BHUTAN 

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship is based upon the Nationality Law of Bhutan, dated 1958, and the Bhutan Citizenship Act, dated 1977 and 1985.

• BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Bhutan does not automatically confer citizenship.
• BY DESCENT:
• Person born before June 10, 1985: Child of a Bhutanese father who was resident in Bhutan at the time, regardless of the country of birth.
• Person born on or after June 10, 1985: Child of both a Bhutanese mother and father, regardless of the country of birth.
• REGISTRATION: On June 10, 1985, citizenship by registration was granted to persons who had legally resided in Bhutan since before December 31, 1958.
• MARRIAGE: When a Bhutanese woman marries a foreign man, husband and children must apply for citizenship through naturalization. When a Bhutanese man marries a foreign woman, the wife must apply for citizenship, while the children are granted Bhutanese citizenship by descent.
• BY NATURALIZATION: Bhutanese citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the conditions listed below and upon obtaining permission of government:
• Naturalized before June 10, 1985: Person had reached age 21, had resided in country for at least 10 years, owned agricultural land, and had the petition for naturalization accepted by government authority.
• Naturalized after June 10, 1985: Person is 21 years old, has resided in country for 15 years if one or more parents is a citizen, (20 years for child of non-citizen), and knows the language and customs.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP:  NOT RECOGNIZED.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

• VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of citizenship is permitted by law, but subject to final approval by the government. Contact the Mission for details and required paperwork.
• INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Bhutanese citizenship:
• Person voluntarily acquires a foreign citizenship, has left the country, and is residing abroad or is working for a foreign state.
• Naturalized citizenship was obtained through fraud or falsehoods.
• Naturalized citizen is imprisoned within first 5 years in country.