Jus soli or birthright citizenship is the right of anyone born in the territory of a state to nationality or citizenship. A restricted version of jus soli in which citizenship by birthplace is automatic only for the children of certain immigrants.
The second generation refers to the U.S.-born children of foreign-born parents.
Below is the list of countries that offer automatic or citizenship by declaration to second generation children born to foreign parents.
Country | Mode | Target Person | Year | Article in law | Procedure | Conditions | Changes since 1985 |
Afghanistan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Albania | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | 8(3) | Declaration | Person is born to parents of another country who are lawful residents in Albania and they give their consent to acquisition of citizenship. | 1998: introduced |
Algeria | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Angola | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Antigua and Barbuda | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 113a | Automatic | Person is born in A&B. Unless the child is born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Argentina | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | ARG 1(1), 1(3), 1(5) | Automatic | Person is born in Argentina. Unless parents are foreign diplomats. | No major changes |
Armenia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Australia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | AUS 12 | Automatic | Person is born in Australia to parent with permanent residence status. | The modified ius soli rule (requiring birth in Australia to a citizen or permanent resident) entered into force on 20 August 1986. Prior to 1986, automatic ius soli applied. |
Austria | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Azerbaijan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Bahamas | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No information |
Bahrain | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Bangladesh | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | BAN 4 | Automatic | Person is born in Bangladesh. Unless born to a father who is a foreign diplomat and not a citizen of Bangladesh, or the father is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. (Note: no practice is reported in this regard and Bangladesh does not apply the ius soli principle, but ius soli acquisition is arguably possible under BAN 4.) | No major changes |
Barbados | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 4 | Automatic | Person is born in Barbados. Unless the child is born to a father who is a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Belarus | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Belgium | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | BEL 11(2) | Declaration | Child is born to non-citizens who have lived in Belgium at least 10 years before the birth of the child and who have filed a citizenship claim for the child before the age of 12 years. | 1992, 2006, 2012 |
Belize | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 24, BEL 5(1), 5(3) | Automatic | Person is born in Belize. Unless the child is born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Benin | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Bhutan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Bolivia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 141, Law no. 584, 94 | Automatic | Person is born in Bolivia. Unless parents are foreign diplomats. | No major changes |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Botswana | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 1966 Independence constitution provided for ius soli attribution. Repealed in stages and totally removed by 1995 amendment. |
Brazil | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 12(1)(a), BRA 1(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Brazil. Unless parents are in the service of their country (e.g. diplomats). OR person is born in Brazil to a parent who is the service of his/her foreign country and another parent who is a Brazilian citizen or a foreign citizen not in the service of his/her country. | BRA 2 (introduced in 1949), which provided for acquisition by declaration, was abolished in 1988 due to incompatibility with the Constitution. Acquisition thereby became automatic. |
Brunei | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | BRU 4(1)a | Automatic | Person is born in Brunei and belongs to one of the specified indigenous groups of the Malay race. | No information |
Bulgaria | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Burkina Faso | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Burundi | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Cambodia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Cameroon | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Canada | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | CAN 3(1)a, 3(2) | Automatic | Person is born in Canada. Unless parents are foreign diplomats. | No major changes |
Cape Verde | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | CV 8(b) | Declaration | Person is born in Cape Verde to parents who have been habitually resident for at least 5 years and are not in the service of another state. | 1976 Nationality Code provided for automatic ius soli. Not known if current version was introduced in 1987 or 1990. |
Central African Republic | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Chad | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | CHA 12 | Automatic | Person is born in Chad. If both parents have the same citizenship, child can opt for the other citizenship. | No major changes |
Chile | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 10(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit.
Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit. Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit. Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit. Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit. Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit. Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit. Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit. Person is born in Chile. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or foreigners in transit.
|
No major changes. But Resolution 3227 of 8 October 2014, issued by the Civil Registry, instructs Chilean officials to interpret the term “in transit” restrictively. |
China | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Colombia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 96(1)a, COL 1(1)a | Automatic | Person is born in Colombia to non-citizens who are domiciled in the country at the time of birth. | 2005: domicile became explicitly defined as legal residence (i.e. having a residence visa). |
Comoros | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Costa Rica | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 13(3), COS 1(3), 10 | Registration (entitlement) | Person is born in Costa Rica to non-citizens and is registered as a citizen by a parent during minority, or registers him/herself before reaching the age of 25. | No information |
Croatia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Cuba | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 29(a) | Automatic | Person is born in Cuba. Unless parents are foreign diplomats or employees of an international organization. | No information |
Cyprus | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Czech Republic | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Denmark | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Djibouti | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Dominica | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 98 | Automatic | Person is born in Dominica. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Dominican Republic | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 18(3) | Automatic | Person is born in the DR. Unless born to foreign diplomats, foreigners ‘in transit’, and those residing illegally in the country. | No information |
East Timor | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Ecuador | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 7(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Ecuador. | No information |
Egypt | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
El Salvador | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 90(1) | Automatic | Person is born in El Salvador. | 1983: introduced. |
Equatorial Guinea | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 1990 law appeared to provide for automatic ius soli for resident foreigners (though drafting was not clear). |
Eritrea | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Estonia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Ethiopia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Finland | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
France | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Gabon | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Gambia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 1997 constitution removed 1970 constitution provision for ius soli. |
Georgia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Germany | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | GER 4(3) | Automatic | Person is born in Germany to a citizen of another country who has been resident in Germany for 8 years, or to a citizen of Switzerland who holds a permanent residence permit. | 2000, 2005 |
Ghana | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Greece | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | Provision was repealed as a result of Decision 460/2013 of the Council of State (February 2013) |
Grenada | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 96 | Automatic | Person is born in Grenada. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Guatemala | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 144 | Automatic | Person is born in Guatemala. Unless parents are foreign diplomats. | No information |
Guinea | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Guinea Bissau | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Guyana | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 43 | Automatic | Person is born in Guyana. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Haiti | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | HAI 2(3) | Automatic | Person is born in Haiti to a father who is an alien and of the African race, or, in case of non-recognition, to a mother who is an alien and of the African race. | No information |
Honduras | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 23(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Honduras. Unless parents are foreign diplomats. | No major changes |
Hungary | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Iceland | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
India | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 1986: automatic ius soli was repealed. |
Indonesia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Iran | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Iraq | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 2006 |
Ireland | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | IRE 6(1),(2), 6A, 6B | Automatic | Person is born in Ireland to a citizen, or to a person with permanent residence in Ireland or the UK, or to a person who was resident in Ireland for 3 out of the last 4 years. | 2001, 2004 |
Israel | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | ISR 2(b)(3) | automatic | Person is born in Israel after the establishment of the State (citizenship ‘by return’). This only applies if at least one parent was registered in the Population Register at the time of the person’s birth (see ISR 2(c)(5)). The clause means that the 1950 Law of Return only applies to these individuals, who must necessarily be Jewis). It does not provide a form of ius soli. | No major changes |
Italy | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Jamaica | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 3B | Automatic | Person is born in Jamaica. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. Person is deemed to be born in the country if at the time of birth the mother is a citizen residing abroad in the diplomatic service of Jamaica, or if -regardless whether she is a citizen- the mother resides abroad as the spouse of a citizen who works in the diplomatic service of Jamaica. | No information |
Japan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Kazakhstan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Kenya | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 1985: ius soli acquisition was repealed. |
