian citizenship along with citizenship from other countries that permit dual nationality, like Italy and the UK. This arrangement provides travellers with the advantage of holding multiple passports, opening doors to visa-free travel and access to essential services like healthcare and education.
Countries in Asia and the Middle East offering dual citizenship
Thailand
In Thailand, dual citizenship is attainable through naturalisation, investment, or marriage without individuals required to relinquish their existing citizenship. However, male dual nationals may be subject to conscription.
Bangladesh
People can retain Bangladeshi citizenship while holding passports from other countries that permit dual nationality. Citizenship can be obtained through investment, marriage, or naturalisation, granting them dual citizenship in Asia.
Pakistan
Dual citizenship is available to individuals holding citizenship from a specific list of 19 countries, including the UK, US, France, Italy, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Nationals of these countries can acquire Pakistani citizenship without renouncing their original passport.
Philippines
The Philippines allows dual nationality for native-born individuals and those of Filipino descent. Filipino-born individuals with foreign citizenship and those born to Filipino parents outside the country are eligible to apply for dual citizenship.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankans and citizens of other nations can obtain dual citizenship with a Sri Lankan passport. Individuals who have relinquished their Sri Lankan citizenship by acquiring another nationality or those seeking citizenship from abroad are eligible to apply for dual citizenship. Citizenship can be obtained through employment, property ownership, investment, or marriage to a Sri Lankan citizen.
Taiwan
Dual citizenship is recognised in Taiwan for native-born citizens, allowing them to hold dual citizenship without renouncing their Taiwanese nationality. Additionally, Taiwan offers a dual citizenship policy for people with exceptional talents. Foreign nationals who have resided in Taiwan for a minimum of five years and possess extraordinary skills in economics, education, science, technology, or the arts can retain their original citizenship while obtaining a Taiwanese passport.
South Korea
Dual citizenship is permitted in South Korea under specific circumstances. Children born outside of South Korea to South Korean parents are eligible for dual citizenship. Additionally, foreign nationals can obtain dual citizenship through marriage to a South Korean citizen or by demonstrating extraordinary skills and talents. Male dual citizens are required to choose one citizenship by the age of 18, but they can maintain dual citizenship after fulfilling their military service obligations.
Russia
Russians can hold multiple citizenships, but not all foreign nationals can get dual citizenship with a Russian passport. Russia has dual citizenship treaties with specific countries like Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, allowing citizens to hold dual citizenship in Russia. Foreign nationals can obtain Russian citizenship through marriage, with the possibility of maintaining their original citizenship.
Lebanon
Lebanon recognises dual citizenship, allowing Lebanese citizens to obtain another nationality without renouncing their Lebanese citizenship. Foreign nationals can get Lebanese citizenship through marriage, and if their country of origin permits dual nationality, they can retain both citizenships.
Israel
Israel has policies allowing dual citizenship, permitting Israelis to hold second citizenship without renouncing their Israeli nationality. Jewish individuals can claim Israeli citizenship through descent, while marriage to an Israeli citizen also facilitates dual nationality. However, non-Jewish individuals seeking Israeli citizenship through naturalisation may be required to renounce their original citizenship. Military service is mandatory for all Israeli citizens, including those with dual citizenship.
Iraq
Iraqi nationals can hold multiple citizenship without losing their Iraqi nationality. Similarly, foreign nationals can obtain Iraqi citizenship without renouncing their original nationality. Marriage and naturalisation are common pathways to acquiring Iraqi citizenship.
Syria
After residing in Syria for at least five years and fulfilling various requirements, like proficiency in Arabic, people can obtain dual citizenship in Syria. Besides naturalisations, marriage is another pathway to acquiring Syrian citizenship through dual nationality.
Turkey
Dual citizenship is permitted with a Turkish passport. Turkish nationals can acquire multiple citizenship without forgoing their Turkish passport, while foreign nationals can get Turkish citizenship through marriage or investment in Turkey’s economy or property market. Conscription is mandatory for men, but individuals obtaining Turkish dual citizenship at 22 years or older are exempt.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Emiratis were previously not allowed to hold dual citizenship, and until 2021, neither were foreign nationals. However, in 2021, the UAE government began granting dual citizenship to foreigners with specialised talents. Another exception allows individuals born in another country with an Emirati father to hold both citizenships.
Cambodia
Foreign nationals can acquire Cambodian dual citizenship through investment, naturalisation, descent or marriage. Similarly, Cambodians have the freedom to acquire multiple passports without renouncing their citizenship, making it one of the countries offering dual citizenship in Asia.
Jordan
Jordan recognises dual citizenship, permitting foreign nationals and Jordanians to hold multiple citizenships, including Jordanian nationality. Marriage and citizenship by investment are primary pathways for foreign nationals to get Jordanian citizenship, although naturalisation requires the renunciation of previous nationality.
Armenia
Armenia accepts dual citizenship, particularly for foreign nationals of Armenian heritage. Non-Armenian individuals can obtain citizenship through marriage or exceptional service, enabling them to enjoy dual citizenship. Armenian dual citizens, however, are not exempt from conscription, except for those who have served 12 months in another country’s military forces.
Georgia
While Georgia doesn’t have an official dual citizenship policy, the Georgian President has the authority to grant Georgian citizenship to individuals, effectively making them dual nationals. However, Georgian male dual citizens are subject to mandatory conscription.
Palestine
Palestine recognises dual citizenship, allowing its citizens to hold passports from other countries. However, it is difficult for foreign nationals to get Palestinian dual citizenship, even through marriage.
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(Feature image credit: Yeexin Richelle/Shutterstock)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which countries allow dual citizenship?
Over 140 countries worldwide allow dual citizenship, including the US, UK, Switzerland, and Sweden.
– Can I obtain dual citizenship if my country does not permit it?
No, if your country does not permit dual citizenship, obtaining another citizenship would require you to surrender your current one.
– What are the benefits of having dual citizenship?
The benefits of having dual citizenship include visa-free travel across borders and increased access to various rights and privileges in each country.
– Can I lose my dual citizenship?
The country granting citizenship can revoke it if you fail to adhere to their laws and regulations.
– How do I acquire dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship acquisition methods vary, including investment in the country or marriage to a citizen.
– Can I pass on my dual citizenship to my children?
Dual citizenship is not automatically inherited and depends on the birthplace and citizenship laws of the countries involved.