Becoming a citizen of a country gives you the right and freedom to live and work there. There are various ways to get citizenship and they include investment, descent, birth and naturalisation.
Citizenship by birth essentially comes in two ways – right of blood (jus sanguinis) and right of soil (jus soli). Right of blood refers to when the child inherits the parents’ citizenship. For instance, a child of a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen no matter where they are born. Right of soil refers to when a child automatically becomes a citizen of the country where they are born. It does not matter whether the parents are citizens of that country or not. This article shall focus on the latter.
It may surprise you to know that some of your favourite japa destinations do not grant automatic citizenship to children born within their borders. For instance, the United Kingdom grants automatic citizenship to babies when at least one parent has a permanent residence in the country. In France, children born by foreigners will not get citizenship until they are up to 13 years old.
Therefore, it is important to do your due diligence before choosing a country to japa to, especially if you are considering having a baby. Currently, 33 countries grant immediate citizenship to babies born within their borders after birth.
Keep reading to know the top 7 countries that give immediate citizenship after birth.
Countries that give immediate citizenship after birth
1. United States of America
The world’s number one economic power also tops the list of countries that grant immediate citizenship to children born within their borders. According to the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, children born on U.S. soil are guaranteed immediate citizenship regardless of whether their parents are citizens or not. Even children of illegal immigrants have the right to automatic citizenship. However, the constitution excludes children of foreign diplomats or persons with diplomatic immunity.
2. Canada
Like its neighbour, Canada grants immediate citizenship to children born within the country. This is also regardless of their parents’ nationality and legal status. However, children of foreign diplomats or persons with diplomatic immunity are exempted.
3. Brazil
Brazil, a country in South America known for its rich culture and tourism, also grants immediate citizenship to children born within the country regardless of their parents’ nationality and legal status. Again, children of diplomats or those with diplomatic immunity are exempted.
4. Mexico
Mexico shares a border with the US and also grants immediate citizenship to children born within the country regardless of the parents’ nationality and legal status. However, children of diplomats or those with diplomatic immunity are omitted.
5. Argentina
Another South American country on the list, Argentina, grants immediate citizenship to children born within the country regardless of their parents’ nationality and legal status. The country has the 14th strongest passport in the world, meaning they can have visa-free access to 163 countries. They include the UK and European Union states.
6. Jamaica
Jamaica has produced some of the greatest athletes and artists that ever lived. The likes of Usain Bolt and Bob Marley have broken and set records in their respective fields, some of which are yet to be broken. Jamaica is also known for its rich culture and thriving tourism sector. Another great thing about the Caribbean is that children born within its borders are granted automatic citizenship.
According to Chapter Two of the Jamaican Constitution, persons born in Jamaica and persons born outside Jamaica of Jamaican parents have an automatic right to Jamaican citizenship. This means they can have access to 99 countries visa-free.
7. Lesotho
Lesotho is the only African country that grants immediate citizenship to children born within the country. Located in Southern Africa, Lesotho allows citizenship to be acquired at birth if the parents do not have diplomatic immunity or are enemy aliens.
Other countries that give immediate citizenship after birth include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Chad, Chile, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay and Venezuela.
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