PRACTICAL GUIDE ON NATIONALITY
Contents
List of abbreviations ....................................................................................................................... 7
1.
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 9
1.1. Relevant terminology ................................................................................................................. 9
1.2. The role and significance of nationality (or lack thereof) in international protection
procedures ........................................................................................................................................... 11
1.2.1. The impact on the examination of the need for international protection
11
1.2.2. The impact on procedural questions............................................................. 12
2.
Concepts on nationality and statelessness ....................................................................15
2.1. Modes of acquisition of nationality ....................................................................................... 16
2.2. Multiple nationality .................................................................................................................... 18
2.3. The country of nationality as a state .................................................................................... 18
2.4. Nationality does not require residence ............................................................................... 19
2.5. Statelessness.............................................................................................................................. 19
2.5.1. Definition of statelessness in the context of international protection .. 19
2.5.2. Statelessness determination procedure ..................................................... 20
3.
Country of reference ........................................................................................................ 23
3.1. Indicators of nationality (or lack thereof) ............................................................................ 24
3.2. For applicants who hold a nationality: the country of nationality ................................ 28
3.3. For stateless applicants: the country of former habitual residence ........................... 28
3.3.1. Concept of ‘country of former habitual residence’ ................................... 29
3.3.2. Criteria to determine a country of former ‘habitual’ residence ............. 29
3.3.3. Determining a country of ‘former’ habitual residence ...............................31
3.3.4. Determining of country former habitual residence for stateless children
31
4.
Special situations in acquiring or losing nationality ..................................................... 33
4.1. Deprivation or attribution of nationality contrary to international law.........................33
4.1.1. Arbitrary and discriminatory deprivation of nationality.............................33
4.1.2. Attribution of nationality in the context of occupation or annexation by
another state .................................................................................................................. 35
4.2. Ex lege nationality not (yet) formally recognised and nationality not currently held
36
5