Naturalization

Naturalization is a legal process through which a non-citizen in a country may acquire citizenship or nationality of that country. It may be done by a statute, without any effort on the part of the individual, or it may involve an application and approval by legal authorities. The rules of naturalization vary from country to country and typically include a minimum legal residency requirement, and may specify other requirements such as knowledge of the national dominant language or culture. To counter multiple citizenship, most countries require that applicants for naturalization renounce any other citizenship that they currently hold, but whether this renunciation actually causes loss of original citizenship, as seen by the host country and by the original country, will depend on the laws of the countries involved.

Requirements

The immigration law in many countries requires that naturalized citizens renounce their previous citizenship. For many immigrants, this can be difficult or impossible, but some countries will allow dual citizenship after naturalization, and others do not enforce a requirement of renunciation of previous citizenship.

Process

The details of the naturalization process can vary from country to country. In general, it involves three steps: the immigrant applies for naturalization, the government processes the application, and if it is approved, the immigrant takes an oath of allegiance to the host country.

Benefits

Naturalization can offer many benefits, including the right to vote, protection from deportation, the ability to travel freely, and eligibility for government jobs. However, it also comes with responsibilities, such as the obligation to obey the laws of the country, to pay taxes, and to serve in the military if required.

See also

• Citizenship
• Immigration law
• Dual citizenship

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