How to Get Foreign Nationality? Top Ten Hardest Citizenships | Second Passport | Pardes Explainers скачать в хорошем качестве

How to Get Foreign Nationality? Top Ten Hardest Citizenships | Second Passport | Pardes Explainers

Among the countries where obtaining citizenship is considered the most difficult in the world, Vatican City tops the list. Located within Italy, it is the smallest country in the world, and its citizenship system is entirely different from anywhere else. Citizenship here is not granted on the basis of birth or long-term residence; instead, it is strictly tied to one’s job and position. Vatican citizenship is given only to individuals who reside there to serve the Catholic Church. This includes cardinals, members of the Swiss Guard, and officials who work directly for the Pope. Interestingly, this citizenship is not permanent. As soon as a person’s employment or responsibility ends, their citizenship is automatically revoked. There is absolutely no pathway for ordinary people to obtain citizenship through naturalization. This is why Vatican City is considered the most closed country in the world. The small, mountainous European country of Liechtenstein ranks second on this list. If you wish to obtain citizenship here, you must reside in the country for at least thirty years, although this period may be reduced to five years in the case of marriage. However, the real challenge lies in Liechtenstein’s system of direct democracy. Simply meeting the legal requirements is not enough; the local citizens of the municipality where you live vote on your citizenship application. If your neighbors do not approve of your lifestyle or character, they can reject your application. Dual citizenship is not permitted, meaning you must give up your Pakistani passport. Despite its immense wealth, Qatar is extremely reluctant to grant citizenship to foreigners. Nearly 88 percent of its population consists of expatriates, yet citizenship remains largely a dream. Qatari law states that if you are a non-Arab, you must live continuously in Qatar for at least twenty-five years before applying for citizenship. During this time, you cannot leave the country for more than two months per year. You must have a spotless character and strong proficiency in the Arabic language. Another major hurdle is that Qatar grants citizenship to only around fifty people annually. Even if citizenship is granted, you do not receive the same rights as native Qataris—you cannot vote or hold public office. Kuwait is also among the countries with the strictest citizenship rules. Non-Arabs must live there for twenty years, while Arabs must complete fifteen years. A key condition is that the applicant must be Muslim or must have converted to Islam. Even after receiving citizenship, voting rights are withheld for thirty years. The government is so strict about maintaining demographic balance that people who have lived there for generations but lack documentation are still denied citizenship. China is the world’s second-largest economy, yet acquiring Chinese citizenship is almost impossible. According to the 2010 census, out of a population of billions, only 1,448 people were naturalized citizens. To qualify, you must have a close Chinese relative or an exceptional reason that convinces the Chinese government. In recent years, some flexibility has been introduced for PhD holders and major investors, but for an ordinary person, obtaining a Chinese passport remains a dead end. China does not recognize dual citizenship, and mastering its language and culture is itself a major barrier. Switzerland has one of the most complex citizenship systems in the world. To become a Swiss citizen, approval is required from three levels: the federal government, the canton, and the municipality. At the federal level, ten years of residence is required, but each city has its own additional rules. In some Swiss towns, local residents still vote on whether an applicant should be granted citizenship. There have been cases where applicants were rejected for trivial reasons, such as opposing the noise of cowbells. Applicants must pass a strict language exam called FIDE and prove full integration into Swiss society. We place Japan tenth on this list. While the citizenship process appears transparent on paper, it is culturally very demanding. After five years of residence, one may apply, but applicants must be able to read, write, and speak Japanese at the level of a primary school child. Japanese authorities conduct home visits, speak with neighbors, and assess whether the applicant has truly adopted the Japanese way of life. Dual citizenship is not allowed, so applicants must renounce their original passport. Although approval rates are better than in some other strict countries, cultural differences and language barriers discourage many applicants. #pardes #immigration #visa