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The Bhutan Citizenship Act, 1977
Conditions Required for the Grant of Citizenship:
KA
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In the case of government servants an applicant should have
completed 15 years of service without any adverse record.
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In the case of those not employed in the Royal Government,
an applicant should have resided in Bhutan for a minimum period
of 20 years.
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In addition, an applicant should have some knowledge of the
Bhutanese language both spoken and written and the history
of Bhutan. Only those applicants who fulfill the above requirements
may apply for grant of citizenship to the Ministry of Home
Affairs, which will ascertain the relevant factors and submit
the application to the Royal Government for further action.
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Eligibility and Power to Grant Citizenship:
KHA
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The power to grant or reject an application for citizenship
rests .solely with the Royal Government. Hence, all applicants
who .fulfill the above conditions are not necessarily eligible
for grant of citizenship.
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Any applicant holding the citizenship of another country
or with criminal records in other countries or those who are
related to any person involved in activities against the people,
the country and the King shall not be granted citizenship
even if all the other conditions are fulfilled.
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A person granted citizenship by the Royal Government is required
to register his/her name in the record of the Royal Government
from the date of the grant of the citizenship.
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All those granted citizenship are required to take the following
oath to be administered by the Home Minister.
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Henceforth, I owe allegiance only to His Majesty the Druk
Gyalpo of Bhutan.
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I shall abide by observe and the laws and regulations of
the Royal Government with unswerving reverence.
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I shall observe all the customs and traditions of the people
of Bhutan.
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I shall not commit any act against the TSA-WAS-SUM of Bhutan
(the country, the people and the King).
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As a citizen of Bhutan, I hereby take this oath in the
name of Yeshey Goempo and undertake to serve the country
to the best of my ability.
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Special Grant of Citizenship
GA
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- A foreigner in possession of special or extraordinary qualifications
will be granted citizenship without consideration of the required
conditions except for the administration of the oath of allegiance.
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Renouncement & Re-application of Citizenship:
NGA
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In the case of a Bhutanese citizen, who having left the country
returns and applies for citizenship, the Royal Government
shall keep the applicant on probation for a period of at least
two years. On successful completion of the probation period,
the applicant will be granted citizenship provided the person
in question is not responsible for any activities against
the Royal Government.
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A foreigner who has been granted Bhutanese citizenship may
apply to the Royal Government for permission to emigrate with
his/her family. Permission will be granted after an investigation
of the circumstances relating to such a request. After grant
of permission to emigrate, the same person may not re-apply
for Bhutanese citizenship. In the event of adult family members
of any person permitted to leave the country, who do not wish
to leave and makes an application to that effect, the Home
Minister will investigate the matter and will permit such
persons to remain in the country after ascertaining that the
countrys interest is not harmed.
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If anyone, whether a real Bhutanese or a foreigner granted
citizenship, applies for permission to emigrate during times
of crises such as war, the application shall be kept pending
until normalcy returns.
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Procedure for Acquisition of Citizenship:
CHA
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When a Bhutanese woman is married to a foreigner, only she
is a citizen, her husband and their children will not be considered
as Bhutanese citizens. If they desire Bhutanese citizenship,
such cases will be considered in conformity with the procedure
laid down in this Act applicable to foreigners applying for
citizenship.
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When a Bhutanese man is married to foreign woman their children
will be considered Bhutanese. The wife will have to fulfil
the requirements of this Citizenship Act as applicable to
foreigners applying for citizenship.
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In the case of Bhutanese citizens residing in other countries,
the Citizenship Law subhead KA-12 No. 2 which is reproduced
below, shall be applicable.
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Reproduction of Thrimyic KA 12-2:
KA-12(2)
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With the exception of a genuine Bhutanese whose family is
domiciled in Bhutan but he himself has to stay away in another
country in connection with the works of the Royal Government,
private business or religious practices, all others who live
in foreign countries and serve the government and people of
such countries or have settled in a foreign country or are
holding official posts in a foreign government are considered
non-nationals.
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Registration Procedure:
CHHA
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All children born of a father who is a Bhutanese citizen
should be registered in the official record within one year
of their birth whether the children are born inside or outside
the country
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All children born within the country are required to be listed
with the Dzongkhag or the Dungkhag of their birth. Children
of Bhutanese parentage born in other countries should be recorded
with the Royal Bhutanese Embassies. Where they are no Embassies
nearby the information should be conveyed to the Home Ministry
through correspondence.
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If a child is more than one year old and still not registered
in the official record, registration is not permitted but
may be applied for to the Home Ministry by the concerned local
authority. The Home Ministry will then investigate the matter
before granting permission for the registration.
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Validity of Census Record:
JA
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All census records must bear the seal of Royal Government
and the signature of an officer not lower in rank than a Dzongdag.
Other records will not be acceptable.
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Enquiry of Kashos:
NYA
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All Kashos with the people which were not granted by His
Majesty the King will be investigated by the Home Minister
and reported to the Royal Government.
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Penalty of Violation of Rules:
TA
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Any one having acquired Bhutanese citizenship if involved
in acts against the King or speaks against the Royal Government
or associates with people involved in activities against the
Royal Government shall be deprived of his/her Bhutanese citizenship.
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In the case of any person knowingly presenting false information
at the time of applying for citizenship, the Kasho granting
him/her citizenship will be withdrawn after due verification
of the false information presented.
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Status of the Provision:
THA
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In case of conflict between the provisions of this Act and
the Provisions of any previous laws, rules and regulations,
the provisions of this Act shall prevail.
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