It might come as a surprise to you that many countries offer dual citizenship rights to citizens of other countries. Well, citizens who reside in countries in Africa are not exempted. Yes, you can enjoy second citizenship packages to any country.
Well, no doubt, you want to know more about second citizenship options available to Africans. In this article, that’s what we’ll be dissecting.
This article will begin by exploring the common path Africans can take to get a second citizenship. Then, we’ll be looking at the benefits of having dual citizenship in these countries. After that, you’ll see the fastest second citizenship options available for Africans and the requirements. Don’t miss reading this article for anything!
What Is Second Citizenship?
Second citizenship is a legal privilege that allows a person to have more than one citizenship. This dual citizenship allows the person to enjoy privileges from the two countries.
As a result, the person can enjoy privileges such as healthcare, education, and other benefits. All over the world, there are over 50 countries that allow people to have dual citizenship rights.
This means that if you are an African looking for second citizenship options, you have a wide range of options to choose from.
Now that we’ve considered what second citizenship is and the number of countries that allow that, let’s consider the common ways to obtain that.
Common Ways To Obtain Second Citizenship Options
Here are common ways to obtain second citizenship options:
1. Citizenship By Birth
In most countries, there is an option to obtain citizenship by birth. Yes, this is one of the easiest means to obtain citizenship in a particular country. It is one of the most common means of second citizenship.
Countries that offer this kind of citizenship are France, and the United Kingdom. Aside from being born in a country, a person can also obtain second citizenship by confirming his relationship with a citizen of that country.
This is covered by some countries under the “blood law”. It is also called citizenship by descent. This law also covers a situation where a person was born abroad and after a long time, the person returns to his historical country.
2. Citizenship Through Marriage
Another known way to obtain dual citizenship is through marriage. This method has been exploited by some Africans over the years and it has proved to be successful.
It usually involves exchanging marital vows with a person who is a citizen of a particular country. After the ceremony, the certificate of the marriage is presented to the authorized bodies, who would then grant a passport and other citizenship documents to the marriage partner, who, before the marriage, was not a citizen.
In some countries, the law permits these types of citizenship privileges. However, it may not be always easy to pull through as some countries may have strict requirements processes.
Some examples of countries that allow these are the United States, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, among others.
3. Citizenship By Naturalisation
Some Africans have also been beneficiaries of certain countries’ citizenship by naturalisation privileges.
These privileges are mostly granted to individuals who have spent a good number of years in a country other than their first country.
After residing in this country for a good number of years, some countries must offer these individuals citizenship by naturalization privileges. In most cases, these privileges are granted upon staying for 3 – 10 years, depending on the country.
Before applying for a permanent permit or citizenship, look up the country’s citizenship by naturalization requirements. Then, follow the procedures to get a dual citizenship right by the country.
4. Citizenship By Merit
This is a citizenship privilege conferred to an individual for his impact on certain aspects of the country’s culture. It is granted to a person as a reward for his contributions to a particular course of action.
In this case, there is no particular textbook requirement for one to be offered these rights. It is conferred on an individual after careful observations of the individual actions and work ethic.
In most cases, people in sports who have contributed immensely to the development of a particular sport in a country are usually conferred this privilege.
Unlike other common ways to obtain a second citizenship, this cannot be planned or arranged.
5. Citizenship Through Investments
You can also be granted a citizenship privilege by investing your money in your desired country’s economy.
This is one of the most common methods used by businessmen in different parts of the world to become a citizen of their desired country.
All that is needed is to buy or invest in a business for a duration of time, and you can earn a citizenship privilege. If you’re thinking of what aspects to invest in, real estate should be part of your consideration.
By investing in real estate, your chances of being granted a citizenship privilege would be increased. For instance, in a country like the Dominican Republic, citizenship through investments is encouraged.
According to the Dominican Citizenship Law, you only need to buy real estate valued at least $200,000 and retain the property for three years. That way, you can access the citizenship rights of that country.
Benefits Of Obtaining Second Citizenship For Africans
These are the benefits that you stand to enjoy when you obtain second citizenship options:
1. Access To High-Quality Life
In most African countries, the fact is that there is little access to basic amenities. It is either there is complete neglect by the government to make basic amenities available, or they are incomplete.
