Birth and family connection
Citizenship may depend on place of birth, a parent, an earlier generation, marriage or another recognised connection. Evidence and generational limits are country-specific.
Second citizenship
Explore your second citizenship options with confidence
A second citizenship can be an important part of your family, business and long-term international plans. We help you understand the pathways that may be relevant to your circumstances and how to prepare for the route you choose.
Start with your connection
Understand which citizenship pathways may be open to you
Citizenship is governed by the nationality law of the country concerned. It is distinct from a visa, temporary residence and permanent residence, even where those statuses can form part of a longer journey towards naturalisation.
Routes can arise through birth, descent, marriage, residence, naturalisation or a specific statutory programme. The evidence, discretion and decision-maker differ. A person considering another citizenship must also understand how the proposed nationality interacts with every citizenship they already hold, because countries take different approaches to multiple nationality, retention and loss.
Prism 7 helps you compare suitable citizenship options, understand the family position and organise the evidence and application stages around the route you choose.
Your possible pathways
Find the route that reflects your circumstances
Your family history, residence, relationships and long-term plans can each point towards a different citizenship pathway. We help you identify the questions that matter for the countries you are considering.
Residence and naturalisation
Lawful residence can sometimes support a later citizenship application, with qualifying time, absence, language, integration and character requirements.
Economic or statutory programmes
Some states provide specific legal programmes with recognised application channels, financial conditions and enhanced due diligence.
Restoration or registration
Former citizens and people within defined statutory categories may have a registration or restoration process distinct from ordinary naturalisation.
Exceptional or discretionary routes
These depend on a government decision in limited circumstances and are different from a standard application route.
Compare the substance
Questions to answer before comparing citizenship routes
Compare how each route works, who can qualify, which family members may apply and what happens after a decision.
| Topic | Why it matters | What to check | Evidence may include | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | The route determines eligibility, procedure and decision-making power. | Current legislation, official programme name and competent authority. | Birth, ancestry, residence, relationship or qualifying-programme records. | A familiar marketing name reflects the legal status. |
| Family scope | Each relative can face different definitions and evidential tests. | Spouse or partner recognition, age, dependency, custody and timing. | Civil-status, education, support and consent documents. | One approval automatically covers the whole family. |
| Due diligence | Citizenship decisions can involve detailed identity, character and financial scrutiny. | Checks, interviews, disclosures and authorised verification channels. | Identity, residence, police, business, wealth and funds records. | Submitting the requested documents guarantees approval. |
| Existing nationality | Another citizenship can affect retention, reporting and personal rights. | The laws of every relevant country and the applicant’s circumstances. | Current passports, nationality certificates and specialist legal advice. | Multiple citizenship is always permitted or consequence-free. |
| After approval | Documentation, registration and continuing legal duties may remain. | Oaths, certificates, passport applications, updates and retention rules. | Authority correspondence and records of continuing compliance. | Citizenship and passport issuance are the same decision. |
Legal basis
- Why it matters
- The route determines eligibility, procedure and decision-making power.
- What to check
- Current legislation, official programme name and competent authority.
- Evidence may include
- Birth, ancestry, residence, relationship or qualifying-programme records.
- Key distinction
- A familiar marketing name reflects the legal status.
Family scope
- Why it matters
- Each relative can face different definitions and evidential tests.
- What to check
- Spouse or partner recognition, age, dependency, custody and timing.
- Evidence may include
- Civil-status, education, support and consent documents.
- Key distinction
- One approval automatically covers the whole family.
Due diligence
- Why it matters
- Citizenship decisions can involve detailed identity, character and financial scrutiny.
- What to check
- Checks, interviews, disclosures and authorised verification channels.
- Evidence may include
- Identity, residence, police, business, wealth and funds records.
- Key distinction
- Submitting the requested documents guarantees approval.
Existing nationality
- Why it matters
- Another citizenship can affect retention, reporting and personal rights.
- What to check
- The laws of every relevant country and the applicant’s circumstances.
- Evidence may include
- Current passports, nationality certificates and specialist legal advice.
- Key distinction
- Multiple citizenship is always permitted or consequence-free.
