top of page

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.

  • 1. Question: Why should I notify the Zambian Mission of the death of a Zambian national even when there may be no role for the Mission to play?
    Answer: - Maintaining a record of deaths of Zambian nationals in the Diaspora would help curb identity theft of deceased Zambians. - This would also help the Zambian Government to maintain a correct record of its citizenry; and - In the event of repatriation of the remains, the Mission would play a facilitatory role.
  • 3. Question: I was born in Zambia before the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 14th March, 1973. How do I acquire a Birth certificate?
    Answer: The provisions in the Act do not cater for persons born before 14th March 1973. However, a letter may be issued by the DNRPC Head Office to such persons, as proof of birth in Zambia. A Deponent would be required to fill in application Form M (Annex 5) and attach a copy of their NRC and that of the applicant for submission to the DNRPC.
  • 4. Question: Why should I notify the Zambian Mission of the birth of my child, when they would not be issued with a Zambian Birth Certificate?
    Answer: In an event that you wish to apply for a National Document for your child such as an NRC or Passport, the proof of record of birth at the Zambian Mission would serve as evidence of your child’s Zambian ancestry.
  • 1. Question: Who is eligible to acquire a Zambian Birth Certificate?
    Answer: All persons born in Zambia after 14th March, 1973 whether they are Zambian or not.
  • 2. Question: Why is the issuance of Birth Certificates only applicable to persons born after 14th March, 1973?
    Answer: This is as provided for in the Births and Deaths Registration Act Chapter 51 of the Laws of Zambia, which came into effect on 14th March, 1973.
  • 2. Question: I acquired citizenship of another country after the Constitution amendment of 5th January 2016, do I lose my Zambian Citizenship?
    No, you do not lose your Zambian Citizenship, but you would be required to officially notify the Passport and Citizenship Office in Zambia or the nearest Zambian Mission by completing the Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another country (Form VI) (Annex 5).
  • 4. Question: I am 21 years old of a foreign citizenship but born of Zambian parents who also later acquired citizenship of another country. Do I qualify for citizenship of Zambia?
    A person born in or outside Zambia is a citizen of Zambia if at the time of his/her birth, one or both parents was a holder of Zambian citizenship. If such a person was a holder of either an NRC or Zambian Passport or endorsed in one of their parents’ Zambian Passport, they are eligible to apply for citizenship through <b>Bestowal. However</b>, if such a person has never been a holder of a Zambian national document, they can only obtain Zambian citizenship through the process of Registration.
  • 3. 1. Question: Where one or both parents is a holder of Zambian citizenship and their child is below 18 years but is a holder of citizenship of another country, does such a child qualify for citizenship of Zambia?
    Yes, a child who is below 18 years retains their Zambian citizenship but would be required to complete the Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another country (Form VI) (Annex 5). <b>Note:</b> A person above 18 years of age of Zambian parents (one or both) can only claim for Zambia citizenship through Bestowal, if they previously held Zambian national documents (NRC, Passport or endorsement in parent’s Passport) or through the process of Registration, if they never held any Zambian documents.
  • 1. Question: I lost my Zambian Citizenship before the Constitution amendment of 5th January 2016. Do I automatically retain the Citizenship of Zambia?
    No, it is not automatic but for as long as you were a holder of Zambian national documents (NRC, Passport or endorsement of parent’s Passport), you would be required to apply for your Zambian Citizenship through the Bestowal process.
  • 6. Question: Do my children automatically become Zambian citizens after I obtain my Bestowal of Citizenship?
    A. If at the time of your child’s birth, neither of you as parents held Zambian citizenship, the child does not automatically become Zambian but would need to apply for citizenship by Registration at the age of 18 years. B. If at the time of your child’s birth, at least one parent held Zambian citizenship, the child (below the age of 18 years) is eligible to claim citizenship of Zambia by completing Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another country (Form VI).
  • 5. Question: I am 19 years old, and my parents acquired citizenship of another country before my birth. Am I able to claim citizenship of Zambia?
    No, because <b>at the time of your birth</b>, both of your parents had ceased to be citizens of Zambia. Therefore, if you wish to become a citizen of Zambia, you would be required to apply for citizenship through the process of <b>Registration</b>.
  • 2. Question: Why do I need a green NRC?
    Because a green NRC is a mandatory primary source of proof of identification of a Zambian national.
  • 1. Question: At what age is a green NRC acquired?
    16 years and above.
  • 4. Question: If I don’t have a police report from the foreign country where I lost the NRC, what do I do?
    You can obtain a police report from any Police Station within Zambia.
  • 5. Question: Can I get an NRC from any Zambian Mission abroad (Annex 2)?
    No. Due to the security nature of this foundational document, the Law provides for the issuance of NRCs only within Zambia.
  • 3. Question: I am a Zambian citizen and I lost my NRC. Am I eligible to renew my Passport?
    Yes, provided you have a photocopy of the NRC, because it is mandatory for every Applicant to have an NRC in order to renew their Passport.
  • 6. Question: I am 35 years old and have lived outside Zambia since the age of 14 years, and I want to apply for an NRC, what documents do I need to attach to my application?
    For as long as you have not obtained citizenship of another country, you may be issued with an NRC but you would need to attach the following documents: i. Copy of foreign Residence Permit; ii. Original NRC of accompanying deponent; iii. Copy of parent’s NRC (if available); and iv. Copy of either birth certificate, Under-five Clinic Card or Sworn Affidavit.
  • 7. Question: Can I have my supporting documents certified by any qualified Commissioner for Oaths?
    Answer: No. All supporting documents must be certified by the designated official at the nearest Zambian Mission.
  • 6. Question: Why do I need to complete an Application Form when renewing my Passport?
    Answer: Completing the Form is important as personal information or particulars may have changed at the time of making the renewal application such as marital status, place of residence, physical appearance etc.
  • 5. Question: Why do Passport applications take long to process?
    Answer: The actual processing time is 14 working days from the date of receipt of the Application at the Passport Office, which endeavours as much as possible to prioritise the issuance of Passports for Zambians in the Diaspora. However, delays may occur if all requirements are not met in full.
  • 3. Question: Should the Recommender at the Zambian Mission have known me for at least two years?
    Answer: Not necessarily, but the applicant must be known either by any other member of staff of the Mission or by any of the registered Zambian communities within that country. It is for this reason that Zambians are encouraged to register with the Missions.
  • 1. Question: Can I apply for a Zambian Passport without a Birth Certificate?
    Answer: Yes, you can, however, an Affidavit of Birth must be submitted in place of the Birth Certificate.
  • 2. Question: Can I attach copies of my previous Zambian Passport or TDI to my application for a new Passport?
    Answer. Yes, if in possession, and together with all other required documents. In the case of a TDI, you would be required to attach the original TDI to the application for a new Passport.
  • 4. Question: If I have lost my passport but I want to travel to Zambia urgently, what should I do?
    Answer: Present a police report to the nearest Zambian Mission in order to be issued with a one-way Travel Document of Identity (TDI) to enable you travel to Zambia. You will be charged an applicable penalty fee, in addition to the prescribed. fee, depending on which document you have lost.
bottom of page