Citizenship

Citizenship is the legal bond between a person and a state that confers certain rights, duties, and protections. It typically grants the right to reside and work in the country, to obtain a passport, to receive state protection abroad, and to participate in political life through voting or holding public office (subject to age and other eligibility). It also provides access to public services and social benefits. In return, citizens owe allegiance to the state and are expected to follow its laws, and in some countries may owe taxes or perform other duties such as military or civilian service.

Citizenship can be acquired in several ways. The most common are by birth within a state (jus soli) or by descent from a citizen parent (jus sanguinis). It can also be obtained through naturalization after meeting residence requirements, language or civics tests, good character, and integration criteria. Some jurisdictions grant citizenship by registration or after marriage to a citizen. Citizenship may be held singly or jointly with other citizenships; many countries permit dual or multiple citizenship, though this is not universal.

Citizenship can be lost or revoked in certain circumstances, such as voluntary renunciation, loss of another citizenship in some regimes, or revocation for fraud, misrepresentation, or national security concerns. Statelessness occurs when a person is not considered a citizen by any state, an issue addressed by international law and conventions.

The concept intersects with questions of national identity, sovereignty, migration, and human rights. International norms, including the right to a nationality in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, aim to reduce statelessness and ensure people have a valid legal bond with a state.