A Guide to Dual Nationality and Multiple Passports

Dual nationality (or citizenship) is a legal status that means you’re a citizen of two countries at the same time—often with the ability to hold passports for both. While having two or more home countries can expand your rights and opportunities, it also tends to come with added obligations and complexities.

Read on to learn more about how to get dual nationality, and what to consider before you do. Plus, see how Western Union makes it easy to send and receive money across borders, no matter which countries you call home.

Key takeaways

• Dual citizenship means you’re legally recognized as a citizen of two countries at the same time.
• You can be born into dual citizenship or achieve it through a naturalization process.
• Laws on dual citizenship vary by country, and not all countries allow it.
• Benefits can include visa-free travel, political rights, career and property opportunities, and access to services in both nations.
• Challenges can include complex and costly applications, double taxation, military service requirements, and travel or registration obligations.

What is dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, is when a person is legally recognized as a citizen of two countries at the same time. For example, someone who is a citizen of both the US and Mexico is a dual national. Having this status can grant you rights in both countries—such as the ability to travel freely, vote, and own property—but it can also bring obligations like double taxation or military service requirements.

How to get dual citizenship

Wondering how to get dual nationality? In countries where it’s allowed, you can usually either be born into it or acquire it later in life through naturalization. Here’s a look at the most common paths.

1. Birthright citizenship

Birthright citizenship is the automatic granting of citizenship based on a person’s place of birth or their parents’ nationality. When available, children can gain citizenship simply by being born within a country’s borders or by being born abroad to parents who are citizens.

For example, the US grants unrestricted birthplace-based citizenship and restricted ancestry-based citizenship. As a result, babies born on US soil are generally granted citizenship, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status. Further, children born abroad to US citizens typically qualify for citizenship if statutory requirements are met.

2. Marriage

If you marry a citizen of another country, you may become eligible for a marriage-based visa or residency. From there, countries may allow you to pursue citizenship through naturalization. The naturalization requirements vary, but many countries ask that you live in a marital union with your spouse in that country for a set period before applying.

For example, in the UK, spouses or civil partners of British citizens can apply for naturalization after living in the UK for three years. Other routes to UK naturalization require at least five years of continuous residence in the country.

3. Naturalization

Many countries also offer a general pathway to citizenship through naturalization. While the requirements vary by country, they often include specific residency and legal requirements, an oath of allegiance, and demonstrating knowledge of a country’s laws and culture.

For example, to become a Mexican citizen through naturalization, you must:

• Have at least five consecutive years of legal residency (permanent or temporary).
• Physically live in Mexico for at least 18 months in the two years preceding your application date.
• Pass a history and culture exam.
• Pass a Spanish language aptitude exam.

4. Investment

Some countries provide a pathway to citizenship through investment. In these cases, you must make a minimum qualifying investment in the country to secure a visa or residency. From there, you can often pursue citizenship through the country’s naturalization process.

For example, Portugal allows you to gain residence and the ability to travel through the Schengen Area visa-free by investing a minimum of €250,000. You can then apply for citizenship after five years of residency.

How many citizenships can you have?

There’s no universal limit on the number of citizenships people can hold. However, some countries allow their citizens to hold multiple while others don’t. For example, the United States allows for dual or multiple nationalities, meaning you can be a citizen of two or more countries simultaneously. China, on the other hand, revokes Chinese citizenship if another is obtained.

Advantages and disadvantages of dual nationalities

As a dual national, you gain the benefits and rights of two countries but can also face various new obligations. Here are the main pros and cons to consider before pursuing a second passport.

Pros

• Increased global access: Enjoy visa-free travel to multiple countries.
• Political rights: Vote in elections and donate to political campaigns in both countries.
• Enhanced opportunities: Work, own property, and start businesses in both countries.
• Services access: Gain access to social services, educational institutions, and healthcare systems in both countries.
• Obtain residency for family members: Gain the ability to sponsor family members for residency.

Cons

• Complicated process: Applying is often expensive and may require the expertise of an immigration lawyer.
• Double taxation: You may face double taxation.
• Exit ban: An exit ban may prevent you from leaving the country, due to issues such as business disputes, investigations into your family or employer, or criminal or civil matters.
• Entry and exit requirements: You may be required to obtain and use a passport from each country to enter, and may have to comply with restrictions when leaving, such as getting an exit visa.
• Limited diplomatic assistance abroad: You may lose the diplomatic support of the authorities from one home country when you enter the other.
• Military service: You may be required to perform military service in the countries where you are a national.
• Registration: Countries may require you to register your other nationalities.

While the benefits of dual citizenship can be great, it’s important to consider the drawbacks carefully as well. You’ll want to ensure that the status truly adds value to your life overall.

Which countries allow dual citizenship?

Whether you can get dual citizenship or not depends on the countries you’re trying to get citizenship in. Some allow it, some allow it under certain conditions, and some forbid it altogether.

For example, here’s a sampling of the dual citizenship laws in different countries.

Country	Dual Citizenship Allowed	Notes
Australia	Yes
Canada	Yes
China	No	No recognition of dual nationality.
Egypt	Yes	Must obtain permission from the Minister of the Interior.
France	Yes
Germany	Yes	Updated June 2024 to include citizens of all countries, not just nationals from EU countries.
India	No	No recognition of dual nationality.
Netherlands	Sometimes	Limits dual citizenship but makes exceptions for certain situations, including citizens who can’t give up their citizenship elsewhere, spouses of Netherland citizens, and refugees.
New Zealand	Yes	You must report your other citizenships.
United Kingdom	Yes
United States	Yes

Multiple passports for dual nationalities

Once you become a citizen of a country, you can apply for its passport—and sometimes, you’re required to. For example, if you’re a US citizen with more than one passport, you must use your US passport to enter and leave the United States. The same goes for Canada. However, the passport you use at your destination country can depend on both your preference and the laws of that country.

Before traveling abroad as a dual citizen, it’s smart to check the entry and exit requirements of each country on your itinerary and decide in advance which passport you’ll use where.

How dual nationals send money across borders

As a dual national, you may find yourself sending money across borders more frequently than the average person. Western Union is here to help. We facilitate reliable money transfers to over 200 countries and territories around the world.

Simply download the mobile app to your smartphone, register, and enter the details of your transaction. From there, you’ll be able to see the exchange rate and any applicable transfer fees upfront. You can pay via cash, credit card, or debit card, and your recipient can receive funds in-store, by direct deposit, or in their mobile wallet where applicable.

Send money across borders today!