Dual Citizenship for Arab Nationals in Irvine: Can You Keep Your Original Citizenship?
Understanding Dual Nationality Rules for Egyptian, Lebanese, Jordanian, and Other Arab Immigrants
Quick Answer
The United States does not require you to give up your original citizenship when naturalizing. However, your home country's laws determine whether you can maintain dual citizenship. Some Arab countries (like Lebanon and Syria) permit dual citizenship, while others (like Saudi Arabia and UAE) generally do not. Understanding both sets of laws is essential before making this important decision.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
Irvine's professional Arab community includes many immigrants who have built successful lives in the United States while maintaining strong ties to their home countries. When considering U.S. citizenship, a common question is whether you can keep your original citizenship. The answer depends on both U.S. law (which generally permits dual citizenship) and your home country's laws, which vary significantly among Arab nations.
U.S. Position on Dual Citizenship
- •U.S. law does not require giving up other citizenship
- •Naturalization oath mentions 'renouncing' other allegiances but isn't enforced
- •You can hold U.S. passport and foreign passport simultaneously
- •Must use U.S. passport to enter and leave United States
- •Foreign citizenship doesn't affect your U.S. citizenship
- •Children born abroad to U.S. citizens may have dual citizenship
- •U.S. does not notify home countries when you naturalize
- •Security clearances may consider dual citizenship
Dual Citizenship by Arab Country
| Country | Dual Citizenship Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Yes, with permission | Must notify government; can lose citizenship if not approved |
| Lebanon | Yes | Dual citizenship fully permitted |
| Jordan | Yes, with conditions | Must maintain Jordanian citizenship ties |
| Syria | Yes | Dual citizenship permitted |
| Iraq | Yes | Dual citizenship allowed |
| Palestine | Special status | Complex due to statelessness issues |
| Saudi Arabia | No | Must renounce Saudi citizenship |
| UAE | No | Must renounce Emirati citizenship |
| Kuwait | No | Must renounce Kuwaiti citizenship |
| Morocco | Yes | Cannot renounce Moroccan citizenship |
| Tunisia | Yes | Dual citizenship permitted |
| Algeria | Yes | Dual citizenship permitted |
| Yemen | Varies | Generally permitted but check current laws |
Egypt: Dual Citizenship with Notification
- •Must notify Egyptian government of intent to acquire foreign citizenship
- •Apply for permission from Ministry of Interior (Decree 70 of 1936)
- •Approval typically granted but not automatic
- •Can lose Egyptian citizenship if naturalized without permission
- •Egyptian women married to foreigners have easier path
- •Children of Egyptian fathers can retain Egyptian citizenship
- •Consult Egyptian consulate before naturalizing
- •Processing can take 6-12 months
Lebanon: Dual Citizenship Fully Permitted
- •No requirement to renounce Lebanese citizenship
- •No notification requirement to Lebanese government
- •Can hold Lebanese passport and U.S. passport
- •Lebanese citizenship passes to children
- •Can own property in Lebanon as citizen
- •Voting rights may apply in Lebanese elections
- •Many Lebanese-Americans travel with both passports
- •No special procedures needed
Jordan: Dual Citizenship with Conditions
- •Dual citizenship generally permitted
- •Must maintain ties to Jordan (passport renewal, etc.)
