Dual Citizenship: Usa And Belarus – Is It Possible?

Dual citizenship is a complex issue, and the laws and regulations surrounding it vary from country to country. In the case of Belarus and the USA, there are specific rules and considerations for individuals holding citizenship in both countries. Both countries have their own requirements and restrictions when it comes to citizenship, and understanding these is crucial for anyone seeking to maintain or acquire dual citizenship. While it is not illegal for an individual to hold citizenship in both Belarus and the USA, the specific circumstances and recognition of dual citizenship differ between the two nations.

Dual citizenship in Belarus is not recognised, but having two citizenships is not illegal

Dual Citizenship in Belarus

Dual citizenship is a complex topic and the laws surrounding it vary from country to country. In the case of Belarus, dual citizenship is not recognised by the Belarusian authorities. This means that if an individual holds Belarusian citizenship and citizenship of another country, the Belarusian government will only acknowledge their Belarusian citizenship. However, having two citizenships is not considered illegal in Belarus.

Acquiring Dual Citizenship in Belarus

According to Belarusian law, only minors under 18 who have parents that are nationals of other states are entitled to dual citizenship. Upon reaching the age of 18, these individuals must choose which citizenship they wish to keep and renounce the citizenship of the other country.

Travel Implications

The implications of Belarus not recognising dual citizenship are significant, especially when it comes to travel. When entering or exiting Belarus, individuals with dual citizenship must use their Belarusian passports. This has led to instances where dual citizens have faced difficulties leaving Belarus due to expired or lost Belarusian passports. Additionally, male dual citizens of conscript age (18-27) may encounter challenges if they have not fulfilled their military service requirement.

US-Belarus Dual Citizenship

For those holding both US and Belarusian citizenship, it is important to be mindful of the laws and requirements of both countries. While US immigration law mandates the use of US passports for Americans entering or exiting the country, Belarusian law requires the same of its citizens when travelling to or from Belarus. This includes the need for specific visas and registration requirements for extended stays.

In summary, while dual citizenship in Belarus is not recognised by the authorities, possessing two citizenships is not illegal. Individuals with dual citizenship, particularly those involving Belarus and another country, should be well-informed about the laws and restrictions of both nations to avoid any travel or legal complications.

US citizens with dual citizenship must use their US passports when entering or leaving the US

It is possible to hold dual citizenship in the USA and Belarus. However, dual citizens should be aware of the following requirements and risks when travelling:

US Requirements

According to US law, all US citizens, including dual citizens, must use a US passport when entering or leaving the country. This is a legal requirement, and failure to comply may result in loss of US citizenship.

Belarusian Requirements

Similarly, Belarusian law requires citizens to enter and exit Belarus using a Belarusian passport. This means that dual citizens travelling to Belarus will need to carry both their US and Belarusian passports. It is important to ensure that the Belarusian passport is valid for the entire duration of the trip, as obtaining a new one can take several weeks or even months. Additionally, males of conscript age (18-27) who are deemed Belarusian citizens may face difficulties leaving Belarus if they have not completed their military service.

Other Considerations

When travelling as a dual citizen, it is important to be aware of the specific requirements and risks associated with each country. For example, in the case of Belarus, there have been instances where dual citizens were unable to leave the country as planned due to issues with their Belarusian passports. Therefore, it is advisable to carry both valid passports when travelling and to familiarise yourself with the relevant laws and procedures of both countries.

Belarusian citizens must use their Belarusian passports to enter and exit Belarus

While US immigration law requires Americans to use US passports when entering or leaving the United States, Belarusian law requires Belarusian citizens to use Belarusian passports to enter and exit Belarus. This means that individuals with dual citizenship of the US and Belarus must use their Belarusian passports when entering and exiting Belarus.

There have been instances where US-Belarus dual citizens have entered Belarus with their Belarusian passports but were unable to leave as planned because their Belarusian passports had expired or were lost. Since these travellers entered Belarus using Belarusian passports, they must also depart using the same. It is important for dual citizens to ensure that their Belarusian passports are valid for their entire stay in Belarus and to carry Apostilled copies of any US-issued birth or marriage certificates. Obtaining a new Belarusian passport can take several weeks or even months, especially if one needs to obtain an Apostille for US-issued documents.

Additionally, males aged 18-27 who are deemed Belarusian citizens may face difficulties leaving Belarus if they have not completed their military service.

When crossing the border into Belarus, regardless of the method of entry, individuals must undergo border and customs control and present the following documents to the border guard:

• A valid passport intended for border crossing.
• Insurance for a car registered outside Belarus.
• An electronic control stamp confirming payment for disinfection services.

Dual citizens should ensure their Belarusian passports are valid for their entire stay in Belarus

Dual citizens of the US and Belarus should be aware that, while US immigration law requires Americans to use US passports when entering or leaving the US, Belarusian law requires Belarusian citizens to use Belarusian passports to enter and depart Belarus. This means that dual citizens must use their Belarusian passports when entering and exiting Belarus.

There have been several instances in which US citizens who also have Belarusian citizenship have entered Belarus using their Belarusian passports, but then could not leave as planned because their Belarusian passports had expired during their stay. This has also occurred with children entering Belarus using a "Certificate of Return" issued by a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate abroad. Since these travellers entered Belarus using Belarusian passports, they must also use them when they depart.

It may take weeks or even months to obtain a new Belarusian passport. Lengthy delays may arise because all US-issued documents (such as birth or marriage certificates) submitted in support of a Belarusian passport application must carry an Apostille issued by the Secretary of State in the US state where the document was issued. Because both the US and Belarus are signatories of the Hague Apostille Convention, the Government of Belarus cannot accept US-issued documents without an Apostille.

Therefore, dual citizens who plan to enter Belarus using their Belarusian passports should ensure their passports will be valid for their entire stay in Belarus. They should also carry Apostilled copies of any US-issued birth or marriage certificates that might be required if the passport is lost or stolen.

Dual citizens may need to carry Apostilled copies of US-issued documents when travelling

It is possible to be a citizen of both the United States and Belarus. However, dual citizens should be aware of the laws and requirements of both countries. For instance, while US immigration law requires Americans to use US passports when entering or leaving the US, Belarusian law requires Belarusian citizens to use Belarusian passports to enter and depart Belarus.

There have been instances where US citizens with dual Belarusian citizenship entered Belarus using their Belarusian passports but faced difficulties leaving the country because their passports had expired or been lost. This is because, by using their Belarusian passports to enter the country, they must also use them to depart. Furthermore, males of conscript age (18-27) who are deemed Belarusian citizens may have trouble leaving if they have not completed their military service.

To avoid such issues, dual citizens should ensure their Belarusian passports are valid for their entire stay in Belarus. It is also recommended that they carry Apostilled copies of any US-issued birth or marriage certificates, as these may be required if their passport is lost or stolen. Obtaining a new Belarusian passport can take a significant amount of time, and US-issued documents submitted in support of a Belarusian passport application must carry an Apostille from the US state where the document was issued. Both the US and Belarus are signatories of the Hague Apostille Convention, so Belarus cannot accept US-issued documents without an Apostille.

An Apostille is a form of certification that verifies the signatures, stamps, or seals on important documents, including birth and marriage certificates. It is required for documents to be legally recognised in countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention, which includes Belarus. To obtain an Apostille for a state-issued document, individuals must contact the respective US state's secretary of state. For federally-issued documents, an Apostille from the US Department of State is necessary.

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