Acquiring Chinese Citizenship by Descent
Eligibility Criteria (2025)
- ✅ Individuals born anywhere to at least one parent who is a Chinese citizen at the time of birth are eligible for citizenship by descent.
- ✅ Children born abroad to Chinese parents who have not settled abroad and acquired foreign citizenship retain Chinese nationality.
- ✅ Exception: Per Article 5 of the Nationality Law, if both parents (or one parent) are Chinese nationals settled abroad and the child acquires foreign nationality at birth, Chinese citizenship is not granted.
Required Documentation (2025)
- ✅ Applicant’s birth certificate (legalized/apostilled and translated into Chinese if necessary).
- ✅ Chinese parent’s birth certificate or citizenship documentation (e.g., Chinese passport or ID card issued by the Ministry of Public Security).
- ✅ Valid identification of the Chinese parent (e.g., current Chinese passport or national ID).
- ✅ Applicant’s valid passport or identification document, if applicable.
Application Process (2025)
- 📍 Citizenship by descent is automatic at birth if eligibility is met; no formal application is required unless registering abroad.
- 📍 Gather required documents and submit them to a Chinese embassy/consulate (if abroad) or local Public Security Bureau (if in China) to register citizenship.
- 📍 Await verification of documents by the Ministry of Public Security, which oversees citizenship matters.
- 📍 Upon confirmation, receive a Chinese passport or national ID card.
Additional Considerations (2025)
- 📌 China does **not recognize dual citizenship** (Article 3, Nationality Law). Individuals with foreign citizenship must renounce it to claim Chinese nationality.
- 📌 Per Article 9, Chinese nationals who settle abroad and voluntarily acquire foreign citizenship automatically lose Chinese nationality.
- 📌 More details can be found in the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China (official government reference).
Visa Falcon
Visa Falcon is here to help you confidently navigate the world of travel visas. Check the latest visa requirements for 197+ countries.
Documents
© 2025 Visafalcon.com. All rights reserved.