Citizenship deprivation can occur for fraud. Many countries have strict laws for withdrawal of citizenship. We have compiled full list of countries revoking citizenship based on fraud, false representation or concealment of information.
| Country | Article in law | Procedure | Conditions | Category |
| Afghanistan | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Albania | ALB 13(1) | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship based on incorrect data or falsified documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Algeria | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Angola | ANG 17(2)(c) and (d) | Lapse | Person is a naturalised citizen who acquired citizenship through fraud or by inducing errors in authorities or on the basis of marriage or de facto union that is simulated, ill faith etc. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Antigua and Barbuda | ANT 8, 9(1), 9(2) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss cannot result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Argentina | Decree 3213/84 (15) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by option or naturalisation based on false facts. The judge must apply the rules of due process. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Armenia | ARM 23(2) | Lapse | Person has acquired citizenship through false information or documents, unless more than five years have passed since citizenship was acquired. | Generally applicable provision |
| Australia | AUS 34 | Withdrawal | Person became a citizen by descent (born abroad to an Australian citizen) or intercountry adoption (AUS 34(1)), or by conferral (AUS 34(2)), and the person has been convicted of a fraud offence or gained citizenship as a result of third party fraud and the Minister is satisfied that it would be contrary to the public interest for the person to remain a citizen. If person acquired citizenship by conferral, revocation extends to serious offences of a fraudulent nature committed after the application to become an Australian citizen, and ‘migration-related fraud’. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Austria | AUT 24 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on a faked document or wrong information, criminal activity, or by fraud in some other way. Based on General Law on Administrative Procedures. | Generally applicable provision |
| Azerbaijan | AZE 18 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by intentionally falsifying necessary information or by submitting a false document. | Generally applicable provision |
| Bahamas | Const. 11(1), BAH 11(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration, naturalisation or automatically via operation of Const. Arts 3(3) and 4 based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Bahrain | BAH 8(a) | Nullification | Person has acquired citizenship by deception or based on false statements or has hidden substantial information. | Generally applicable provision |
| Bangladesh | BAN 16(2), 16(5) and 1926 Act, 8(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired his/her certificate of domicile or certificate of naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Government must be satisfied that deprivation is in the public interest, but loss can result in statelessness. | Generally applicable provision |
| Barbados | BAR 9(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Belarus | BEL 21,22 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship based on admittedly false data or fake documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Belgium | BEL 23(1)(1) | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship other than by birth and has acquired citizenship by means of false representation, use of forged documents or concealment of facts which would have precluded the granting of citizenship (expiration period of 5 years). | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Belize | BEL 21(1)c | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration based on fraud, false representation, the concealment of material circumstances, or by mistake. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Benin | BEN 62-63 | Withdrawal | Person does not in fact fulfil the conditions for naturalisation, or has knowingly made a false declaration for naturalisation or reacquisition. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Bhutan | BHU 6b | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Bolivia | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | BiH 23(1) | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship of BiH by fraud or concealment of any relevant fact. | Generally applicable provision |
| Botswana | BOT 18(b)(i) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Brazil | BRA 75 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on fraud. Citizenship can only be nullified by means of a judicial decision. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Brunei | BRU 11(2), 11(6) | Withdrawal | Person is a citizen by registration or naturalisation and acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact, or was granted citizenship by mistake. Loss needs to be conducive to the public good. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Bulgaria | BUL 22 | Nullification | Person has acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false data and facts, and/or has concealed facts that could have justified a negative decision, and/or has not maintained for at least two years the investments which were the ground for citizenship acquisition (time limit: 10 years unless person has participated in terrorism). Provision does not apply if person would thereby become stateless. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Burkina Faso | BUF 199 | Lapse | Person has knowingly made a false declaration or presented false documents to acquire citizenship. Implications are not clear in the legislation. | Generally applicable provision |
| Burundi | BUR 33(a) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen who has acquired citizenship by fraud, corruption of a public servant or any other illegal procedure. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Cambodia | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Cameroon | CAM 39(3) | Withdrawal | It becomes apparent within one year that the person did not fulfil the conditions required by the law to be naturalised or to reacquire citizenship. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Canada | CAN 10 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship based on false representation, fraud, or concealment of material facts. Loss can result in statelessness. | Generally applicable provision |
