(3) Where protection is available in another State 153. Where an individual recognised as stateless has a realistic prospect, in the near future, of obtaining protection consistent with the standards of the 1954 Convention in another State, the host State has discretion to provide a status that is more transitional in nature than that described in paragraphs 148-152 above. Separate considerations apply for those who voluntarily renounce their nationality as a matter of convenience or choice.100 154. In these cases, care must be taken to ensure that the criteria for determining whether an individual has a realistic prospect of obtaining protection elsewhere are narrowly construed.101 In UNHCR’s view protection can only be considered available in another country when a stateless person: • is able to acquire or reacquire nationality through a simple, rapid, and non-discretionary procedure, which is a mere formality; or • enjoys permanent residence status in a country of previous habitual residence to which immediate return is possible. 54 155. With respect to acquisition or reacquisition of nationality, individuals must be able to avail themselves of a procedure that is easily accessible, both physically and financially, as well as one that is simple in terms of procedural steps and evidentiary requirements. Moreover, the acquisition/ reacquisition procedure must be swift and the outcome guaranteed because it is non-discretionary where prescribed requirements are met.102 156. By contrast, other procedures for acquisition of nationality may not present a sufficiently reliable prospect of obtaining protection elsewhere and would therefore not justify providing merely a transitional status to stateless persons. For example, it would not suffice that the individual has access to naturalization procedures which, as a general rule, leave discretion in the hands of officials and have no guaranteed outcome. Similarly, procedures with vague requirements for the acquisition of nationality or those that would oblige an individual to be physically present in a country of former nationality where legal entry and residence are not guaranteed would also not suffice. 100 Please see further paragraphs 161-162 below. 101 Moreover, safeguards are necessary to prevent the individual being left without a legal status anywhere and to ensure that any special circumstances justifying a residence permit are properly examined. 102 An example would be a procedure through which former nationals can reacquire their nationality by simply signing a declaration at the nearest consular authority following production of their birth certificate or cancelled/expired passport, where the competent authority is then obliged to restore nationality. Similar procedures may also involve registration or the exercise of the right of option to acquire nationality.