The infographic below shows what documents you need and why ..read more

According to the World Bank Group, a billion people across the globe are unregistered, lacking any identity documents.  This is an enormously challenging problem for the individuals involved, their families, and their countries.  Those without identity documents could be considered stateless by governments as they lack proof of citizenship for any country.  This situation could result in expulsion from a country; rejection for government services such as credentials, education, and medical care; professional blocks to employment and business ownership; and personal obstacles to obtain ..read more

Change Happens:  Establish Your Rights While You Can Citizenship and immigration laws and the associated rights may evolve multiple times during your life.  These changes can have life changing, unanticipated consequences on your personal and/or professional goals if ignored or necessary actions postponed.  When it comes to citizenship and identity documents, it is imperative to pursue them until you have them in your hand.   I understand it can be just another boring, time consuming, administrative, and bureaucratic task.  But you can either mildly suffer through it now, or possibly pay fo ..read more

The Diaspora and You What is a Diaspora?  It is the dispersion of any people from their original homeland.  Diaspora status is primarily related to ancestry and territory, and only secondarily with citizenship.  Well known Diasporas include the Indian, Chinese, and Jewish Diasporas.   Diasporas are not clubs or associations.  There is no application or fee to join.  They are simply a group identifier for people of common ancestry and/or from the same homelands.  You are a member of a Diaspora if you are living in a country other than your original homeland.  For example, a person of Nige ..read more

If you are going through withdrawal from loss of your EU citizenship, and horrified by your new status in your favorite EU country as a third-country national, to quote Douglas Adams, “Don’t Panic!”   Brexit presents you with the opportunity to obtain dual citizenship by applying for citizenship in an EU member country and becoming an EU citizen again.   Citizenship for a Specific EU Country Each EU country has its own laws regarding the granting of citizenship.  Selecting the EU country whose citizenship you wish to acquire depends on why you want it and if you can qualify to obtain it ..read more

Current events continue to demonstrate the importance of clarifying your identity, especially in the context of citizenship, residence, and documentation.   1.       It can determine if you will be allowed to leave a country.  Non-Chinese passport holders are allowed to depart China to avoid the coronavirus. Chinese passport holders, even children, are not allowed to depart China.   2.       It can determine if you can stay where you are.  Brexit will affect the citizens of the European Union (EU) and the citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) who reside in a country that is not the coun ..read more

These are some tips derived from the real world case study.   Laws Change Dual citizenship, especially if it is the result of birth to a citizen, would appear to be a simple and straightforward status.  Be warned, appearances can be deceiving.  In reality, countries change their laws governing citizenship so the criteria for becoming or remaining a citizen of a given country are not permanent.  This in turn changes a person’s dual citizenship status, by either giving or taking a citizenship away.    Eligibility Criteria It is therefore extremely important to verify directly with the appr ..read more

You may find that a second citizenship will provide you with benefits and help you accomplish goals that would otherwise be unattainable or just that much more difficult to bring to fruition. Here are six common reasons to become dual nationals or change citizenship altogether.  Not all apply in every situation for every country.   1.  Financial options There are more, better, less restrictive financial opportunities when a citizen of a country instead of a foreigner. a.  Buying and selling real estate b.  Investing in local stocks and bonds c.  Opening a bank account while not residing ..read more

Little did I know at the start of this year and this blog that Harry and Meghan would provide a real world case study on moving your family to another country, modifying your identity, and living as a foreign national.   Read on to learn about the issues they will face.   Summary on the Travelling Sussexes In case you are one of the few people on the planet who not yet heard, Prince Harry and Meghan are leaving the royal firm, striking out on their own, moving abroad, and going to become financially independent.  This is not normal British Royal Family behaviour.   Situation It appears thei ..read more

This real world case study shows how dual citizenship can be established and how changes in law can significantly affect not just a person’s ability to obtain dual citizenship, but also to retain it.   I obtained my current proof of citizenship in each country by completely different processes and under completely different circumstances.  The table below provides a summary for quick comparison.   Country A I was a teenager when we first went to the embassy to officially document my citizenship.  Since I had not been registered as “born abroad” at birth, my parent spent a year obtaining a va ..read more