| Cape Verde | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Central African Republic | CAR 63 | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship by submitting documents with false information or through fraudulent means. Decree of withdrawal must take place within 2 years of discovery of fraud and person has the right to make representations. | Generally applicable provision |
| Chad | CHA 27(1) | Withdrawal | Person is a citizen by naturalisation who acquired citizenship by fraud or by inducing error by the authorities (deprivation is by decree). | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Chile | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| China | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Colombia | COL 20(a), 21 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on false information (time limit: 10 years). Loss can result in statelessness. | Generally applicable provision |
| Comoros | COM 68 | Withdrawal | Person has knowingly made a false declaration or presented documents with incorrect information, or used fraudulent means to acquire citizenship. The decree of withdrawal must take place within 2 years of acquisition. | Generally applicable provision |
| Congo – Brazzaville | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Congo – Kinshasa (DR) | DRC 28 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by fraud, on the basis of an erroneous or deceitful declaration, by deception, through false documentation or by bribing or blackmailing a person responsible for the process of the acquisition of citizenship. | Generally applicable provision |
| Costa Rica | COS 18 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on fraud. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Cote d‘Ivoire | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Croatia | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Cuba | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Cyprus | CYP 113(2) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation and has intentionally provided false or misleading information or held back information which was decisive for the acquisition of citizenship. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Czech Republic | CZE 39, Code of Administrative Procedure. | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by fraud. | Generally applicable provision |
| Denmark | DEN 8A | Withdrawal | Person has intentionally provided false or misleading information or held back information which was decisive for the acquisition of citizenship. | Generally applicable provision |
| Djibouti | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Dominica | Const 101(a), DOM 10(1)-10(2) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Dominican Republic | DOR 12, Par. I, Par. IIh | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship based on false documents or documents belonging to someone else. Loss can result in statelessness. | Generally applicable provision |
| East Timor | TIM 14-2(d), NR 17 | Nullification. | Person is a citizen by naturalisation and has obtained Timorese citizenship by forging documents, using fraudulent means or, through any other means, inducing the Timorese authorities in error. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Ecuador | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Egypt | EGY 15 | Nullification | Nationality can only be lost/deprived from a naturalised citizen and only possible within certain number of years after naturalisation. Crimes include for example a crime against honour or against the security of the State. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| El Salvador | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Equatorial Guinea | EQG 14 | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and is convicted in court of fraud in establishing the conditions for naturalisation. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Eritrea | ERI 3(3), 8(2)(a) | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship by fraud, deceit or concealment of decisive facts. | Generally applicable provision |
| Estonia | EST 28(1)(4) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation or reacquisition based on false information and thereby conceals facts which would have precluded the grant or reacquisition of citizenship. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Ethiopia | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Fiji | Citizenship of Fiji Act 2009 s 17(2)(a) | Withdrawal | Citizenship by registration or naturalization was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Finland | FIN 33(1), 33(3), 33(4) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by declaration or naturalisation by providing false or misleading information, or withholding relevant information decisive for the acquisition of citizenship (time limit: 5 years). Consideration of the person’s situation, culpability of the act, circumstances in which fraud is committed and his/her ties with Finland, and, for minors, age. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| France | FRA 27-2 | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship by declaration, naturalisation or reacquisition while failing to meet statutory requirements or based on misrepresentation or fraud (limit: two years after discovery). | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Gabon | GAB 36 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false documents or by inducing an error by the responsible authorities. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Gambia | Const 13(1)(b), GAM 11(1)(a) | Withdrawal | Person is a citizen by naturalisation or registration and acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Georgia | GEO 21 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by presenting false documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Germany | GER 35 | Withdrawal | Person acquired, or has been allowed to retain, citizenship by wilful deceit, threat, bribe or by giving wilfully wrong or incomplete information (time limit: 10 years). | Generally applicable provision |
| Ghana | Const 9(3)(b), GHA 18(b) | Withdrawal | Person is a citizen otherwise than by birth or adoption and citizenship was acquired by fraud, misrepresentation or any other irregular or improper practice. Application for a deprivation order is made to the High Court by the Attorney General. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Greece | GPAL | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship based on false information or fraud (provision based on general principle of administrative law). | Generally applicable provision |
| Grenada | Const 99(2), GRE 9(2)a | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Guatemala | GUA 22 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship based on false documentation. Loss can result in statelessness. | Generally applicable provision |
