Citizenship Eligibility in Latin America
A comprehensive overview of all paths to citizenship in every country in the world.
IMPORTANT:
This overview shows only how soon you are eligible for citizenship according to the law: Sometimes, it can take years to process, and governments often exercise considerable discretion in how, if, and according to what timeframe it enforces the legislation. For realistic and up-to-date eligibility assessments, contact a local immigration professional
FOOTNOTES:
¹ Many countries, chiefly in Latin America, offer shortened residence periods for naturalization to citizens (sometimes only native-born) of countries with which they maintain cultural ties.
² Ius Soli: Right to citizenship for those born in the country, even if to non-citizen parents. Sometimes requiring a reduced residency period. Exceptions for stateless individuals or foundlings not considered for the purposes of this analysis
³Years of residency for naturalization start counting only after permanent residency (PR) is obtained. The time needed to qualify for PR varies considerably depending on the immigration category and can range from immediate to decades.
⁴Citizenship offered only to individuals of a particular ethnic background.
⁵Investment of a specified amount grants citizenship after a residency period shorter than that required for ordinary naturalization but not immediately.
⁶Open only to Commonwealth citizens who transfer PKR 5 million (about $17,000) to the State Bank of Pakistan.
⁷A majority of countries have legislative provisions that allow the head of state, supreme court, or national assemblies to grant citizenship, usually without residency or language requirements, to individuals considered of particular merit or utility or in exchange for loosely defined exceptional contributions or services to the country. This path to citizenship is typically applied only in rare circumstances, on a case-by-case basis, and not according to detailed criteria, most commonly to athletes, artists, industrialists, or individuals who have displayed conspicuous acts of heroism.
ᶠᵍ Favored Gender: For purposes of citizenship by marriage, many countries prefer one gender (usually women) over the other. Some countries offer shortened naturalization periods for wives but not husbands of their citizens, while others may offer immediate citizenship (by declaration or registration) to wives and no path to citizenship at all for husbands. In cases of differences, we have listed the terms for whichever gender is favorably treated.
ˢᵘˢᵖVenezuela is currently suspended from Mercosur.
This overview shows only how soon you are eligible for citizenship according to the law: Sometimes, it can take years to process, and governments often exercise considerable discretion in how, if, and according to what timeframe it enforces the legislation. For realistic and up-to-date eligibility assessments, contact a local immigration professional
FOOTNOTES:
¹ Many countries, chiefly in Latin America, offer shortened residence periods for naturalization to citizens (sometimes only native-born) of countries with which they maintain cultural ties.
² Ius Soli: Right to citizenship for those born in the country, even if to non-citizen parents. Sometimes requiring a reduced residency period. Exceptions for stateless individuals or foundlings not considered for the purposes of this analysis
³Years of residency for naturalization start counting only after permanent residency (PR) is obtained. The time needed to qualify for PR varies considerably depending on the immigration category and can range from immediate to decades.
⁴Citizenship offered only to individuals of a particular ethnic background.
⁵Investment of a specified amount grants citizenship after a residency period shorter than that required for ordinary naturalization but not immediately.
⁶Open only to Commonwealth citizens who transfer PKR 5 million (about $17,000) to the State Bank of Pakistan.
⁷A majority of countries have legislative provisions that allow the head of state, supreme court, or national assemblies to grant citizenship, usually without residency or language requirements, to individuals considered of particular merit or utility or in exchange for loosely defined exceptional contributions or services to the country. This path to citizenship is typically applied only in rare circumstances, on a case-by-case basis, and not according to detailed criteria, most commonly to athletes, artists, industrialists, or individuals who have displayed conspicuous acts of heroism.
ᶠᵍ Favored Gender: For purposes of citizenship by marriage, many countries prefer one gender (usually women) over the other. Some countries offer shortened naturalization periods for wives but not husbands of their citizens, while others may offer immediate citizenship (by declaration or registration) to wives and no path to citizenship at all for husbands. In cases of differences, we have listed the terms for whichever gender is favorably treated.
ˢᵘˢᵖVenezuela is currently suspended from Mercosur.