Nationality of Bhutan: all obtaining pathways
Bhutan keeps one of the world’s most restrictive naturalisation regimes: twenty years of residence for the ordinary route —fifteen for Government employees and children of citizens—, with discretionary decisions by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Registration by Bhutanese origin is also discretionary and nationality passes by descent.
1Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive)
Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive)
Requirements
- Aged 21 — 15 where either parent is a Bhutanese citizen (Citizenship Act 1985, s. 3(a))
- Residence in Bhutan: 15 YEARS for GOVERNMENT employees and for applicants with a citizen parent; 20 YEARS in all other cases — period recorded with the Department of Immigration and Census (s. 3(c))
- Mentally sound (s. 3(b))
- Speak, read and write DZONGKHA proficiently (s. 3(d))
- Good knowledge of Bhutanese culture, customs, traditions and history (s. 3(e)) + Ministry oral tests
- Good moral character, no criminal imprisonment record in Bhutan or elsewhere (s. 3(f))
- No record of speech or acts against the King, Country and People (s. 3(g))
- No record of indignity to the Parents of the Nation...
- The Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision is FINAL AND BINDING; the Royal Government may REJECT any application WITHOUT assigning reasons
- Oath of Allegiance (Form KHA) and grant of the royal KASHO by His Majesty the King (s. 5)
- Naturalisation may be REVOKED at any time for fraud or acts against the King (s. 6)
Documentation
- Foreign passport with a residence permit
- Criminal record certificate
- Dzongkha-knowledge certificate
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
- Certificates of employment in Bhutan
- Formal application to the Ministry of Home Affairs
2By descent (ius sanguinis)
By descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Bhutanese citizen
- Both parents must be Bhutanese citizens for automatic transmission
- If only one parent is Bhutanese, government approval is required
- Bhutan does not allow dual citizenship
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Parents' Citizenship Identity Card
- Registration with the local authorities
3By registration (people of Bhutanese origin)
By registration (people of Bhutanese origin)
Requirements
- People whose parents or grandparents were Bhutanese citizens
- Demonstrating cultural and linguistic ties with Bhutan
- Renouncing any other citizenship
Documentation
- Documents proving Bhutanese ancestry
- Dzongkha-knowledge certificate
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Bhutan
How many years of residence does Bhutan require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Bhutan (Naturalization by residence (extremely restrictive)), the term is 20 years (15 for Government employees or children of a Bhutanese citizen) (Citizenship Act 1985, s. 3(c)). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
What documentation does naturalization in Bhutan require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Foreign passport with a residence permit; Criminal record certificate; Dzongkha-knowledge certificate; Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship; Certificates of employment in Bhutan; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Bhutan?
Bhutan provides 3 pathways: Naturalization by residence, By descent, By registration.
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Anything to correct or add about Bhutan?
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