Okuzeka
Immigration & Visas vocabulary · Citizenship & Naturalisation

Citizenship

Meaning in immigration & visas, with examples

/ˈsɪtɪzənʃɪp/nounCore term

In immigration & visas, citizenship means: The legal status of being a full member of a country, with rights such as voting and holding its passport, and duties such as obeying its laws.

In Turkish: vatandaşlık

How it is used

Depending on the country, citizenship can come from birth, from your parents, or later through naturalisation after years of residence or marriage. People apply for, acquire, hold, give up or renounce citizenship. Nationality is a near synonym used in passports and forms.

Example sentences

  1. After eight years in Canada, she finally applied for citizenship.

  2. Do you hold citizenship of any other country?

Common collocations

  • apply for citizenship
  • acquire citizenship
  • hold citizenship
  • renounce citizenship
  • citizenship application
  • naturalisationThe legal process by which a foreign citizen becomes a citizen of the country where they live, usually after several years of residence.
  • dual citizenshipThe status of being a citizen of two countries at the same time, with the rights and duties of both.
  • citizenship testAn exam about a country's history, laws, government and way of life that many countries require before granting citizenship or permanent residence.
  • citizenship ceremonyA formal event where new citizens make an oath or pledge of loyalty and officially receive their citizenship.
  • statelessNot recognised as a citizen by any country, which can make it hard to get documents, travel, work or use public services.

More terms: Citizenship & Naturalisation

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.