Gerenian nationality law
Gerenian nationality law is the law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of Gerenian nationality. Gerenian citizenship is the status of being a citizen of the Republic of Gerenia and it can be obtained by birth or naturalisation. The Gerenian nationality is transmitted by paternity.
Birth in the Republic of Gerenia does not in itself confer Gerenian nationality. Therefore, Jus soli does not apply.
Nationality and citizenship
Gerenian law makes a distinction between being a national of Gerenia and a citizen of Gerenia. Nationality is the attribute of the person in international law that describes their relationship to the State, whereas citizenship is given to those who hold Gerenian nationality that have certain rights and responsibilities before the State. Gerenian citizens are those Gerenian nationals who are 18 years of age or older.
Rights and responsibilities of Gerenian citizens
Rights of citizens
Nationals of the Republic of Gerenia by law have the legal right to:
- Live freely in the Republic of Gerenia without any immigration requirements;
- Gain access to free education covering primary, secondary and university education;
- Receive all health-care benefits at any public health institution;
- Own and inherit property and values in the Republic of Gerenia;
- Enter to and exit from the Republic of Gerenia through any port;
- Travel to and from other countries in accordance with visa requirements;
- Seek consular assistance and protection abroad by the Republic of Gerenia through Gerenian embassies and consulates abroad.
Citizens of Gerenia also have the right to participate in the Gerenian political system.
Responsibilities of citizens
All Gerenian citizens are required by law, when forced by the Gerenian government, to bear arms on behalf of the Republic of Gerenia, to perform noncombatant service in the Gerenian Armed Forces, and to perform work of national importance under civilian direction.
Dual nationality and citizenship
The Gerenian nationality law acknowledges that a Gerenian by birth may possess another nationality. If this is the case, double nationality is allowed by the law; however, double or multiple citizenship is not. Before turning 18, a national of Gerenia must choose whether they want to acquire Gerenian citizenship or not. Failure to do so may result in loss of Gerenian citizenship.
Honorary citizenship
The Constitution of Gerenia establishes that people born outside Gerenia may be granted honorary citizenship. Honorary citizens enjoy the rights of any national of Gerenia as long as they apply for permanent residence in the country. Honorary citizens cannot participate in the political life of Gerenia or work for the government.
Acquisition of Gerenian nationality
Jus sanguinis
A child is Gerenian at birth if:
- he/she was born in Meeredres; or
- he/she is the child of a married couple of whom at least one of the parents is a Gerenian citizen.
Naturalisation
Gerenians by naturalisation are those who successfully apply for citizenship. This implies that the applicant must be 18 or older. The Nationality Law establishes that a foreigner that wishes to naturalise must do the following:
- present the application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration;
- take the oath of sole nationality to Gerenia;
- prove knowledge of Gerenian culture, history, and society, or prove integration to the society. This implies knowledge of the Gerenian language;
- prove residence in Gerenia for:
- 24 consecutive months immediately prior to the submission of the application; or
- 30 non-consecutive months immediately prior to the submission of the application.
Loss of Gerenian nationality
A Gerenian national may lose their nationality by doing any of the following:
- renouncing their Gerenian nationality;
- voluntarily acquiring another nationality;
- serving in a foreign government and/or in foreign armed forces;
- committing treason against the Republic of Gerenia.
Union citizenship
With the entrance of Gerenia in the USSO, citizens of Gerenia are automatically granted USSO citizenship. USSO citizenship (or Union citizenship) is additional to Gerenian citizenship, and does not replace it.
According to Article 20 of the Union Treaty, USSO citizens enjoy the following rights:
- move and reside freely within the territory of the Union States;
- vote in their State of origin, under the same conditions as nationals of that State;
- enjoy, in the territory of a third country in which the Member State of which they are nationals is not represented, the protection of the diplomatic and consular authorities of any Union State on the same conditions as the nationals of that State;
- petition the Political Consultative Committee.
