For some people, claiming citizenship of a country is their birthright, but for others it can be a very daunting experience. It’s worse for those who have fled their country due to war or political persecution and are in the hope of finding refuge in another nation.
One of the most effective ways of getting citizenship is by marrying a person who is already in that country, i.e., a national of the target country. This article aims to help people find solace during the tedious and anxious period of the application process.
Do your research
Before you decide to become a citizen of a country officially, you must look into the entire process that you need to follow. If you try to speed up the whole thing, you could very well jeopardize your chances. There is a risk it could also cause problems for your spouse, especially if your marriage places him or her on the authorities’ radar.
You could hire an attorney who has experience in dealing with immigration, citizenship, visas, etc., says Bright Immigration. You might also gain useful advice from family members, friends, and neighbors who recently got their citizenship approval.
Mandatory expenses
There’s a price for everything in life; nothing comes for free. The costs in terms of money, effort, and time regarding citizen applications vary from country to country. You need to be aware of how much you have to spend, and make sure the money goes to the right places.
Some forms cost money, as will a medical examination, biometrics, etc. However, some countries might waiver the full fee or a part of it, depending on your financial status.
Keep paperwork handy
In every country in the world, government bureaucracy is a fact of life. Along the road to obtaining citizenship, you will have to present or fill in various documents. How quickly and smoothly everything progresses usually depends on whether you are in possession of all the right documents.
Here is a list of all the documents you need to present:
- Birth certificate.
- Financial records.
- Marriage certificate.
- Proof of spouses’ citizenship.
- Visa (current as well as expired).
- Police clearance.
- Records of entry into the country.
- Immigration violation records.
- Divorce papers, if applicable.
- Prison records, if applicable.
Be mindful of potential threats
Refugees contribute towards their host country’s GDP growth, economists recognize this fact. GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product. However, during their refugee status, they are not recognized as legal citizens. Many live in constant fear of being deported if the authorities find out about them.
Moreover, multiple hurdles can lead to your application being rejected, including:
- Incomplete documents.
- Acting suspiciously during the interview.
- Genuineness of the person’s relationship with their spouse.
- Conflicts with the law.
- An outdated version of a form.
- Lack of cohabitation.
- Unpaid fees.
- Issues with work or study permits.
Estimated time for acceptance of your proposal
Once you apply for citizenship, the real stress begins while you wait for the outcome. If your request is denied, you will probably be deported immediately. In some cases, you might be able to appeal.
Try not to let the whole procedure and the seemingly endless waiting overwhelm you with stress and anxiety. Your new relationship is more likely to endure if both of you are happy. How long you have to wait depends on the country, how many applications the authorities are currently dealing with, plus some other factors. On average, it takes about thirteen months before you know whether your application has been successful.
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