The countries offering citizenship 'by ancestry' to Americans who want to leave after election
Thinking of leaving the US after the 2024 Presidential election or obtaining another citizenship?
You may be in luck as many countries offer dual citizenship to people who can prove they have relevant ancestry through their parents or grandparents.
But while numerous countries such as England, France, Australia, Canada and Mexico require at least one of the applicant's parents to be a citizen, others are more flexible.
Here are the 9 countries where you can apply for citizenship based on descent:
1. Ireland
According to Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, any US citizen whose parent was born before January 1, 2005 in Ireland is already a citizen and can apply for a passport.
For those whose parent was born after January 1, 2005 in Ireland, officials require them to prove the parents' citizenship and residence history at the time of the birth.
Otherwise, US citizens with grandparents who were born in Ireland can apply through Foreign Birth Registration - also known as Citizenship by Descent which is now processed only in Dublin.
According to Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs , any US citizen whose parent was born before January 1 2005 is already a citizen and can apply for a passport
2. Germany
US citizens may be able to acquire a German citizenship if they can prove they have a German parent, a grandparent or a great-grandparent who was born in the country.
Those born before July 1, 1993 to a non-German mother and a German father out of wedlock as well as proven their paternity before turning 23 can also apply to become citizens.
The country further allows those to apply whose ancestors lost their nationality or had their citizenship revoked by the Nazi regime on political, racial or religious grounds.
US citizens may be able to acquire a German citizenship if they can prove they have a German parent, a grandparent or a great-grandparent who was born in the country
3. Poland
This Central European country gives any American who has Polish and/or Polish-Jewish ancestry the opportunity to apply for citizenship
This Central European country gives any American who has Polish and/or Polish-Jewish ancestry the opportunity to apply for citizenship.
According to Henley and Partners, applicants may qualify if they can prove that at least one of their ancestors was born in Poland or its former territories; lived in Poland after 1920 or maintained their Polish citizenship after 1920 and at the time of their birth.
The government requires candidates to prove domicile with original Polish-issued documents.
4. India
While India does not grant dual-citizenship to those born in other countries, it does allow certain individuals to acquire 'Overseas Citizenship of India' status.
While India does not grant dual-citizenship to those born in other countries, it does allow certain individuals to acquire 'Overseas Citizenship of India' status
Under the OCI scheme, the card holder is 'granted a multiple entry, multipurpose, life-long visa for visiting India' and 'parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.'
To be eligible, the candidate needs to have parents born in India on or after January 26, 1950 and not be a citizen or former citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
5. Italy
The country allows US citizens to become naturalized members if they are married to an Italian citizen, have financial investment and if they have lived in the country for about a decade
According to Italian Dual Citizenship, the primary requirement to apply for an Italian citizenship is that the candidate's 'Italian male ancestor did not naturalize prior to the birth of his child in the US and prior to 1912 or if there is a female intermediate ancestor, her child born after January 1, 1948.'
The country allows US citizens to become naturalized members if they are married to an Italian citizen, have financial investment and if they have lived in the country for about a decade.
6. Ghana
In accordance with the Citizenship Act of 2002, those who wish to apply for Ghanaian nationality need to 'provide a copy of the current passport of applicant's Ghanaian parent and evidence of US citizenship along with their birth certificate.'
In accordance with the Citizenship Act of 2002 , those who wish to apply for Ghanaian nationality need to provide a copy of the current passport of applicant's Ghanaian parent and evidence of US citizenship along with their birth certificate
Under its Year Of Return program that was launched in 2019, the country aimed to inspire Black Americans who have descended from victims of the transatlantic slave trade to 'return' to Ghana.
According to NPR, the program was declared a success after many who visited gained citizenships and over 560 people acquired pieces of land.
The year-long program also commemorated the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in Virginia.
Apart from this, Ghana's Right of Abode law allows people of African descent who live outside of continent, especially African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans, to live in the country indefinitely without a visa and work without a work permit.
A person of African descent 'is defined as a person whose immediate forebears have resided outside the African continent for at least 3 generations but whose origin, either by documentary proof or by ethnic characteristics is African', according to Acheampong & Associates.
7. Spain
Americans who can prove both or either one of their parents are Spanish nationals, were adopted by Spanish national prior to their 18th birthday or have Spanish grandparents can apply to be citizens of the sunny country
Americans who can prove both or either one of their parents are Spanish nationals, were adopted by Spanish national prior to their 18th birthday or have Spanish grandparents can apply to be citizens of the sunny country.
Unlike its counterparts, the government requires applicants pass the two citizenship exams - DELE A2 and CCSE.
The DELE A2 is a basic language test and the CCSE tests knowledge of Spanish social-cultural customs as well the Spanish Constitution.
8. Hungary
Anyone born to a Hungarians or a descendent are citizens themselves regardless of the country of birth
According to the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, anyone born to a Hungarian or has Hungarian grandparents are citizens themselves regardless of the country of birth or the number of generations living abroad.
Those eligible need to apply to verify their Hungarian citizenship. The government does not require those with Hungarian ancestors to speak the language.
US citizens can also naturalized if they have been married to a Hungarian for at least a decade or married for five years and have a child together.
9. Portugal
The Portuguese Government grants naturalization to anyone with at least one grandparent or parent with Portuguese citizenship
The Portuguese Government grants naturalization to anyone with at least one grandparent or parent with Portuguese citizenship, according to Portugal Embassy in the US.
To apply, candidates must submit the birth certificate of their Portuguese ancestor as well as the children they had. The application is only processed in the country itself.