| Guinea | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Guinea Bissau | BIS 10(2) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and has acquired citizenship by fraudulent means. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Guyana | Const 48(1)b, GUY 11(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Haiti | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Honduras | Const 29(2), HON 65(4) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false declarations or documents. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Hungary | HUN 9 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship, otherwise than by birth, due to false information or fraud in the acquisition procedure (time limit: 10 years). | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Iceland | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| India | IND 10(2)a | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship under mode A06 or A19 and became a citizen by fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Government must be convinced that deprivation is conducive to the public good. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Indonesia | IND 28 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on false or invalid information or because of an error on the part of the authorities. | Generally applicable provision |
| Iran | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Iraq | IRQ 15 | Withdrawal | Person provided wrong information concerning himself or his family upon submitting the application for acquiring citizenship. | Generally applicable provision |
| Ireland | IRE 19(1)(a) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts or circumstances. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Israel | ISR 11(a); ISR 11(b)(2) | Nullification;Nullification | Person acquired citizenship on the basis of false particulars within the past three years and this is proven to the satisfaction of the Minister of the Interior; Person acquired citizenship on the basis of false particulars and more than three years have elapsed since (citizenship is revoked by Administrative Court at the request of the Minister of the Interior). | Generally applicable provision |
| Italy | GPAL | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation, recognition of paternity or adoption that was based on fraud (void marriage, void adoption, false documents etc). Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Jamaica | Const 11b, JAM 8(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Japan | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Jordan | JOR 19(2), Art. 10 Cabinet decision Nr. 6800 of October 2, 2019 | Withdrawal | The Council of Ministers may, with the approval of His Majesty, cancel the naturalization certificate if fraud/forgery appears in the data used to obtain the naturalization certificate. Art. 10 Cabinet decision of October 2, 2019, Nr. 6800 specifies that if any of the conditions listed to obtain investment nationality are breached, then that nationality will be withdrawn. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Kazakhstan | KAZ 21 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship through submission of false information or fake documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Kenya | Const 17(a), KEN 21 | Withdrawal | Person is a citizen by registration and acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation, or concealment of any material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Kiribati | Citizenship Act 1979 s 8(2) | Withdrawal | Person found by court to have obtained citizenship by false representation, fraud or concealment of material fact loses citizenship, unless Minister is satisfied that the offence was of a minor nature and the true facts would not have affected grant of naturalisation | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Kosovo | KOS 18(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship based on false statements or concealed facts. | Generally applicable provision |
| Kuwait | KUW 13(1) | Nullification | Person acquired naturalisation by virtue of fraud or on the basis of a false declaration. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Kyrgyzstan | KYR 26 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by intentionally providing false information or false documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Laos | LAO 24(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation and in contravention of the law (time limit: within 5 years after naturalisation). Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Latvia | LAT 24(1)(3), 24(3), 24(4) | Withdrawal | Person has knowingly provided false information when verifying a right to hold citizenship of Latvia, or when acquiring citizenship by naturalisation. Time limit: 10 years, unless person has been convicted for any of the international crimes referred to in Article 5 of the ICC Statute, or person holds citizenship of a country not referred to in LAT 9(1), clauses 1-4. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Lebanon | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Lesotho | LES 23(2) | Withdrawal | Person is a citizen by registration or naturalisation and acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Liberia | LIB 21.50 | Withdrawal | Person is a citizen by naturalisation and acquired citizenship through concealment of a material fact or misrepresentation, or was not eligible for citizenship or to reside in Liberia, or was not of good moral character or was an anarchist or not attached to the principles of the constitution, or acquisition of citizenship was based on a manifest error of law or fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Libya | LIB 12 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on false information, fraudulent documents or non-disclosure of information related. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Liechtenstein | LIE 21 | Withdrawal | Person has provided false information or has acquired citizenship by fraud. | Generally applicable provision |
| Lithuania | LIT 24(5) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by means of forged documents or any other fraud. | Generally applicable provision |
| Luxembourg | LUX 62 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship, otherwise than by descent, by providing false information, dissimulation or fraud in the acquisition procedure. Provision does not apply if person would thereby become stateless. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Macedonia | MAC 14 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation, based on false or incorrect information, or forged documents.
