Foreign Citizenship

From Trans World Express

One method of preparation for the worst, and/or emigration from the USA for many people is taking actions to obtain foreign citizenship and/or permanent residence status, instead of just a visa to live, study, and/or work in a foreign country. These processes are generally very drawn out and can take a substantial amount of time. There are also many pros and cons to doing this and methods of doing this that are specific to particular countries.

How do I get Foreign Citizenship?

Foreign citizenship is usually obtained by either naturalization (which typically is only available after residing in the country for a time and having already obtained permanent residence status), as well as by the concepts of jus soli (by nature of birth within the borders of that country) and jus sanguinis (by nature of the ancestry of your parents, grandparents, etc (bloodline) and their own citizenship). Countries in the “Old World” (Eurasia and Africa) generally go by jus sanguinis, while countries in the “New World” (Americas) generally go by jus soli, but there are exceptions.

Many Americans have ancestry that can be traced from ancestors in Eurasian and African countries. Depending on where your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc came from, as well as whether you can provide proof of heritage, you may be able to apply for foreign citizenship recognition in a foreign country.

The following is an incomplete list of countries that grant citizenship by descent under certain criteria. See each country's page for further information. Access to a common travel/living area is noted in parenthesis if applicable to each country.

It is worth noting that these processes are usually very drawn out, you should not expect them to be quick for most nations. If you wish to go down this path, you should do your research and start down it as soon as possible.

Pros of Foreign Citizenship

  • Protection by a country other than the USA when overseas, and unfettered access to the country that recognizes your foreign citizenship.
  • Visa free travel to additional countries that your US passport may not provide access to.
  • Potential right of abode/work/study in common travel areas such as the entire Schengen Area (for an EU passport), and the Australia/New Zealand Trans-Tasman Area.
  • The ability to obtain a foreign bank account.
  • The ability to access government benefits and documentation in a foreign country that may affirm your identity despite transphobic US laws and regulations.

Cons of Foreign Citizenship

  • Potential Foreign Military Service Obligations
  • Inability to hold certain US government-related and private contractor jobs that require a high level security clearance (such as in or related to the Intelligence Community, e.g. NSA/CIA/FBI, or certain positions in the military).
  • Inability to hold certain public offices in the United States.
  • Potential Tax Obligations to the Foreign Country.
  • Potential loss of US Citizenship, either if the other country doesn’t recognize dual citizenship, or due to a need to swear an oath to denaturalize in the USA upon taking up foreign citizenship. You cannot loose your US citizenship unless you renounce in the express presence of a US consular officer at an Embassy.
  • Need to maintain a foreign passport for certain travel.
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