Naturalization

Naturalization is the legal process by which a non-national acquires the nationality of a country after birth. It is a formal way for people to join a new nation. This process is different from citizenship acquired automatically, such as at birth. The International Organization for Migration defines naturalization as an act involving an application or motion. This motion is then reviewed and approved by legal authorities.

The mechanism of naturalization usually follows a specific set of legal steps. Most applicants must submit a formal request to their host government. In many nations, the process requires a promise to obey the country's laws. This is often done through an oath of allegiance.

Beyond the oath, countries often set specific requirements for applicants. These may include a minimum period of legal residency. Some nations also require adequate knowledge of the dominant national language or culture. To prevent multiple citizenship, some countries require applicants to renounce their original nationality.

There are different types and paths to naturalization. Some people gain citizenship through marriage to a national, a concept known as jus matrimonii. Others may qualify because they have ancestors who were nationals of that country. This is often called jus sanguinis, or the right of blood. Some states also allow naturalization through military service. In other cases, people may acquire citizenship through financial investment.

History shows that naturalization laws often change due to major global events. After World War I, there was a sharp increase in refugees. This created many stateless persons who were not citizens of any state. In response, some nations passed laws for mass naturalization to help these groups. For example, Brazil granted naturalization to all aliens living in the country in 1891. In 1923, Greece and Turkey engaged in a population exchange. Greece naturalized Greek and Orthodox Christian people fleeing from Turkey. Reciprocally, Turkey naturalized Muslim refugees from the Balkans and other regions.

Other significant historical examples include the mass naturalization of Armenian people in territories like Syria and Lebanon. In the 1980s and 1990s, Turkey accepted and naturalized many refugees from Bulgaria. A famous refugee from this period was the athlete Naim Süleymanoğlu. Canada also used mass naturalization through the Canadian Citizenship Act of 1946. In the United States, the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted citizenship to Native Americans.

Requirements for naturalization vary greatly by country. For instance, Afghanistan requires five years of continuous residence. Algeria requires twenty years of continuous permanent residence. In contrast, Bhutan requires only three years of uninterrupted residence. Some countries offer reduced timelines for specific groups. In Angola, the residency requirement drops from seven years to three if the applicant is married to a citizen.

These numbers show how much the rules can differ globally.

While most countries provide a path to citizenship, some do not. Myanmar and Uruguay are the only two countries that deny immigrants any path to naturalization. Uruguay has a unique system where legal citizens gain political rights but do not become nationals. This distinction can cause problems with international travel. Because of International Civil Aviation Organization rules, Uruguayan legal citizens often face difficulties with passports at airports. This is because their nationality field often shows their country of birth instead of Uruguayan nationality. This can make free movement across borders very difficult for these individuals.