Dual Citizenship
The Full Story
Dual Citizenship enables Zambian nationals to officially hold citizenship of one other country, in addition to their Zambian Citizenship. It was enacted by Article 39 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and come into effect on 5 January 2016.
For a Zambian national or a person of Zambian ancestry, to enjoy Dual Citizenship, the other country should be one that allows for such arrangement with Zambia. See list of countries that allow Dual Citizenship with Zambia (Annex 1). Zambian nationals can acquire Dual Citizenship through the following processes:
i. Bestowal - acquired another citizenship before the Constitution Amendment of 5th January 2016,
ii. Notice of Acquisition; and
iii. Registration.
Note: Applicants must ensure that all personal details appearing on the Identity Documents are the same for both countries. Certification of all documents needs to be done by the responsible officer at the nearest Zambian Mission Abroad (Annex 2).
Citizenship by bestowal
This refers to a person above the age of 18 years who acquired another citizenship before the Constitution Amendment of 5th January, 2016, and as such automatically lost their Zambian Citizenship, but wish to have their citizenship restored. Process of Citizenship by Bestowal: 1. Collection of Application for Bestowal of Citizenship (Form VII) from the Passport office for those in Zambia, and the nearest Zambian Mission Abroad for those in the Diaspora (Annex 5); 2. Completion of Form VII (Annex 5); 3. The completed Application Form, plus all necessary supporting documents, should be submitted in person or by courier to the nearest Zambian Mission with the application fee equivalent to ZMW300; 4. After the Citizenship Board approves the application, an approval letter is sent to the appropriate Zambian Mission Abroad (Annex 2); 5. Upon receipt of an approval letter, the Applicant must take the Oath of Allegiance by completing Form IX (Regulation 14) and submit the Form, with a payment equivalent to ZMW5, 000, to the Zambian Mission (Annex 5); 6. The Mission confirms to the Passport and Citizenship Office in writing, the payment by the Applicant; 7. The Passport and Citizenship Office prepares the Certificate of Bestowal and sends to the Mission; 8. The Applicant should collect the Certificate of Bestowal from the Mission and will thereafter, be required to travel to Zambia to apply for a new National Registration Card (NRC). 9. This process takes approximately nine (9) months from the time the duly completed application is submitted. Supportingdocuments: (i) Certified copy of the Green National Registration Card (NRC) held before cessation of Citizenship (in case of a lost NRC, submit a Police Report from the country of residence with the NRC number indicated if known); (ii) Copy of the Zambian Passport held before cessation of Citizenship. (In case of a lost Passport, submit a Police Report from the country of residence); (iii) Copy of the current foreign Passport; (iv) Certified copy of Applicant’s Birth Certificate or sworn General Affidavit or Birth Record (if in possession of one); (v) Four (4) Passport Photos (which shall show the full face and both ears, without any headgear or adornment); (vi) Copy of Renunciation Certificate, if Applicant renounced Zambian Citizenship; (vii) Certified copy of parents/blood relative’s National Registration Card, if available; (viii) Original Police Fingerprint and Clearance Certificate obtained from the country of residence.
Citizenship by notice of acquisition
Notice of Acquisition is applicable to the following categories of persons who obtained citizenship of another country, after the Constitution Amendment of 5th January, 2016; i. Persons who obtained citizenship of another country after the Constitution Amendment of 5th January, 2016; ii. Persons who obtained Citizenship of another country through marriage, before or after the Constitutional mendment of 5th January, 2016. Requirements: Adults 1. Completion of the Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another Country (FormVI) (Annex 5); 2. Certified copy of the Applicant’s Zambian Green National Registration Card (NRC); 3. Copy of the Applicant’s Zambian Passport; 4. Copy of the current Foreign Passport; and 5. Certified copy of the Certificate of Naturalization/Certificate of Registration of the acquired citizenship. Note: For persons who obtained foreign citizenship through marriage, if the Certificate does not indicate that citizenship was obtained through marriage, a onfirmation letter from relevant authorities in that country may suffice Children(Persons under the age of 18 years) 1. Completion of the Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another country (Form VI) (Annex 5); 2. Certified copy of the Birth Certificate of the Applicant; 3. Copy of the current foreign Passport for the Applicant; 4. Certified copy of the Father/Mother’s Zambian Green National registration Card; and 5. Copy of Father/Mother’s Zambian Passport. Note: Notice of Acquisition must be accompanied by a duly completed Passport application or certified copies of a valid Zambian Passport.
Citizenship by registration
Applicants of Zambian descent of 18 years and above, and have never held any Zambian National Identity but hold Citizenship of a country that allows Dual Citizenship with Zambia may apply to be awarded citizenship by Registration. According to Article 37 of the Zambian Constitution of 2016, a person is entitled to apply to the Citizenship Board of Zambia to be registered as a citizen, if that person meets the following conditions: i. Born in Zambia, and would require to reside in Zambia for a continuous period of five years; ii. Born outside Zambia, has or had an ancestor who is, or was, a citizen and has been ordinarily resident in Zambia for a continuous period of five (5) years. iii. Is of Zambian descent but with no traceable lineage or Zambian documentation, would require residing in Zambia for a continuous period of ten (10) years. Requirements: 1. Applicant to advertise with a Zambian Newspaper (either Times of Zambia or Daily Mail) and Government Gazette after completing the Notice of Intention to Apply for Citizenship by Registration; 2. Completion of the Application for Citizenship by Registration (Form II) (Annex 5). 3. Five (5) Passport size photos (which shall show the full face and both ears, without any headgear or adornment); 4. Fingerprints and Police Clearance Certificate (to be obtained in Zambia); 5. Three (3) letters from Zambian citizens who have known the Applicant for ten (10) years or more and are resident in Zambia, e.g.: Member of Parliament, Senior Government Official, a Magistrate, a Legal Practitioner, a Bank official, Local Authority or Medical Practitioner. Note: The advert has to run in a State-owned Newspaper or Government Gazette for 21 days in order to give the members of the public an opportunity to make comments. Supporting Documents i. Certified copy of Zambian Resident Permit; ii. Certified copies of title deeds (if the applicant owns properties in Zambia); iii. Certified copy of the National Registration Card; iv. Certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and Spouse Permit (where applicable); v. Certified copy of the school certificate or equivalent (where applicable); vi. Certified copy of the current bank account statement valid for a period of two months; and vii. Certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation or Registration and Certificate of share capital (where applicable).
Acquisition of National Registration Card (NRC) for dual citizens
1. Applicant completes Notice of Acquisition of Dual Citizenship (Form IV)(Annex5) 2. Applicant attaches copies of the following documents: I) Certificate of Bestowal; ii) Previous original NRC or Police Report, if lost; and iii) Current foreign Passport. 3. Submission of the completed Form IV to the Registrar for approval; (Annex 5) 4. Upon completion of the preceding steps, the Applicant is ready to be issued with an NRC, indicating their Dual Citizenship status.