Bangladesh Cabinet approved draft of Citizenship Law, 2016 expanding scope for dual citizenship

Bangladesh Cabinet on 1 February 2016 approved the draft of a proposed Citizenship Law, 2016 that was framed by amalgamating two existing laws and expanding scopes for dual citizenship for expatriate Bangladeshi nationals.  

The new Law was proposed by amending the existing the Citizenship Act 1951 and consolidating it with the Bangladesh Citizenship Temporary Provisions Order 1972 to help future citizens in the complex immigration world.

Before this, a provision was available for Bangladeshis having nationality of the UK and the US only.

Some provisions of the Citizenship Law

• Bangladeshis staying in all the countries who have diplomatic ties with Bangladesh would be eligible for the dual citizenship but SAARC states and Myanmar were exempted.

• The law barred dual citizenship with countries the government has imposed a bar on by issuing gazettes and with those countries which have no diplomatic relations with Bangladesh.

• Supreme Court judges, Parliament members, members of the armed forces, public services and anyone holding a constitutional post are also not been permitted to possess dual citizenship.

• Foreign nationals who marry Bangladeshis would have to reside in Bangladesh for at least five years to qualify for citizenship while currently the period of residence was four years.

• The government may also confer honorary citizenship on individuals for their contributions to their Country.

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