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Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Madagascar | MAD 62-63 | Withdrawal | Person is naturalised citizen and it becomes apparent that he or she did not fulfil the requirements or had knowingly made a false declaration or presented a false document or used fraudulent means to acquire citizenship. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Malawi | MWI 25(1) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen who acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Malaysia | Const 26, 26B(2) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact, or acquisition was effected or granted by mistake. Government must be satisfied that deprivation is conducive to the public good. Loss due to fraud can result in statelessness. Loss due to mistake cannot result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Mali | MAL 245 | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised or reintegrated citizen and it becomes apparent that s/he did not satisfy the conditions or knowingly made a false declaration, presented false documents or employed fraudulent means to acquire citizenship. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Malta | MAL 14(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship, by registration or naturalisation, by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Marshall Islands | Citizenship Act 1984 <a4>407(a) | Release | Citizenship by registration or naturalisation may be cancelled if person concealed a material fact or made a wilful misrepresentation in his or her application. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Mauritania | MRT 22 | Nullification | Person obtained citizenship by fraud. Time limit: within 2 years after naturalisation. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Mauritius | MAU 11(2) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen who has acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact. Provided that s/he shall not become stateless. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Mexico | MEX 36, REG 41-42 | Nullification | Person committed perjury and/or presented forged documents during the application for naturalisation. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Micronesia | Citizenship and Naturalisation Act <a4> 205(2) | Nullification | Naturalisation may be cancelled by court order within 5 years of discovery that it was obtained through concealment of a material fact or wilful misrepresentation. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Moldova | MOL 23(1)(a) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by means of fraudulent conduct, false information or concealment of any relevant fact. | Generally applicable provision |
| Mongolia | MON 15(1)(3) | Lapse | Person has acquired citizenship based on false information or documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Montenegro | MON 24(2) | Withdrawal | Person has intentionally provided false or misleading information or held back information, which was decisive for the acquisition of citizenship. Provision does not apply if person would thereby become stateless. | Generally applicable provision |
| Morocco | MOR 14 | Nullification | Person has obtained citizenship by fraud. | Generally applicable provision |
| Mozambique | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Myanmar | MYA 18, 36, 59 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. | Generally applicable provision |
| Namibia | NAM 9(2) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and the minister is satisfied that citizenship was acquired by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact. Other conditions: person shall not be rendered stateless. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Nauru | Naoero Citizenship Act 2017 s 23(1) | Withdrawal | Cabinet can cancel persons citizenship by residency or marriage where obtained by fraud, bribery, misrepresentation or concealment of material fact. Constitution s 75(2), (3) permit parliament to make laws for the deprivation of citizenship only for those who acquire citizenship otherwise than by birth or marriage. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Nepal | NEP 12 | Withdrawal | Person obtained citizenship by submitting false documentation. | Generally applicable provision |
| Netherlands | NET 14(1) | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on false information or fraud in procedure (time limit: 12 years, unless the person is convicted for one of the offences referred to in articles 6, 7 or 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court). | Generally applicable provision |
| New Zealand | NEZ 17 | Withdrawal | Person’s registration, naturalisation, grant of citizenship or any other grant requirement was procured by fraud, false representation or wilful concealment of relevant information, or by mistake. If citizenship was acquired by mistake, deprivation is not possible if that would render the person stateless. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Nicaragua | NIC 64(4) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false information. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Niger | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Nigeria | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| North Korea | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Norway | NOR 26 | Withdrawal | Person has provided incorrect or incomplete information against his or her better judgment or has suppressed circumstances of substantial importance for the decision granting, or allowing to retain, citizenship. | Generally applicable provision |
| Oman | OMA 21(2) | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship illegally. | Generally applicable provision |
