While international freedom was once only an option for those with strong passports, today there is a much more level playing field. Thanks to citizenship by investment schemes, anyone with the means can open the door to a second passport, more freedom to travel and a stable, secure home from home.

But as the popularity of such schemes increases, so too do questions about their mechanics. One often posed query is, can second citizenship be revoked? In this article, we’ll explore the answers to this question and the ways to ensure you always adhere to any laws, stipulations and conditions regarding your second citizenship.

Can second citizenship be revoked?

The short answer is yes. But it is not quite that simple. Under certain conditions second citizenship can be revoked. However, this is usually an extreme occurrence and is highly unlikely to take place providing you follow the laws of the issuing country and the conditions of the method by which you gained full citizenship.

Providing you are open and honest on your citizenship application, meet all the stipulations required for naturalization and continue to be a law-abiding citizen, the chances of your citizenship being revoked are incredibly slim.

However, it is certainly not impossible. So, it’s important that you are aware and conscious of the reasons why you may find yourself in such a position.

Common reasons for revocation

While revocation of citizenship is rare, when it does occur, it is usually for one of the following reasons.

Fraud or misrepresentation

One of the most common reasons for losing citizenship is lying or omitting key information on your application. This could mean using falsified documents, hiding a criminal past, misrepresenting source of funds or intentionally exaggerating your wealth and financial position.

Should you be found to have misrepresented your circumstances in any way on a citizenship application form, not only could you lose your citizenship, but you may also be prosecuted by the issuing country.

Criminal convictions

As well as losing your citizenship for hiding crimes committed before your application, it is also possible to lose your citizenship for major crimes committed afterwards. Some countries may have a threshold, such as length of sentence or severity of crime, for which your citizenship will be revoked.

If such a crime is committed very shortly after naturalisation, there is usually an increased chance of citizenship revocation.

National security

Many countries will revoke citizenship should they have concerns regarding national security. This could mean engaging in any activities relating to terrorism or espionage. Countries may also revoke citizenship if they find the original source of funds to be related to these acts, even if the passport holder was not directly involved.

Some countries reserve the right to revoke your citizenship if you join the military or government of another nation – particularly one that they do not have strong relations with.

Failure to meet obligations

Most citizenship by investment schemes require you to invest in the country in question for a specific period of time. Failure to maintain these investments or meet the required residency conditions may result in your citizenship being revoked.

How to Protect Your Second Citizenship

Second citizenship is highly prized, opening the door to international freedom, high quality of life and numerous business benefits and opportunities. Should you be fortunate enough to secure it, it’s paramount that you do all you can to meet your responsibilities as a citizen, to ensure you are able to realise these benefits indefinitely.

Honesty and openness

One of the easiest ways to protect your second citizenship is to be completely transparent when making your application. If the immigration authorities make a positive decision on your application when in possession of all the facts, they will have no need to reverse their decision when new information comes to light.

Put simply, lying on an application is one of the most straightforward reasons for revoking citizenship – and one of the easiest to avoid.

Follow the rules

Most citizenship by investment programs have rules and conditions that must be met. These usually relate to your presence in the country and your investments into business, real estate and government instruments. These responsibilities will be laid out for you before your naturalisation. All you need to do is ensure that these conditions are met for the minimum agreed periods. Fail to do so and you may lose your passport – and with it, your right to live, work and retire in your new home from home.

Criminal activity

While revocation of citizenship usually only takes place in the event of serious criminal activity, maintaining a clean criminal record is always advisable when becoming a citizen of another country. The fewer reasons you can give a country to potentially revoke your citizenship, the better. And staying out of trouble with the law is always a good place to start.

Licensed agents

Working with a licensed agent gives you peace of mind that your application is made in accordance with all relevant legislation. An expert in the field, such as Knightsbridge, will ensure your application is complete and correct, and carry out due diligence to facilitate a fast and successful process.