Grant —acquisition of nationality by grant The term “grant of nationality” is used in some countries for certain modes of acquisition of nationality characterized by: • non-automatic acquisition; and • bilateral action, i.e. it requires not only an expression of intent by the target person or his or her legal agent, but also specifically an act by the responsible public authority. Jus sanguinis The determination of a person’s nationality on the basis of the nationality of his or her parents (or one parent or one particular parent) at the time of the target person’s birth and at the time of acquisition of nationality by the target person (the two points in time are different in cases of acquisition after birth). Jus soli The principle that the nationality of a person is determined on the basis of his or her country of birth Mode of acquisition/ Any manner of acquiring or losing nationality based on a distinct legal Mode of loss of rule. Modes of acquisition and loss are comparable across countries nationality and are defined in this glossary Naturalization Any mode of acquisition after birth of a nationality not previously held by the target person that requires an application by this person or his or her legal agent as well as an act of granting nationality by a public authority. Option —Acquisition of nationality by option Acquisition of nationality by option is characterized by: • a facilitated procedure and (substantially) facilitated conditions; • voluntary (in contrast to automatic) acquisition; and, in some countries: • a unilateral act by the person making use of the option (unlike acquisition based on a decision by the authorities) • the need for the target person or his or her legal agent to choose between two (or more) alternative nationalities; and Registration —Acquisition of nationality by registration Any acquisition of nationality that comes into effect through an act of registration with the public authorities by the target person or his or her legal agent. It is characterized by: • a facilitated procedure and (substantially) facilitated conditions; • voluntary (in contrast to automatic) acquisition; and • a unilateral act by the person making use of the option (unlike acquisition based on a decision by the authorities). Stateless person A person who is not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its internal law Automatic modes are those where a change in nationality status takes place by operation of law (ex lege). According to automatic modes, nationality is acquired as soon as criteria set forth by law are met, such as birth on a territory or birth to nationals of a state. By contrast, in non-automatic modes an act of the individual or a state authority is required before the change in nationality status takes place. 18 DEFINITION OF TERMS