Children can obtain citizenship at the place of birth, regardless of their parents' citizenship and nationality. Find out more about which countries will grant citizenship by birth on their territory in 2024

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Birthright citizenship, also known as "jus soli" or "law of the land," grants children automatic citizenship of the country of their birth, regardless of their parents' nationality or cultural identity. This principle is widespread in countries where there is significant migration and intermingling of ethnic groups.

According to historical trends, more than 60 countries apply the jus soli principle for acquiring citizenship. However, some of them require additional conditions or procedures before a child can become a full-fledged citizen.

For example, in the United States, children born on its territory automatically acquire American citizenship. A similar principle applies in many Latin American and European countries.

Although "jus soli" is a common principle, not all countries in the world apply it. For example, many countries in Asia and Africa use the "jus sanguinis" (law of blood), where citizenship is inherited through paternity.

Features of obtaining citizenship by birth in 2024

Obtaining citizenship by birth is a common practice for establishing civil ties between a person and the state. Everyone has the right to citizenship or nationality from birth, which is a generally recognized rule of international law.

This right of birth is realized according to two main principles:

1. Jus soli (citizenship by the law of the land): according to this principle, any person born on the territory of a particular country automatically has the citizenship of that country, regardless of the citizenship of his or her parents;

2. Jus sanguinis (nationality by blood): according to this principle, a person has the nationality of a state if at least one of his or her parents has the nationality of that state.

Most states combine these principles to determine a person's nationality, often using a combined approach. The interpretation of these principles may vary from country to country.

The procedure for obtaining citizenship by a child involves several steps. First, the mother applies for a visa to enter the country before the birth, possibly with the help of an agency.

At about 5-6 months of pregnancy, the mother travels to the country with her visa and passport. Upon arrival, she checks into a hotel or rented accommodation, registers at a clinic for pregnancy and childbirth monitoring, and chooses a doctor.

After the birth, all the necessary documents and certificates are drawn up, for example, in Canada, the clinic issues a "Statement of Live Birth" - a document confirming the birth. Then, based on this certificate, a birth certificate is issued. In Canada, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) can also be issued. On the basis of these documents, a national passport for the child can be obtained in the future.

Obtaining citizenship by birth in European countries 2024

Obtaining citizenship for children born in European countries is usually associated with requirements related to the status of the parents and the time they have been in the country. For example, in the UK, if at least one of the parents has a residence permit at the time of the child's birth, the child automatically acquires citizenship. Nevertheless, children born in the UK and who have lived there for the first 10 years of their lives are eligible to apply for citizenship even if their parents are not residents.

In Greece, children acquire citizenship if their parents have been legally residing in the country for at least 5 years prior to birth. If the parents have met this requirement, but the child was born abroad, he or she can obtain citizenship after attending a Greek school for 6 years.

In Ireland, both parents of a child must legally reside in the country for at least 4 years before the child's birth to obtain citizenship.

The rules for obtaining citizenship in France for children are complicated, but parents do not necessarily need to have residency. A child born in the country can become a citizen upon reaching the age of 13, provided that he or she has lived in France for most of his or her life.

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Citizenship by birth in North America

In the United States, citizenship is automatically granted to all children born in the country without any additional requirements. After birth, the child receives a birth certificate, which can then be used to obtain a passport. When a child turns 21, he or she can apply for citizenship for his or her parents as part of family reunification.

In Canada, all children born on its territory are automatically granted citizenship. To obtain a passport, a child only needs a birth certificate and an application.

Obtaining citizenship by birth in Central, South America and the Caribbean

Mexican citizenship is automatically granted to all children born in the country. Parents can also obtain Mexican citizenship by birth if they have lived in the country for at least 2 years and successfully pass a national history and Spanish language exam.

Most South American countries also grant citizenship to children immediately at birth. The exception is Colombia, where at least one of the parents must have a residence permit at the time of the child's birth. In Peru, a child obtains citizenship upon reaching the age of 18.

Children born in the Caribbean automatically become citizens of these countries. This provides them with some advantages, such as visa-free travel to the Schengen area and the UK, the possibility of obtaining a long-term tourist visa in the US for 10 years, as well as benefits when applying to UK higher education institutions.

Citizenship by birth in Asian countries 2024

Different Asian countries have different rules for obtaining citizenship at birth. For example, in Pakistan, citizenship is granted automatically upon the birth of a child in the country.

In Thailand, parents must have lived in the country for at least 5 years before the birth of a child in order for him or her to obtain citizenship.

Israel also has certain requirements for obtaining citizenship. A child born in the country and not having obtained any other citizenship can apply for an Israeli passport between the ages of 18 and 21. However, in order to obtain a passport, a person must have lived in Israel for at least five years before applying.

Australia and Oceania

Different countries in Oceania have different rules for obtaining citizenship. In Australia, a child can become a citizen if he or she was born and lived in the country for the first 10 years of his or her life. In Tuvalu and Fiji, citizenship is granted to all children automatically at birth.

Giving birth abroad for citizenship 2024

Various agencies specialize in organizing and supporting childbirth in the United States and Canada for foreign mothers. These countries have become popular destinations for "birthing tourism" because of their policies on granting citizenship to newborns. The services provided by such agencies include visa support, housing search, paperwork, selection of clinics and doctors, as well as full logistical support.

For example, in Canada, foreign mothers usually arrive at 4-5 months of pregnancy and stay in special hotels for childbirth. They enjoy free medical care and can receive assistance from the state.

The delivery procedure is paid: the standard price is about 10 thousand dollars for the delivery, plus the cost of accommodation and agency services. Choosing Canada or the United States, although not the cheapest, provides a reliable way to obtain citizenship in a developed country. Being born in another country can make sense even without the goal of obtaining a passport, as a way to ensure quality medical care for yourself and your child.

The top 5 countries that are considered the best for childbirth (according to the international organization Save the Children) include:

1. Finland - up to 7000 euros;

2. Switzerland - from 20,000 euros;

3. Germany - 12000 euros;

4. Austria - 7000-10000 euros;

5. France - 16000-20 000 euros.

When choosing a country for childbirth, it is important to be clear about your goals. If you are talking about the child's prosperous future, you should definitely choose the United States or Canada.

Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit World

To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need travel insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.