TheLoveBandit
Retired Never Was, Coulda been wannabe
Because the topic came up before, and I promised to do some homework and haven't so far...
How to become a citizen of...
Canada
Australia (for only AUD285, call now and get a free set of Ginsu knives)
Some of the ever popular 'Socialist' nations for those liberals fleeing America for the good life
China
Denmark
Finland
And for comparison, requirements for American citizenship:
So aside from familial connections in China, everyone is pretty much the same = live there for awhile (legally), renounce previous citizenship, be functional with language, not have a criminal history, and in half the cases you need to take a test to show your knowledge of the country you are wishing to join. Not really that tough, IMO, unless a country has tightened it's work visa criteria thereby making residency an issue.
For Hollywood elites, I would expect money can make a path to citizenship fairly easily.
How to become a citizen of...
Canada
To be eligible to become a Canadian citizen, you must:
- be a permanent resident
- have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
- have filed your taxes, if you need to
- pass a citizenship test
- prove your language skills
Australia (for only AUD285, call now and get a free set of Ginsu knives)
You must
- be a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen when you apply and when we decide your application
- be in Australia when we decide on your application in most cases
- have spent time in Australia and know about our country
- intend to live in Australia or maintain a lasting link with Australia while overseas
Some of the ever popular 'Socialist' nations for those liberals fleeing America for the good life
China
Foreigners can apply to become Chinese citizens under article 7 of the Nationality Law of the PRC. To qualify for citizenship under that article, a foreigner must:
In Hong Kong, all applications for naturalisation are handled by the Immigration Department in accordance with the Chinese Nationality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 540 of the Laws of Hong Kong). More information about applying for naturalisation is available from the website of the Immigration Department.
- have close relatives who are Chinese nationals;
- have settled in a part of China; or
- have other legitimate reasons for applying for citizenship.
Successful applicants for naturalisation are entitled to the same rights as persons who acquired Chinese nationality at birth. Foreigners are required by article 8 of the Nationality Law of the PRC to renounce their original nationality on acquiring Chinese citizenship.
Denmark
Nationality by naturalization
If you want to become a Danish citizen by naturalization, you will have to go through a complicated application process and fulfil a number of conditions. In order to apply for Danish nationality, you must have lived in Denmark for a certain number of years and have a permanent residence permit. If you do not have a permanent residence permit, you should apply for one at the Danish Immigration Service.
In most cases you will need to have lived in Denmark continuously for a minimum of 9 years to apply for citizenship. If you have refugee status in Denmark, you only need to have lived in Denmark for 8 years continuously. The requirements for continuous residency in Denmark are even shorter for:
Factors such as imprisonment will prevent you from being listed in a naturalisation bill. The same applies if you have overdue debt to public authorities.
- Nordic nationals
- anyone married to a Danish national
- anyone who came to Denmark as a child and has received a Danish education
- anyone who has undergone a significant part of their general education or vocational training in Denmark.
You must also prove that you are able to support yourself, meaning you do not, and must not have, received any public benefits within the past year. You must also have been self-supportive for 4 years and 6 months out of the last 5 years before your application. State education grants and loans, anticipatory pensions or old-age pensions will not prevent you from obtaining Danish nationality.
Upon submission of your application, you will need to pay an application fee of DKK 1,000. You must prove your Danish skills by providing an examination certificate, as well as passing a citizenship test. The citizenship test will prove you have sufficient knowledge of Danish society, culture and history and you will be presented with a certificate if you pass.
You will also need to sign a declaration in which you pledge your allegiance and loyalty to Denmark and the Danish society, declare your willingness to observe Danish legislation and respect fundamental Danish principles of law. You will also have to disclose your criminal record in the form of a solemn declaration, whether committed in Denmark or abroad.
In terms of your present nationality, you must be prepared to give this up in order to be listed in a naturalisation bill. Whether you lose your current nationality automatically upon becoming a Danish national, or whether you need to apply to be released, depends on the nationality legislation in your home country.
Finland
Requirements
Make sure you meet the requirements for becoming a citizen before you submit an application.
- You are at least 18 years of age and your identity has been reliably established
- You know Finnish or Swedish at least on a satisfactory level
- You live in Finland and you have lived here long enough
- You are not guilty of any crime and no restraining order has been issued against you
- You have met your payment obligations
- You have informed us about the source of your means of support
And for comparison, requirements for American citizenship:
U.S. Citizenship through Naturalization
Becoming a citizen through naturalization is a process in which a non-U.S. citizen voluntarily becomes an American citizen. U.S. citizens:
Review this visual overview (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) about the general naturalization process.
- Owe their allegiance to the United States
- Are entitled to its protection
- Should exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens
To become a U.S. citizen, you must:
- Have had a Permanent Resident (Green) Card for at least five years, or for at least three years if you’re filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen
- You must renew your Permanent Resident Card before applying for citizenship if:
- Your card will expire within six months of applying, or
- Your card has already expired
- You can apply for naturalization before you receive your new Green Card. But, you’ll need to submit a photocopy of the receipt for your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, when you receive it.
- Meet certain eligibility requirements. To see if you’re eligible, click on the link that is most similar to your situation. Some requirements may include being:
- At least 18 years old when you apply
- Able to read, write, and speak basic English
- A person of good moral character
- Go through the 10-step naturalization process which includes:
- Determining your eligibility to become an American citizen
- Preparing and submitting form N-400, the application for naturalization
- Taking the U.S. Naturalization Test and having a personal interview
So aside from familial connections in China, everyone is pretty much the same = live there for awhile (legally), renounce previous citizenship, be functional with language, not have a criminal history, and in half the cases you need to take a test to show your knowledge of the country you are wishing to join. Not really that tough, IMO, unless a country has tightened it's work visa criteria thereby making residency an issue.
For Hollywood elites, I would expect money can make a path to citizenship fairly easily.