Top 15 Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship (2024)

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There are many nations that offer citizenship to people from all over the world, but there are also governments that make it difficult or impossible for foreigners to get a passport or other paperwork to be able to stay in the country. In this article, we're taking a look at the world's 15 hardest countries to get citizenship.

15 hardest countries to get citizenship

1. Qatar

Qatar is one of the most difficult countries in which to obtain citizenship. The process is long and complicated, and there are very few avenues through which one can become a citizen. The vast majority of citizens are either born into Qatari families or granted citizenship through marriages to Qataris. Otherwise, citizenship is typically only available to those who have been employed by the government for many years or have made significant investments in the country.

2. Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, with a population of just over 800. It's also one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. There are only two ways to become a citizen of Vatican City: be born there, or be appointed by the Pope.

If you're not born in Vatican City, your only hope of becoming a citizen is to be appointed by the Pope. And that's a pretty big if. The Pope appoints citizens for specific roles within the Vatican, such as diplomats or members of the Swiss Guard. So unless you have some serious skills or connections, it's unlikely you'll ever become a citizen of Vatican City.

3. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in Europe. The principality, which is located between Austria and Switzerland, has a population of just over 37,000.

The country's citizenship requirements are some of the most stringent in the world. Applicants must have lived in Liechtenstein for at least 30 years, and must be able to prove that they are financially stable and have integrated into the community. They must also pass a language test.

Given these requirements, it's no surprise that Liechtenstein citizenship is notoriously difficult to obtain. In fact, only around 20 people per year are granted citizenship by the country's parliament.

4. Bhutan

Bhutan is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. The small landlocked country in the Himalayas has a population of just over 700,000 and a very low rate of naturalization. There are only about 1,000 foreigners who have been granted Bhutanese citizenship since 1949.

The process of becoming a Bhutanese citizen is long and complicated. Applicants must have lived in the country for at least 15 years, be proficient in the Dzongkha language, and have a clean criminal record. They must also pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of Bhutanese history, culture, and religion. Even then, citizenship is not guaranteed – it’s up to the discretion of the government whether or not to grant an applicant citizenship.

So, why is it so hard to become a Bhutanese citizen? Partly because Bhutan wants to maintain its unique culture and national identity in the face of globalization. The government is also concerned about security risks posed by immigrants, particularly those from neighboring countries like India and China. Whatever the reasons, it’s clear that getting Bhutanese citizenship is not an easy task.

5. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is considered to be the toughest country to get PR in the world. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that Saudi Arabia does not allow dual citizenship and requires all citizens to be Muslim. In addition, Saudi Arabia has strict requirements for those who wish to become citizens, including a minimum age of 21 and a residency requirement of five years.

6. Kuwait

Kuwait is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. The main reason for this is because Kuwait has a very high standard of living, and they want to keep it that way. The government is very selective about who they allow into the country, and they have a strict set of requirements that must be met in order to be granted citizenship.

In order to even be considered for Kuwaiti citizenship, you must first obtain a residency permit. This can be a difficult process in itself, as there are only a limited number of permits available each year. Once you have obtained a residency permit, you must then live in Kuwait for at least 10 years before you can apply for citizenship. Even if you meet all of these requirements, there is no guarantee that you will be granted citizenship. The final decision is up to the Kuwaiti government, and they can reject your application for any reason.

7. Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its mountainous landscapes and picturesque villages, as well as its stringent immigration policies. Citizenship in Switzerland is difficult to obtain, and the process can be lengthy and expensive.

There are several requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for Swiss citizenship. First, an applicant must have lived in Switzerland for at least 12 years. Second, they must demonstrate their integration into Swiss society through their knowledge of one of the national languages and their involvement in the community. Finally, they must pass a civic exam which tests their knowledge of Swiss history and culture.

Even if all these requirements are met, there is no guarantee that citizenship will be granted. The decision is ultimately up to the cantonal authorities who review each application on a case-by-case basis.

Also Read: Top 10 Most Expensive Countries in the World

8. China

If you are thinking about which country is the hardest to get citizenship then the answer is China. In order to become a Chinese citizen, you must be of Chinese descent. This means that you must have at least one parent who is of Chinese nationality. If you are not of Chinese descent, then you are not eligible for citizenship. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but they are very rare.

