Discover the Top 7 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Citizenship You Never Knew!
1. No Citizenship for Seafarer and Sky-born Babies
Ahoy, matey! Don't be fooled by tales of international buccaneers or sky-bound storks delivering babies in-flight: Contrary to popular belief, being born on an aircraft or ship does not automatically grant you citizenship to the country the vessel is registered in. Instead, it's all about your parents' nationality, the law of the land, or a case-by-case basis for our Canadian and American friends, with the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness providing a compass for those who would otherwise be lost at sea... or in the air!
Source => en.wikipedia.org
2. The Parent-Based Passport Patchwork
If Lizzie McGuire and Captain Planet had a multicultural baby, it'd be the personification of jus sanguinis: this principle of nationality law grants citizenship based on the nationality or ethnicity of one's parents, allowing individuals to inherit multiple citizenships from countries such as Italy, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Lebanon, Armenia, Hungary, or Romania, regardless of their birthplace, creating an eclectic tapestry of cultural heritage.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
Did you know that former rival Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both passed away on the same day, July 4, 1826 - the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence? Discover their unique story and how their animosity transformed into an unexpected friendship. 🇺🇸❤️📝
=> Fun Facts about Presidents
3. The Chilly Virtual Antarctic Citizenship
Ever thought of becoming an Antarctic citizen without freezing your assets off? Well, ice to meet you: Artists Lucy and George Orta's Antarctica World Passport program allows people to virtually become "citizens" of the frosty continent, as long as they commit to sustainability, peace, and equality—just remember the passport is a symbolic, non-legal document, so don't pack your parka just yet!
Source => smithsonianmag.com
4. Vatican City's Exclusive Holy-Membership
In Vatican City, they like to keep things exclusive: only the crème de la crème of holy rollers get to call this divine utopia their home. That's right, citizenship here isn't your average birthright lottery – only around 450 saintly VIPs, out of a population of 800, bask in the glory of full citizenship, earned through office or service. And when they're done with their holy duties? Bam! Citizenship revoked and replaced with an Italian passport as they're gently booted out through the pearly gates.
Source => vaticancitytours.it
5. The Luxury of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship
Ready for a jaw-dropping Caribbean escape that you don't even have to pack your bags for? Let us introduce you to the tiny dual-island nation of St Kitts and Nevis, where the red carpet is already unrolled for wealthy travelers seeking exotic new horizons: For a sizeable financial investment – either a non-refundable donation to state initiatives or an exclusive real estate purchase – well-heeled globetrotters and their families can obtain citizenship and a spanking new travel document without ever stepping foot on the islands. The cherry on this tax-free sundae? A St Kitts and Nevis passport grants visa-free access to 156 countries, including the United States, upper-crust tax benefits, and exemption from income, wealth, and inheritance levies. Ahoy, tax haven paradise!
Source => immigrantinvest.com
6. Spear-Wielding Folks with Zero Citizenship
Who needs passports when you've got spears and a remote island? : The Sentinelese people, residing on the off-the-grid North Sentinel Island, resist any contact with the outside world and protect their homeland with a fierce intensity, leading to occasional deadly encounters. Thanks to their isolation and India's protective laws, they're citizens of precisely zero countries!
Source => forbes.com
7. US Permanent Residency Secrets for Diplomatic Babies
Psst! Hey there, diplomatic baby! How'd you like your citizenship on a silver platter, with a sprinkling of red tape on top? Gather 'round for this juicy government secret: If you were born in the United States to a foreign diplomatic officer accredited to the US, you're not automatically a US citizen, but don't fret! You're eligible for permanent residency by simply creating a record and following the steps laid out by Uncle Sam. Voilà, citizenship à la carte!
Source => uscis.gov