Can I Retain My Citizenship if I Obtain Australian Citizenship?

Australia allows multiple Citizenship and does not require new citizens to renounce their previous nationalities. However, once you obtain Australian Citizenship, you may automatically lose the Citizenship of your previous country.

This article sets out the consequences of obtaining Australian citizenship for the original citizenship of your migrating country.

Can I retain Canadian Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

As a Canadian, you can possess both Canadian and Australian Citizenship. Due to its proximity to the USA, some Canadians were actually born in the United States and don’t know they hold a second nationality. Canada does suggest to enter the country of your second citizenship using your Canadian passport, though, which may not be allowed under the second country’s rules.

Can I retain Chinese Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Mainland China: Dual citizenship is not recognized in China, although enforcement of this regulation is poor. Chinese law states nationality is automatically revoked when persons from mainland China who reside abroad voluntarily acquire foreign nationality. Article 3 of The People’s Republic of China Nationality Law does not recognize dual nationality.

Hong Kong and Macau residents: Hong Kong and Macau residents who become foreign citizens continue to be Chinese nationals unless they make an explicit declaration of nationality change to their territorial immigration authorities.

Taiwan: Taiwan allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship, but such citizens are prohibited from holding most public offices in the country. Naturalized citizens, however, are required to give up all other nationalities.

Can I retain German Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Germany does generally NOT allow dual citizenship, so they will ask you to resign the Australian citizenship first.

However, the German cabinet just gave the go-ahead to allow Germans to maintain dual citizenship. However, there is a catch. This draft law, which has yet to pass into law, will apply only to young people. Historically, those with foreign-born parents had to choose between their parents’ nationality and German nationality once they became an adult. The law proposes to change that.

Can I retain French Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

French citizens are entitled to hold dual or multiple citizenship and have been for several decades. In addition, France denounced a Council of Europe proposal that attempted to reduce cases of multiple nationalities.

Can I retain Indian Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

One has to renounce Indian citizenship when one becomes an Australian citizen or a citizen of another country.

Can I retain Indonesia Citizenship if I obtain Australia Citizenship? 

Indonesia does not permit dual citizenship. Those who gain foreign citizenship at birth are allowed to maintain both nationalities but will have to renounce one at the age of 18.

Can I retain Italian Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Dual citizenship is allowed in Italy, which considers anyone with Italian ancestry an Italian citizen and thereby eligible to apply for an ancestral passport. Both naturalized citizens and those holding an ancestral passport are not required to relinquish other citizenships.

Can I retain Japanese Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Japan does not allow citizens to maintain other allegiances and forces children who hold more than one passport to choose which one they wish to retain once they become adults.

Can I retain Malaysian Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Anyone holding Malaysian citizenship is disallowed from holding any other citizenship.

Can I retain Peruvian Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship? 

Peru allows those from other Latin American countries and Spain to retain their nationality upon receiving Peruvian citizenship. In practice, dual citizenship is also permitted in most cases.

Can I retain Nepali Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship? 

Dual citizenship is not permitted in Nepal. There is a total prohibition on dual nationality in Nepal. To lawfully be issued a citizenship certificate, a person must have no other allegiances. If a Nepal citizenship certificate holder, at any time, possesses any other nationality or citizenship the Nepal citizenship certificate issued to him automatically becomes invalid or void.

Can I retain Papua New Guinean Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Papua New Guinea does not recognize dual citizenship, and minor citizens who acquire another nationality at birth are required to choose which citizenship to retain at the age of 19.

Can I retain Philippine Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship? 

Dual citizenship is recognized in the Philippines, though it is almost impossible for foreigners to obtain citizenship. However, Filipinos who get second citizenship will not lose their Philippine nationality, and if they do, they may apply to have it reinstated.

Can I retain Singaporean Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship? 

Singapore does not permit dual citizenship, and those who intentionally take up citizenship in another country may lose their Singapore passports. Naturalized citizens and those claiming citizenship by descent are also required to give up all other nationalities. However, foreign nationals who are also Singapore citizens by birth may be allowed to hold on to dual citizenship, as long as they do not exercise their foreign citizenship rights.

Can I retain South African Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

All South African citizens, aged 18 years or older, must apply and be granted permission to retain their South African citizenship before they obtain citizenship from another country. If prior permission is not gained, they will automatically lose their South African citizenship on voluntary acquisition of another citizenship.

Can I retain South Korean Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

South Korea recognizes dual citizenship, but only for those who received their second nationality at birth and had before the age of 22 declared their intention to remain South Korean. The country does not permit adults to acquire other citizenships. However, foreigners who become South Korean citizens under its immigrant investor program can keep their birth citizenship. Also, ex-pats who have lived in the country for five years, or two years, if married to a South Korean, are allowed to maintain dual nationalities.

Can I retain Spanish Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Dual citizenship is permitted in Spain, but citizens who acquire a second nationality are required to inform the government of their intention to remain a Spanish national within three years. Natural citizens of Iberoamerican countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal are exempted from this requirement. Naturalized citizens, however, are required to renounce all other nationalities, unless they are natural-born citizens of an Iberoamerican country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal.

Can I retain Thai Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Thailand does not accept dual citizenship. Minor citizens who gain a second passport at birth are allowed to maintain both nationalities but must relinquish one by the age of 18. Female citizens who take up the nationality of their foreign spouse will lose their Thai citizenship, but they may regain it if their marriage ends in death or divorce.

Can I retain United Arab Emirates if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

A citizen of the United Arab Emirates is forbidden to have multiple. The only exception is in cases when an individual holds another citizenship from birth but also has a father who is a UAE national and who confers citizenship upon him or her.

Can I retain UK Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

The United Kingdom allows for multiple citizenships. You don’t need to give up your British citizen when you apply to become an Australian Citizen, and holding other citizenships won’t affect your British citizenship.

Can I retain US Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

The United States allows for multiple citizenships. You don’t need to give up your US citizenship when you apply to become an Australian Citizen, and holding other citizenships won’t affect your US citizenship.

Can I retain Venezuelan Citizenship if I obtain Australian Citizenship?

Venezuela does not allow dual citizenship. Those who become citizens of another country at birth may keep both passports until the age of 25, upon which they must lose their foreign nationality or they will lose Venezuelan citizenship.

Summit Migration can assist you through every step of the citizenship application process. We have some of the most experienced migration agents in South Brisbane and we can also assist you with your Partner Visa, Parent Visa, Student Visa, Short Term Work Visa, Skilled Visa, or any other Migration Visa.

Call us today for advice, or for an assessment on your matter.

<