It is because of this reason many have considered having a dual citizenship option in the top countries. For instance, in the United States, one can get access to quality education. This is because the US government has made that possible through its policies.
However, can that be said for most African countries? We’re not so sure. That’s just one aspect. In aspects such as healthcare, every day, we find people traveling away from Africa to Europe or Asia to perform surgeries.
So, the improvement of the issues facing Africa is what gives the top countries of the world an edge.
2. Improved Economy
Another benefit that many have considered before opting for dual citizenship in top countries is that the economy is better than that of most countries in Africa.
This is due to the fact that in developed nations there have been policies developed to ensure that the standard of living is attainable to low salary earners.
As such, many have found it wise to migrate to these countries to enjoy a better life. Along with that, it is because of this same reason that many businessmen have considered expanding their investment span to top countries of the world.
In these countries, they enjoy policies and friendly tax rates that guarantee the protection of their properties.
3. Improved Security
The improved security that European countries enjoy is what attracts Africans to these countries.
In Africa, many countries do not enjoy improved security. In the past decades, these countries have experienced the development of new terrorist groups. Now, these do not offer guarantees to businessmen looking to invest in these countries.
As much as investors are affected, the masses, too, are also affected. This is because they often live in fear for their lives and properties.
As a result, many families begin to save money in view that they would get improved security in their country of residence.
Second Citizenship Options Available To Africans
These are the fastest second citizenship options available to Africans who seek to migrate easily:
1. Vanuatu
Vanuatu boasts of the best second citizenship options available to Africans. In Vanuatu, once you meet the requirements needed, you can get your passports issued in just one month. In addition, citizenship applications can be submitted online. However, you will have to invest a minimum of $130,000 to obtain citizenship through investments.
• Path To Citizenship: Citizenship Through Investment.
• Least Investment Requirement: $130,000.
• Time Required: 1 Month.
2. Dominican Republic
With the Dominican Republican passport, you can get access to over 100+ countries. To obtain the Dominican Republic, you do not need to possess a language or residence requirements. The best way to obtain a Dominican Republic passport is via investment.
• Path To Citizenship: Citizenship Through Investment.
• Least Investment Requirement: $200,000.
• Time Required: 6 Months.
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3. Argentina
Argentina cuts short the burden of waiting up to 5 – 10 years to receive citizenship by naturalization privilege. If you intend to migrate to Argentina, you only need to spend 2 years, and you will become eligible to receive an Argentina passport. It is the fastest second citizenship options available for Africans who intend to migrate to the country.
• Path To Citizenship: Citizenship By Naturalisation.
• Time Required: 2 Years.
4. Paraguay
Along with Argentina, Paraguay boasts one of the fastest means to get a passport through naturalization. In Paraguay, you just need to wait only 3 years to be eligible. It would even surprise you how many Africans have migrated to the South American country.
• Path To Citizenship: Citizenship By Naturalisation.
Time Required: 3 Years.
5. Brazil
In Brazil, foreign marriage partners only have to wait one year after marriage to receive the Brazilian passport. Brazil tops the list as one of the countries to receive citizenship through marriage. In addition, its citizens are known to be welcoming to those with African roots.
• Path To Citizenship: Citizenship Through Marriage.
• Time Required: 1 Year.
6. Spain
Spain also allows foreign marriage partners to receive citizenship privileges. Just like in Brazil, couples would only have to wait one year after marriage. It is one of the fastest countries to receive this privilege. Many Africans have made it a top choice to obtain a second citizenship.
Path To Citizenship: Citizenship By Marriage.
Time Required: 1 Year.
7. Italy
Italy has proven to be one of the most visited second citizenship options available to Africans. To obtain a fast citizenship privilege in Italy, you can use the marriage option. Within a period of 1 year, you can get that passport in Italy.
Path To Citizenship: Citizenship By Marriage.
Time Required: 1 Year.
Note: The countries outlined in this section the fastest path to obtain a dual citizenship. It also takes into consideration their acceptance to Africans citizens too.
Conclusion
To obtain a dual citizenship right can be fast and easy. This can be achievable only with the right information. This article has been able to deliver an indepth information what you need to know about second citizenship options available to Africans. Feel free to bookmark this page if you’ll be needing the information in the future.