- •Male citizens have military service obligations
- •May need to resolve military status before naturalization
- •Property rights in Jordan maintained
- •Jordanian citizenship can pass to children
- •Special considerations for Palestinians with Jordanian citizenship
- •Consult Jordanian consulate for specific situation
Gulf Countries: Generally No Dual Citizenship
- •Saudi Arabia: Must renounce Saudi citizenship to naturalize elsewhere
- •UAE: Emirati citizenship revoked upon acquiring another
- •Kuwait: Must renounce Kuwaiti citizenship
- •Qatar: Dual citizenship not permitted
- •Bahrain: Generally requires renunciation
- •Oman: Dual citizenship not permitted
- •Consider carefully before giving up Gulf citizenship
- •Gulf citizenship provides significant privileges that may be lost
Practical Considerations for Dual Citizens
- •Passports: Keep both current and valid
- •Travel: Use U.S. passport entering/leaving U.S., home country passport for home country
- •Taxes: U.S. citizens taxed on worldwide income regardless of residence
- •Military service: Some countries require service from male citizens
- •Property rights: Some countries restrict foreign ownership but citizens can own
- •Inheritance: May affect inheritance rights and taxes
- •Children: Understand how citizenship passes to your children
- •Voting: May be eligible to vote in both countries
The Naturalization Oath
- •Oath states you 'renounce and abjure' all foreign allegiances
- •U.S. does not enforce this as actual renunciation
- •Your home country's laws control whether citizenship is lost
- •Many countries ignore the U.S. oath
- •Countries that automatically revoke citizenship may do so upon naturalization
- •Taking the oath does not notify your home country
- •The oath is about loyalty to U.S., not legal citizenship renunciation
- •If you want to formally renounce, that's a separate process with home country
Impact on Travel to Home Country
- •Most countries require citizens to enter on home country passport
- •May face questions if entering on U.S. passport alone
- •Keep home country passport current for travel
- •Some countries have difficulties if citizenship was technically lost
- •U.S. consular assistance limited when in country of other citizenship
- •Know the entry requirements before traveling
- •Consider getting both passports before traveling first time after naturalization
Irvine Resources for Naturalization
- •USCIS Santa Ana Field Office for interviews
- •Citizenship preparation classes in Irvine
- •Home country consulates in Los Angeles
- •Arabic-speaking immigration services
- •Community organizations offering naturalization help
- •Immigration attorneys for complex cases
- •SoCal Immigration Services: Expert naturalization assistance
- •Research your home country's embassy website for current laws
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:Will the U.S. tell my home country that I naturalized?
A: No, the United States does not notify foreign governments when their nationals naturalize. However, if your home country has restrictions on dual citizenship, they may learn through other means (passport renewal attempts, travel records, etc.). Some people inform their home country proactively; others do not. This is a personal decision based on your country's laws and your situation.
Q:Can I travel to my home country immediately after naturalizing?
A: Generally yes, but proceed carefully. If your country allows dual citizenship, travel with both passports. If your country doesn't allow dual citizenship, you may face complications - some countries may not recognize you as a citizen anymore, while others may still consider you a citizen with obligations. Research your specific country's approach before traveling.
Q:What happens to my property in my home country if I naturalize?
A: This depends on your home country's laws. In countries that permit dual citizenship, your property rights typically remain intact as a citizen. In countries that don't permit dual citizenship, you may be treated as a foreigner subject to foreign ownership restrictions. Some countries require you to divest property within a certain period. Research this before naturalizing.
Q:My country revokes citizenship automatically if I naturalize elsewhere. Is it worth it?
A: This is a deeply personal decision. Consider what you gain (U.S. citizenship rights, voting, passport, sponsoring family, government jobs) versus what you lose (home country passport, property rights, ease of travel home, inheritance rights, emotional ties). Some people prioritize U.S. citizenship; others maintain permanent residence to keep original citizenship. There's no universally right answer.
Q:Can my children have dual citizenship if I do?
A: Generally yes, but rules vary. Children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents are U.S. citizens by birth. Whether they also have your original citizenship depends on your home country's laws - most transmit citizenship to children of citizens regardless of where born. Register your children with your home country's consulate if you want them to have that citizenship too.
Q:I'm Egyptian and didn't notify my government before naturalizing. What now?
A: Egyptian law technically requires permission before acquiring foreign citizenship. If you naturalized without this, your Egyptian citizenship status may be unclear. Options include: applying for retention retroactively (often successful), continuing to use Egyptian passport and hoping no issues arise, or consulting with an Egyptian immigration lawyer. Many Egyptians naturalize without prior permission and continue traveling to Egypt without problems, but there's some legal risk.
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