Chinese citizenship can also be acquired through marriage to a Chinese citizen. However, the marriage must be registered with the Chinese government in order for it to be recognized. Additionally, the couple must reside in China for at least two years before they can apply for citizenship.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, then you can begin the application process by submitting the required documentation to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. The application process can take several months to complete, and it is advisable to retain the services of a lawyer to help with the paperwork.

9. North Korea

North Korea is the toughest country to get PR in. The reasons for this are many, including the fact that North Korea does not allow dual citizenship and requires all citizens to renounce their previous citizenship. In addition, North Korea has strict requirements for applicants, including a minimum age of 21, a clean criminal record, and a certain level of education. Furthermore, North Koreans must complete a lengthy and difficult application process, which includes an interview and an exam.

10. Japan

The island nation of Japan is one of the most difficult countries in which to obtain citizenship. The process is long and arduous, and requires a significant investment of both time and money. To begin with, prospective citizens must have lived in Japan for at least five years. During that time, they must have held a valid work visa and maintained a clean criminal record. They must also pass a rigorous Japanese language test.

Once those requirements are met, applicants must submit a detailed application to the Ministry of Justice. The application includes fingerprints, photos, and other personal information. It can take months or even years to hear back from the ministry on whether the application has been approved or denied.

And even if an applicant is lucky enough to obtain Japanese citizenship, there are certain restrictions that come along with it. For example, Japanese citizens are not allowed to hold dual citizenship with another country. They are also required to renounce their previous citizenship and swear allegiance to the Emperor of Japan.

11. United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. The process is long and complicated, and there are very few ways to become a citizen. The most common way to become a citizen is by marrying an Emirati citizen, but this is extremely difficult to do.

There are other ways to become a citizen, but they are all very difficult. For example, you can become a naturalized citizen if you have lived in the UAE for at least 20 years, or if you have worked for the government for at least 10 years. You can also become a citizen through investment, but this requires investing at least AED 10 million in the country.

Overall, it is very difficult to become a citizen of the United Arab Emirates. The process is long and complicated, and there are very few ways to do it. If you want to become a citizen, your best bet is to marry an Emirati citizen or invest AED 10 million in the country.

12. San Marino

San Marino is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. The requirements are very strict and the process is long and complicated. To become a citizen of San Marino, you must have lived in the country for at least 10 years. You must also be over 18 years of age, have a clean criminal record, and be able to speak Italian fluently.

The first step in the process is to submit an application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once your application has been approved, you will need to take a citizenship test. This test covers topics such as history, culture, and politics.

If you pass the citizenship test, you will then need to go through a personal interview with a panel of judges. After that, you will take an oath of allegiance to San Marino and finally be granted citizenship.

13. Austria

Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is bordered by eight other countries, making it one of the most difficult places to become a naturalized citizen. The process requires 12 years of continuous residency, including three years of marriage to an Austrian citizen, and passing a language test. Even then, citizenship is not guaranteed and can be denied at the discretion of the Austrian government.

Also check: How To Get Job in Austria from India

14. Monaco

Monaco is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. Monaco is bordered by France to the north, east and west, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The official language of Monaco is French, although Monégasque, Italian and English are also spoken.

The Principality of Monaco is not a member of the European Union but it is closely linked to the EU through its customs union agreement with France and its membership in various international organizations such as UNESCO and Interpol.

15. Finland

Finland is considered to be the hardest country to get permanent residency, due in large part to their stringent requirements and lack of flexibility. To be eligible for Finnish citizenship, an applicant must have a continuous residence in the country for at least eight years, as well as be proficient in the Finnish language. In addition, they must have a clean criminal record and show that they are financially stable. The process is also quite lengthy, taking upwards of two years to complete.

Conclusion

It is no secret that some countries are harder to get citizenship than others. This article has provided a list of the most difficult countries to get citizenship. There are a variety of reasons for this, from economic factors to political instability. Whatever the reason, if you're looking to become a citizen of one of these countries, you'll need to be prepared for a long and difficult process. But don't let that discourage you — if you're up for the challenge, these 15 countries offer some of the most rewarding experiences in the world.