| Pakistan | PAK 16(2), 16(5) and 1926 Act, 8(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired his/her certificate of domicile or certificate of naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Government must be satisfied that deprivation is in the public interest, but loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Palau | Citizenship Act <a4> 143 | Withdrawal | Court may revoke naturalisation illegally procured or obtained by concealment of material fact or wilful misrepresentation | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Panama | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Papua New Guinea | Constitution ss 70(2), 70(4) | Withdrawal | Section 70(2) Loss of citizenship if found by a court to have obtained citizenship by false representation, fraud or concealment of a material fact, unless Minister is satisfied the offence was of a minor nature and would not have affected grant of naturalisation. Section 70(4) Minister can withdraw citizenship by sporting achievement or investment if obtained by false representation. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Paraguay | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Peru | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Philippines | Commonwealth Act no. 473, 18a | Withdrawal | Person obtained naturalisation by fraud or illegal means. | Generally applicable provision |
| Poland | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Portugal | POR 16, 18 in conjunction with art. 87-88 Civil Registry Code | Nullification | Persons acquired citizenship based on false information or a non-existent fact. | Generally applicable provision |
| Qatar | QAT 12(1) | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship by fraud. | Generally applicable provision |
| Romania | ROM 25(1)c | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship due to fraud. | Generally applicable provision |
| Russia | RUS 22, 23 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on false documents or false information. It has to be judicially established whether fraud has taken place, upon which the authority which took the decision about the acquisition of citizenship annuls that decision. The annulment is effective from the day when the decision to annul is taken. | Generally applicable provision |
| Rwanda | RWA 19(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired or recovered citizenship in accordance with the law but by false statements or documents, fraud, corruption, etc. | Generally applicable provision |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Const 94(d), STK 8, 9(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Saint Lucia | Const 103b, STL 9(2)a | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Const 94b, STV 14(2)a | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Samoa | Citizenship Act 2004 s 17; Citizenship Investment Act 2015 s19(f); Citizenship Investment Act 2015 s19(a),(b) |
Withdrawal;Withdrawal | Minister can order a person be deprived of citizenship if it was obtained by means of fraud, false representation, concealment of any material fact or mistake. For citizenship by investment only: Person or family member provided false or misleading statement or information upon which the application was granted.; Citizenship by investment may be cancelled if investor fails to carry out the qualifying investment or maintain pre-determined net worth. |
Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Sao Tome and Principe | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Saudi Arabia | SAU 22 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship through cheating, lying or falsifying witnesses, documents or information. | Generally applicable provision |
| Senegal | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Serbia | SER 45 | Nullification | Person has intentionally provided false or misleading information or held back information, which was decisive for the acquisition of citizenship. Provision does not apply if person would thereby become stateless. | Generally applicable provision |
| Seychelles | SEY 11 | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and the Minister is satisfied that citizenship has been acquired by fraud, false representation or concealment of material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Sierra Leone | No provision (But see mode L08) | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Singapore | Const 129(2), 129(7) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact, or acquisition was effected or granted by mistake. Government must be satisfied that deprivation is conducive to the public good. Loss due to fraud can result in statelessness. Loss due to mistake cannot result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Slovakia | SLK 8(b)1 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship with falsified documents or documents that did not belong to him/her, or the person failed to inform the authorities of facts that could have substantial influence on the decision, or citizenship was acquired as a result of a crime, or the documents to acquire citizenship were obtained through criminal action. | Generally applicable provision |
| Slovenia | SLN 16(1) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false declarations or deliberate concealment of essential facts or circumstances. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Solomon Islands | Citizenship Act 2018 s 25(1) | Withdrawal | Person gave false or misleading information in application for citizenship, which would have lead to refusal of application | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Somalia | SOM 11(1)(a) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen who acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| South Africa | SA 8(1) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact, or certificate was granted in conflict with the law. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| South Korea | ROK 21 | Withdrawal | Person (re)acquired citizenship by deceit or other wrongful means. | Generally applicable provision |
| South Sudan | SSU 15(2)(a) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and has acquired citizenship by fraud, misrepresentation of a material fact, or provision of false information. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Spain | SPA 25(2) | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship, other than by birth (‘de origen’), by fraud, falsity, or concealment of information (time limit: 15 years). Loss does not have detrimental effects on third parties in good faith. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Sri Lanka | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Sudan | SUD 6(2), 11(1)(a) | Withdrawal | Person obtained recognition of citizenship by birth or acquired citizenship by naturalisation through fraud, forgery, misrepresentation or concealment of any material fact. | Generally applicable provision |
