According to statistical data, up to 30 million people currently live abroad. The prospect of changing the environment, improving living conditions, fulfilling career ambitions, and traveling to many countries without bureaucratic formalities remains attractive to a large number of compatriots.
But where exactly to go? In today's reality, this question has become of paramount importance. In 2024, the list of foreign countries issuing national passports in a simplified format has significantly decreased. Some of them are willing to make concessions only on the condition that the applicants renounce their native country's passport.
In such circumstances, not all potential relocators know which foreign countries offer citizenship with minimal requirements.
Where It Is Easier to Obtain Citizenship in 2024
Despite worsening diplomatic relations with many EU countries, some still offer favorable immigration terms for compatriots. Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria are willing to issue national passports based on ancestry (if you wish to return to your historical homeland). In Poland, even those whose relatives lived in the country in the fourth generation (great-grandparents) can apply for citizenship.
Some South American countries also have easy requirements for obtaining citizenship. For example, Argentina grants citizenship through naturalization if you have lived there for at least 2 years. Peru and the Dominican Republic have similar residency requirements.
However, while an Argentinian passport allows visa-free travel to over 120 countries, a Dominican passport permits visa-free travel to only 31 countries (you will need a visa to enter the Schengen zone).
Loyal conditions for citizenship are provided in some Asian countries. However, to obtain an 'Asian' passport, in most cases, a compatriot-relocatee will have to renounce Russian citizenship. Citizenship in South Korea is granted to ethnic Koreans who have continuously lived in the country for at least 3 years. In Japan, the residency requirement is 5 years. Singapore authorities issue passports to those holding a 'Re-Entry Permit' status (equivalent to permanent residency) after 2 years of living in the country.
Europe
Status of the issued document: certificate of citizenship.
There is a repatriation program that allows for citizenship to be obtained through a simplified procedure. It applies to individuals whose ancestors up to the third generation lived in the territory of the Kingdom of Romania (including Moldavia and some regions of Ukraine - Northern Bukovina) between 1918 and 1940.
The relocant must prove in writing the fact that his/her relatives lived in the Romanian state during the specified period of time (archive certificates, baptismal certificates). Additionally, a document confirming the absence of criminal record will be required. After 16-19 months from the date of submission of the documents, the applicant is invited to take the oath of Romanian citizenship, and after passing the procedure he/she receives the corresponding certificate.
Latin America
Status of the Issued Document: DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) – civil passport.
The naturalization program allows for obtaining citizenship after just 2 years of continuous residence in the country. During the period of stay, the relocant must not violate the laws of the South American state.
Initially, a residence permit is issued for a period of 1 year. This status can be claimed by those who have come to Peru for the purpose of studying, employment, conducting scientific research, or implementing investment projects. Applicants for a "Peruvian" passport will have to pass an exam on Spanish language proficiency, as well as tests related to the history and cultural heritage of the country.
Asia
Status of the Issued Document: Singapore Passport.
Holders of PR status (equivalent to permanent residence) who have resided in Singapore for at least 2 years are eligible to apply for a passport of the Asian country. PR can be obtained by employees, investors, and representatives of "liberal professions" (artists, musicians, actors who have made a significant contribution to the country's cultural development).
The Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) scheme is indefinite, allowing relocators to enter the Asian country without a visa. Citizenship applications from PR holders are processed within 4 to 8 months. Immigration and Checkpoints Authority decisions on PR applications consider government quotas, which vary based on national priorities. Relocants who have obtained a Singapore passport can purchase public housing with a minimum loan rate and participate in elections.
Main Ways of Obtaining Citizenship – Brief Overview
All applicants born in the territory of the state can claim. But the list of countries in which such a preference applies is gradually decreasing.
The birthright citizenship program is available in: Chile, Mexico, Germany, Portugal.
To return to the historical homeland, it is necessary to prove that relatives of the repatriate previously lived in the country.
The program is available in: Poland, Bulgaria, Germany.
The program is aimed at residence permit holders who have lived in the country for a certain number of years.
The program is available in: Poland, Bulgaria, Germany.
The relocatee must convince the supervisory authorities that the marriage to a foreign citizen is not fictitious.
The program is available in most EU countries.
Investment programs imply large investments in government projects. The size of the investments is determined by the internal legislation of the host country.
In particular: obtaining a "Cypriot" passport will cost more than in Caribbean countries.
Second Citizenship
Domestic legislation does not prohibit citizens from applying for residency status in other countries.After obtaining a passport of a foreign state, it is not necessary to renounce citizenship in the home country (though some countries still have such a requirement, for example, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Austria). A person with dual citizenship has a full set of rights and obligations in both countries, but they pay taxes and fulfill military duties in the country where they predominantly reside.
In the first case, formalizing status is only possible with corresponding international agreements. Under such agreements, governmental structures are hypothetically notified that a citizen may possess another country's passport. However, dual citizens exercise their rights where they permanently reside and cannot, for instance, expect to receive social benefits simultaneously from two states. The agreement on dual citizenship with Tajikistan is effective.
In the situation of "second citizenship," individuals are also entitled to hold multiple passports. However, they must independently inform governmental structures in their native country about this fact. Moreover, each state will consider the individual its "subject," thus there is a risk of being conscripted again into the armed forces. In some countries, information about a person's second passport is not disclosed.