Updated
GL-O-02
Glossary · Statuses, passports, travel
Oath of allegiance - the last step before you become a citizen
The oath of allegiance to a country — the final step in a number of citizenship and naturalisation programs. It sometimes requires a short personal visit, often combined with biometrics.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- An oath of allegiance to the country — the final step in a number of citizenship programmes
- Where it applies
- Some citizenship programmes and naturalisation
- What it means
- The formal acceptance of citizenship and its obligations
- Distinctive feature
- Sometimes requires a short in-person visit
- Can you prepare
- Yes: plan the visit and combine it with biometrics
02 / In plain words
What Oath of allegiance means
An oath of allegiance is a solemn undertaking to obey the laws of a country and be loyal to it, made on acquiring citizenship. In a number of programmes and almost all naturalisation procedures it is the final formal step: after it you officially become a citizen.
Not every programme has an oath, and where one is required the format differs: in some places it is taken at a citizenship ceremony, in others signing a document is enough. Sometimes the oath requires a short in-person visit to the country or a consulate — one of the few reasons in-person attendance may be needed.
That is why the oath is planned together with other in-person steps. If the programme requires a visit, it is combined where possible with biometrics and collecting documents so as not to travel twice. Otherwise it is a quick formality that completes the long road to a passport.
In Vanuatu the oath is taken online, by video call, every day at 9:00 Moscow time. It is held right after Commission approval and payment of the contribution, with no need to travel to the islands. Biometrics are given separately, in person.
A case from practice
After the application is approved, the applicant is scheduled to take the oath, which requires a short visit. They fly in once and combine the oath with biometrics and collecting the passport so as not to travel again. It is the last formal step before they become a citizen.
Where an oath is required
- The final step in citizenship programmes
- Naturalisation
- A citizenship ceremony
- Receiving the passport
- Combining with biometrics
- Planning an in-person visit
03 / What it covers
What matters about the oath
What it is
- Loyalty to the country
- Obeying the laws
- The final step
Format
- At a ceremony
- Or a signature
- Depends on the country
Visit
- Sometimes in person
- In the country or at a consulate
- One of the reasons for a visit
Planning
- Combine with biometrics
- And collecting documents
- Not travelling twice
04 / How it works
Where the oath sits in the process
Application approval
The state approves the application; the contribution or fee is paid.
Scheduling the oath/ceremony
A ceremony date or an online format.
In-person visit (if required)
If needed, we combine it with biometrics and passport issue.
Oath
You speak or sign the oath.
Citizenship and passport
A citizenship certificate, then the passport.
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01What it is
A commitment to the country
A promise to obey the laws and be loyal to the country, given when you receive citizenship.
02Where it applies
Not in every programme
Almost always on naturalisation and in some investment programmes. The format varies: a ceremony or signing a document.
03In person
Sometimes required
If the oath is taken in the country or at a consulate, the visit is combined with biometrics and collecting the passport.
04Vanuatu
Online every day
The oath is taken by video at 9:00 Moscow time right after approval and payment of the contribution. Only biometrics are done in person.
Common mistakes
Not checking whether the programme requires an oath
Check the format and place of the oath before applying.
Travelling twice
Combine the oath with biometrics and collecting documents.
Leaving the oath out of the timeline
Include the ceremony date in the plan from filing to passport.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Find out in advance whether your programme has an oath and whether it requires an in-person visit. If so, the visit is planned and, where possible, combined with biometrics and collecting documents so as not to travel twice. Then the final step goes quickly and without unnecessary trips.
What we do for you. We confirm in advance whether your programme requires an oath and a visit, and plan this step so as to combine it with biometrics and collecting documents. Everything that can be done remotely we do remotely, so that in-person attendance is kept to a minimum.
Klara RihterBanking compliance and source of funds specialist
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
An undertaking to obey the laws of a country and be loyal to it, made on acquiring citizenship. In a number of programmes it is the final formal step.
No. It does not exist everywhere, and the format differs: in some places at a ceremony, in others signing a document is enough. This is confirmed for the particular programme.
Sometimes, yes — the oath may require a short visit to the country or a consulate. It is one of the few reasons for in-person attendance.
Yes, and it is convenient: the oath is often combined with biometrics and receiving the passport so as not to travel twice.
The formal acceptance of citizenship and its obligations. A citizen’s specific obligations depend on the country.
As a rule, yes: after the oath you officially become a citizen and receive a passport. It completes the journey.
Related terms
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