| Suriname | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Swaziland | Const 49(1)(a), 54 | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and acquisition is declared by a court to have been procured by fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts. Citizenship Board may also revoke a certificate of citizenship for good cause. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Sweden | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Switzerland | SWI 36 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on false information or concealment of relevant facts (time limit: 8 years and withdrawal must take place within 2 years after discovery fraudulent behaviour). | Generally applicable provision |
| Syria | SYR 20 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship by fraud. | Generally applicable provision |
| Taiwan | TAI 19 | Withdrawal | Person has acquired citizenship in a manner not in conformity with the Citizenship Act. Citizenship can be revoked within two years of discovering. Citizenship may not be revoked if five years or more have passed since citizenship was acquired, unless it concerns a fraudulent marriage or adoption. | Generally applicable provision |
| Tajikistan | TAJ 24 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship on the basis of intentionally false information and forged documents (as established by a court). Time limit: within 5 years of acquisition. | Generally applicable provision |
| Tanzania | TAN 15(1) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Togo | TOG 41 | Withdrawal | Person has knowingly made a false declaration, presented documents containing false information or used fraudulent means to acquire naturalisation. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Tonga | Nationality Act s 12(1) | Withdrawal | King may order the revocation of certificate of naturalisation obtained by false representation or fraud | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Trinidad and Tobago | TRI 14(2) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by registration or naturalisation based on fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Tunisia | TUN 36-37 | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and it is discovered within a period of 2 years from the date of acquisition that he/she has not fulfiled the requirements for naturalisation or committed fraud in the naturalisation process. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Turkey | TUR 31 | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false information or concealment of relevant facts. | Generally applicable provision |
| Turkmenistan | TUR 17 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship as a result of the submission of intentionally false information or forged documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Tuvalu | Citizenship Act s 7(5) | Withdrawal | Found by a court to have obtained citizenship by false statement may be deprived of citizenship, unless the offence is of a minor nature and would not have affected the grant of registration or naturalisation | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Uganda | UGA 17(1)(c) | Withdrawal | Person is a naturalised citizen and has acquired citizenship by fraud, deceit, bribery or intentional false statements. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Ukraine | UKR 19(2);
UKR 21 |
Withdrawal;Nullification | Person has acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false information or by deliberately supplying false documents. Citizenship is lost from the moment the decision about loss is adopted;
Person has acquired citizenship pursuant to UKR 8 (territorial origin) or UKR 10 (re-acquisition of citizenship) based on false information, deliberately supplied false documents or concealment of relevant facts that would have prevented the acquisition of citizenship. |
Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| United Arab Emirates | UAE 16(2) | Nullification | Person acquired citizenship based on forged data, fraud or deception. | Generally applicable provision |
| United Kingdom | UK 40(3) | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by declaration or naturalisation as a result of fraud, false representation or concealment of relevant facts. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| United States of America | INA 340(a) | Nullification | Person’s naturalisation was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or wilful misrepresentation. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Uruguay | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No provision |
| Uzbekistan | UZB 21 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship on the basis of deliberate false information or forged documents. | Generally applicable provision |
| Vanuatu | Citizenship Act s 14(2); Citizenship (Entitled Persons) Act s7(a) |
Nullification;Release | Person will cease to be a citizen if found by a court to have obtained citizenship by false representation, fraud or concealment of a material fact. Citizenship ceases 30 days after such finding, unless during that time the Prime Minister publishes a declaration confirming citizenship on the grounds he or she is satisfied that the offence was of a minor nature and that the revealing of the true facts would not have affected the grant of naturalization.; Declaration by court that person was ineligible for registration as a citizen by descent. |
Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Venezuela | VEN 41, 43, 48(8) | Nullification | Person is a citizen by naturalisation who acquired citizenship based on false documents (time limit: 10 years). Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Vietnam | VIE 33 | Withdrawal | Person acquired citizenship by naturalisation based on false declarations or forged papers (time limit: 10 years). Place of residence is immaterial. Loss can result in statelessness. | Loss only applies to certain categories of citizens |
| Yemen | YEM 18(c) | Nullification | Person has given inaccurate testimonies relating to acquisition of citizenship. | Generally applicable provision |
| Zambia | Const 40(1)(b), ZAM 28 | Withdrawal | Person obtained citizenship by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact. | Generally applicable provision |
| Zimbabwe | Const 39(1)(a) and (2)(a), ZIM 11(1) and (2)(a) | Withdrawal | Person obtained recognition or acquired citizenship by fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact. | Generally applicable provision |
Source: Globalcit