After approval
- Why it matters
- Documentation, registration and continuing legal duties may remain.
- What to check
- Oaths, certificates, passport applications, updates and retention rules.
- Evidence may include
- Authority correspondence and records of continuing compliance.
- Key distinction
- Citizenship and passport issuance are the same decision.
A clear application plan
Prepare the right pathway from the start
Every citizenship route has its own application process. Some can be made directly, while others use a recognised official channel. Starting with the correct process keeps your preparation focused and your documentation properly organised.
We help you map the information and supporting evidence likely to matter for your chosen route, while the competent government or authority remains responsible for every decision.
Route status
Understand the legal pathway and the citizenship outcome it can provide.
Application channel
Follow the recognised preparation and submission process for the chosen route.
Government decision
The competent government or authority assesses and decides every application.
Build your citizenship plan
Four steps from your objective to a clear pathway
Start with your legal and family circumstances, then build the evidence and application plan for the relevant pathway.
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Map your nationalities and family connections
Record current citizenships, birthplaces, parents, grandparents, residence history, relationships and every family member involved.
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Identify the citizenship pathway
Establish whether descent, registration, naturalisation or a specific statutory programme fits the circumstances.
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Prepare the evidence and due-diligence record
Organise nationality, family, residence, character and financial evidence for the chosen route and each applicant.
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Follow the recognised application process
Coordinate the correct preparation, submission and government decision stages for the route.
Different starting points
The same objective can involve different legal work
Your family connection, residence history and chosen programme determine the legal pathway and evidence you will need.
A family connection several generations back
The citizenship law determines whether the family line is recognised and whether citizenship passed automatically or requires registration. The evidence must connect each generation.
A long-term resident considering naturalisation
The residence category and recorded absences determine whether the qualifying period is met. Language, character, integration and existing-nationality rules may also apply.
A family considering a statutory programme
Each proposed applicant can face separate eligibility and due-diligence requirements. Family categories and the application channel depend on the programme.
Citizenship programmes
Compare second-citizenship routes
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship programme
Citizenship route with 4 recognised qualifying options, including a contribution route administered under the programme or an investment in an approved real-estate project.
View programme
Grenada
Grenada citizenship programme
Citizenship route with 2 qualifying options: a contribution to the National Transformation Fund or an investment in a government-approved project.
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Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia citizenship programme
Citizenship route with 4 recognised qualifying options, including national Economic Fund contribution or approved real-estate investment.
View programme
Türkiye
Türkiye citizenship programme
Citizenship route with 4 recognised qualifying options, including qualifying real-estate acquisition with the required title restriction or qualifying fixed-capital…
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Vanuatu
Vanuatu citizenship programme
Citizenship route based on a prescribed contribution under the Development Support Programme through the authorised channel.
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Nauru
Nauru citizenship programme
Citizenship route based on a prescribed contribution under the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme.
View programmePrepare carefully
What to prepare for a citizenship conversation
A complete starting record makes it easier to identify the relevant pathway and the evidence needed for each applicant.
Identity and nationality
- Current and former citizenships
- Birthplaces and residence history
- Name changes and civil-status records
- Parents, grandparents and relevant family connections
Eligibility and family
- The citizenship pathway being considered
- Every proposed family applicant
- Relationship, age and dependency evidence
- Individual character and due-diligence information
Process and consequences
- Required application and submission channel
- Multiple-nationality and retention position
- Documents for each application stage
- Other tax, legal or financial considerations
Common questions
Second citizenship FAQs
No. Citizenship is the underlying nationality status. A passport is a travel document issued under a separate procedure.
No universal rule applies. Each current and proposed nationality can have different rules on multiple citizenship, retention and loss.
No. Residence may contribute to a later naturalisation application, but qualifying time, absences, status type and other conditions still apply.
Not necessarily. Spouses, partners, children and other relatives may have separate pathways, definitions, evidence and decision dates.
No. The competent government or authority decides every application under the relevant law.
Clarify the objective
Start with your legal and family position
Tell us which citizenship outcome you are exploring, the connections you may rely on and who needs to be considered. We will help you compare the relevant pathways and organise the next steps.