Kosovo | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | KOS 7(3) | Declaration | Person is born to parents of another country who have a permanent residence permit in Kosovo and they give their consent to acquisition of citizenship. | 2008: introduced
2011: ‘valid residence permit’ was replaced with ‘permanent residence permit’.2008: introduced 2011: ‘valid residence permit’ was replaced with ‘permanent residence permit’.2008: introduced 2011: ‘valid residence permit’ was replaced with ‘permanent residence permit’.2008: introduced 2011: ‘valid residence permit’ was replaced with ‘permanent residence permit’.2008: introduced 2011: ‘valid residence permit’ was replaced with ‘permanent residence permit’.2008: introduced 2011: ‘valid residence permit’ was replaced with ‘permanent residence permit’. |
Kuwait | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Kyrgyzstan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Laos | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Latvia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Lebanon | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Lesotho | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 38(1)-(2) | Automatic | Person is born in Lesotho. Unless one parent has diplomatic status, or the parent is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place controlled by the enemy, and the other parent is not a citizen. | Gender discrimination in 1970 independence constitution was removed in 1993. |
Liberia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | LIB 20.1 | Automatic | Person is born in Liberia and is a Negro or of Negro descent. | Same provision included in 1956 consolidation of nationality laws in Liberia. |
Libya | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Liechtenstein | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Lithuania | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Luxembourg | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Macedonia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Madagascar | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Malawi | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Malaysia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 14(1)b, Second Schedule Part II under (1)a, 2 | Automatic | Person is born in Malaysia to a permanently resident foreigner. Unless born to a father who is a foreign diplomat, or the father is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | 1962: introduced. Between 31 August 1957 (Independence Day) and September 1962: unconditional ius soli. |
Mali | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Malta | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Mauritania | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Mauritius | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 1995 amendments to constitution removed ius soli and required one parent to be a citizen. |
Mexico | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 30A(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Mexico. | Derogated in 1934, when universal ius soli was introduced: person is born to foreign parents and citizenship is ratified upon reaching legal age, subject to a 6-year residence requirement. |
Moldova | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | MOL 11(1)(c) | Registration | Person is born in Moldova to foreign parents or to one foreign and one stateless parent. | 2003 |
Mongolia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No information |
Montenegro | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Morocco | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Mozambique | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 24 | Automatic | Person is born in Mozambique after independence. Other conditions: if one parent is in the employment of another country, the person must declare that s/he wishes to be Mozambican either through legal representatives or on own behalf, during the year after s/he turns 18. | 1975 law (as amended in 1987) has a similar provision. |
Myanmar | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Namibia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 4(1)(d) | Automatic | Person is born in Namibia to a person who is ordinarily resident at the time of birth. Other conditions: parents are not enjoying diplomatic immunity, nor represent another country, nor members of any police or military unit seconded for service in Namibia, nor illegal immigrants. | 1990 |
Nepal | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Netherlands | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
New Zealand | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | NEZ 6(1) | Automatic | Person was born in the country on/after 1 January 1949 and before 1 January 2006 (after 2006 a parent must also be an existing citizen or entitled to be in NZ indefinitely). | Amended by s 5(1) of the Citizenship Amendment Act (2005 No 43). |
Nicaragua | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 16(1), NIC 45(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Nicaragua. Unless born to foreign diplomats, foreign employees of international organizations, or those sent by their national governments to work in Nicaragua. | 2011: elimination of the requirement that dual nationals had to ‘reaffirm’ (ratificar) or renounce their Nicaraguan citizenship within 2 years after reaching the age of majority or being emancipated. |
Niger | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Nigeria | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No povision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
North Korea | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Norway | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Oman | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 2014 |
Pakistan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | PAK 4 | Automatic | Person is born in Pakistan. Unless born to a father who is a foreign diplomat and not a citizen of Pakistan, or the father is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No major changes |
Panama | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 9(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Panama. | No major changes |
Paraguay | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 146(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Paraguay. | No major changes |
Peru | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 52, PER 2(1), Supreme Decree no. 004-97-IN, 4(a) | Automatic | Person is born in Peru. | No major changes |
Philippines | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Poland | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Portugal | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | POR 1(1)(e) | Declaration | Person is born in Portugal to a person who has been resident there for 5 years. | 2006 |
Qatar | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 2005 |
