Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship
Two passports at the same time. Most CBI countries allow it (Grenada, Dominica, Malta, Turkey). Some prohibit it (China, the UAE, Singapore). Russia allows it but requires notification within 60 days.
- What it is
- When a person is a citizen of two countries at once and holds two passports
- In investment programmes
- The goal is usually to obtain a second passport while keeping the first
- Who allows it
- Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts, Malta, Turkey and others
- Who prohibits it
- Some countries (China, the UAE, Singapore) do not recognise a second citizenship
- Can you prepare
- Yes: check compatibility and any notification duty in advance
In plain words
Dual citizenship means that a person holds two passports at the same time and is legally regarded as a citizen of two countries. For investment migration this is a key question: it is almost always about obtaining a second passport while keeping the first.
Not every country allows it. Most countries with investment programmes — Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts, Malta, Turkey — readily permit dual citizenship and do not require you to give up your previous passport. A number of states, however (China, the UAE, Singapore), do not recognise a second citizenship for their nationals, and on acquiring a foreign passport the previous one may be lost. So the first thing we look at is the rules of your own country.
A separate issue is the duty to notify your authorities. In Russia, for example, a second citizenship or residence permit must be reported within 60 days, or liability follows. This does not in itself prohibit having a second passport — it is a requirement to report it.
Why dual citizenship is useful
What matters with dual citizenship
- Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts
- Malta, Turkey
- Most investment programmes
- China, UAE, Singapore
- Do not recognise a second one
- The previous passport at risk
- Notifying your authorities
- Deadlines (e.g. 60 days in Russia)
- Liability for silence
- Your country’s rules
- The new country’s rules
- Compatibility of the two statuses
How to obtain a second passport without problems with the first
- 01Check your country’s rules
- 02Choose a compatible programme
- 03Obtain the second passport
- 04Notify the authorities (where required)
- 05The two statuses coexist calmly
What you need to know
- Most investment programmes allow dual citizenship
- Some countries (China, the UAE, Singapore) do not recognise a second citizenship
- In some places the authorities must be notified of a second passport (in Russia within 60 days)
- Notification is a duty to report, not a ban on holding the passport
- The first thing to check is the rules of your own country
Common mistakes
- Not checking whether your country recognises a second citizenship
- Missing the deadline to notify of a second passport
- Assuming a second passport changes your taxes (it does not)
- Choosing a country without regard to compatibility with your current status
- Forgetting your obligations to both countries
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We check in advance whether the chosen citizenship is compatible with your current one and what notification duties will arise for you, so that the second passport causes no problems with the first. We choose the programme so that both statuses coexist calmly.
Frequently asked questions
01 /Will I have to give up my first passport?
In most investment programmes, no — they allow dual citizenship. Renunciation may be required only if your current country does not recognise a second citizenship.
02 /Do I need to tell my authorities about a second passport?
In some countries, yes. In Russia, for example, a second citizenship or residence permit must be notified within 60 days. It is a duty to report; holding the second passport itself is permitted.
03 /Which countries prohibit dual citizenship?
Among others, China, the UAE and Singapore: they do not recognise a second citizenship for their nationals. We check the rules of your particular country first.
04 /Does a second passport change my taxes?
Not by itself. Taxes are determined by tax residence, not citizenship. A second passport does not automatically make you a tax resident of the new country.
05 /Which passport should I travel on?
Usually you enter a country on the passport that gives better terms (visa-free access, citizen’s rights). At the same time, it is important to follow the entry and exit rules of each of your countries of citizenship.
06 /Is dual citizenship passed on to children?
As a rule, yes: children included in the programme or born to citizens acquire citizenship and can hold two passports — under the same compatibility rules.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
A second passport without problems with the first?
We will check the compatibility of the citizenships and the notification duties and choose a programme so that both statuses coexist.