# How hard is it to become a citizen of another country? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 12, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-citizen-of-another-country/148143 "2003-01-12T15:47:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-citizen-of-another-country/148143/41 "2003-01-14T10:36:11Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > \*\*For example, a Thai I know had to renounce her Thai citizenship when she turned 18 since Thailand didn’t allow dual citizenship, while Sweden did, and, as far as I know, does. \*\* > > \*Originally posted by chique \* > \*\*Here’s another stupid question: How would Thailand find out she became a resident of Sweden? Does Sweden send out letters to the former homes of all their new citizens? (Not just Sweden, mind - anyplace.) \*\* Well, she had been to the Thai embassy a couple of times, so they knew she was there sort of permanently (she’d lived in Sweden for around 11 years when she turned 18). I suppose they kept track. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-citizen-of-another-country/148143/42 "2003-01-14T10:57:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\ ***UDS** , I am surprised that you did not mention that [Ireland](http://old.emigrant.ie/living/citizen.htm) considers a citizen of Ireland anyone whose parent was born in Ireland. And anyone whose grandparent was born in Ireland can claim dual Irish citizenship. \*\* Good point, now that you mention it. Quite a number of countries allow for citizenship by descent, some on more generous terms than others. I guess that most people who are entitled to citizenship by descent already know that, however, or at least have some idea that it’s a possibility. In the context of migration, however, it’s probably worth mentioning that if you are entitled to the citizenship of any EU country you can migrate to any other EU country. Thus an American who wishes to go and live in (say) Italy or Greece will be able to do so if he is entitled to Irish citizenship by descent. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-citizen-of-another-country/148143/43 "2003-01-14T15:37:43Z")
Apparently my country, Dominican Rep., has by far the weirdest process for naturalization (no, it does not involve strage rituals in a cemetery). The only way to acquire citizenship is for the president to grant it, entirely at his consideration. You may be granted honorary citizenship for outstanding services to our country or you can apply for it and just wish that you have enough merit in the eyes of the president, a rare ocurrence. I don’t know personally anybody who became a naturalized citizen. Or you can go the easy way and being born here, provided that: a) You have Dominican parents, or b) Your parents are LEGAL residents of the country at the moment of your birth, or c) Your parents do not belong to the consular service of a foreign nation at the time of your birth. A naturalized citizens is entitled to ALL rights granted to by-birth citizens, except running for presidents. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-citizen-of-another-country/148143/44 "2003-01-14T16:34:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hari Seldon \* > \*\*Although what is said about Swiss citizenship above is not wrong, it is not complete. The fundamental fact is that in order to become a Swiss citizen, the first (and really only barrier) is to be accepted by a community (Gemeinde in German, communaute in French). \*\* Thank you for the information on Switzerland, it is one of few countries worth considering moving to. I personally dont think Shania Twain is going to have any problem getting Swiss citizenship, if she so desires. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-citizen-of-another-country/148143/45 "2003-01-14T18:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > but you’ll witness midnight sun, see polar bears walking on the streets and socialize with Eskimos. Heck, I can do that without leaving Canada! (Okay, it would involve a rather long internal flight, but still…) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-citizen-of-another-country/148143.md?page=2)