Romania | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Russia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Rwanda | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 91(a) | Automatic | Person is born in St Kitts. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Saint Lucia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 100, STL 4 | Automatic | Person is born in St Lucia. Unless born to a father who is a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or the father is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 91, STV 4 | Automatic | Person is born in St Vincent. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Sao Tome and Principe | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 3(1), STP 5(1)(f) | Automatic | Person is born in STP to foreign parents who reside there and are not in the service of another state. | No major changes |
Saudi Arabia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Senegal | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Serbia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Seychelles | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | 1993: remains of original ius soli provisions included in 1976 independence constitution were repealed. |
Sierra Leone | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Singapore | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Slovakia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Slovenia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Somalia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
South Africa | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
South Korea | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
South Sudan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Spain | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Sri Lanka | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Sudan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Suriname | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | SUR 3c | Automatic | Person is born in Suriname and does not have citizenship of another country. | 2014: introduced. Prior to 2014, this provision only applied to a child born in Suriname, without the citizenship of another country, and without a father (either by law or by recognition/legitimation). |
Swaziland | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Sweden | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Switzerland | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Syria | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Taiwan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Tajikistan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Tanzania | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | TAN 5 | Automatic | Person is born in Tanzania unless father has diplomatic immunity and mother is not a citizen, or either parent is an enemy and birth takes place in territory occupied by the enemy. (Note: in practice, the notional provision is not applied and has been overruled by the state’s legal office. The Tanzanian authorities thus interpret the ius soli provision to require one parent to be a citizen.) | No major changes |
Thailand | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | THA 7(2), 7bis, 8 | Automatic | Person is born in Thailand, except when one of the parents has been given leniency for temporary residence in Thailand as a special case, has been permitted to stay temporarily in Thailand, has entered and resided in Thailand illegally, or is a foreign diplomat, member of an international organisation or a family member thereof. Minister is explicitly allowed to grant citizenship despite the person falling under one of the exceptions. | 1992: introduction of exceptions. However, under Por Wor 337 (in force from 14 Dec 1972-25 Feb 1992) citizenship was already refused to children born in Thailand to an alien father with non-permanent residence, or -in circumstances where the lawful father is absent- an alien mother with non-permanent residence. |
Togo | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Trinidad and Tobago | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 17(1)-(2) | Automatic | Person is born in T&T. Unless born to a foreign diplomat and neither parent is a citizen, or one of the parents is an enemy alien and the child is born in a place then under occupation by the enemy. | No information |
Turkey | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Turkmenistan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Uganda | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 10(a) and Schedule 3, UGA 12(a); Const 12(1), UGA 14(1) | Automatic; Naturalisation (entitlement) | Person is born in Uganda and one parent or grandparent is or was a member of one of the indigenous groups residing within borders of Uganda as established in 1926 and set out in the 3rd Schedule; Person is born in Uganda and neither parent nor any grandparent had either diplomatic or refugee status in Uganda, and the person has been continuously resident since 1962. | 1995 constitution introduced ethnic discrimination. 1999 act repeats the provisions of the constitution; 1995 constitution introduced ethnic discrimination. 1999 act repeats the provisions of the constitution. |
Ukraine | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
United Arab Emirates | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
United Kingdom | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | UK 1(1) | Automatic | Person is born in the UK to a parent who is resident there without immigration restrictions. | 2009 |
United States of America | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | INA 301(a), 302, 306, 307;
INA 301(e) |
Automatic;
Automatic |
Person is born in the United States, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands or Guam;
Person is born in an outlying possession of the United States to a parent who is a citizen and who has been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of 1 year at any time prior to the person’s birth. |
No major changes; No major changes |
Uruguay | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 74, URU 1 | Automatic | Person is born in Uruguay. | No major changes |
Uzbekistan | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Venezuela | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | Const 32(1), VEN 9(1) | Automatic | Person is born in Venezuela. | No major changes |
Vietnam | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Yemen | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Zambia | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Zimbabwe | A02a | Person born in a country (irrespective of the citizenship and birthplace of his/her parents) | 2016 | No provision | n.a. | n.a. | No major changes |
Source: GLOBALCIT (2017). Global Database on Modes of Acquisition of Citizenship, version 1.0. San Domenico di Fiesole: Global Citizenship Observatory / Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies / European University Institute. Available at: http://globalcit.eu/acquisition-citizenship/