Navigating Citizenship Tests: A Global Perspective

Besides economic benefits (particularly relevant in light of the ageing and shrinking population of the developed world), new citizens can be seen as adding diversity, new perspectives, and global connections. On the other hand, as the populist trends in many countries around the world in recent years have shown, in an increasingly fraught political and economic climate, immigrants and resident foreigners may be perceived as a threat as much as an opportunity. But this blog post is not about immigration, but about the hurdles and in particular the tests candidates must pass.

Some people, for a variety of reasons (most frequently because they have lived for many years in a country other than their own, or because they got married to a citizen of another country), sometimes have the opportunity to acquire a different or second nationality. Other than loads of paperwork and money, such endeavours also often require the successful passing of an exam testing the applicants knowledge of the country’s history, political structures and processes as well as local customs, food and drink.

The first country to introduce a citizenship test was America in 1887: it took the form of a language exam aimed at keeping out illiterate eastern and southern Europeans. Since the 1990s Canada, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Britain itself, have all followed suit. Many countries bill them as ‚integration‘ tests, but I wonder in what way the knowledge of who William III fought at the battle of the Boyne in 1690 or who Kenneth MacAlpin was makes an applicant a more worthy British citizen.

Much more important, at least so it seems to me, is a good understanding of a country’s political and legal system as well as a certain familiarity with local customs and traditions. And by the latter I don’t intend to imply that all immigrants should adopt them. In Switzerland, for example, applicants for citizenship rather than sit a test have to attend an interview in their local town hall where they are likely to be tested on their knowledge of local culinary specialties, besides the obvious questions on history, political systems and geography. Typically applicants could be asked to name two Swiss cheeses, what is Rivella (a popular Swiss soft drink made from milk whey) or to list two traditional Swiss sports. And your neighbours could potentially object to you being awarded a Swiss passport.

While some questions you may be asked in Switzerland (or other European countries) may seem strange, other countries have outright weird requirements to become a naturalised citizen: Liberia, for example, requires that ‘…only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalisation to be citizens’. Qatar has a strict residency requirement of 25 years but heavily favours individuals with Qatari ancestry, limiting access to the process to others. In Romania apparently it is a requirement to know at least some of the lyrics of the national anthem (I don’t know whether you are required to sing it as well). And only those employed by the Vatican or the Holy See (e.g., clergy, Swiss Guards) are eligible for citizenship – which is typically lost when the employment ends.

A number of countries also offer so-called citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs, allowing individuals to obtain citizenship in exchange for a qualifying investment. These programs typically require investments in real estate, government bonds, business ventures, or national development funds such as in Malta and Turkey. Obviously no need to feel close to or integrated into the natural culture. Other nations provide fast-track residency-to-citizenship options (Greece, Portugal and Spain, for example), which offer the passport in conjunction with a Golden Visa after a number of years of residency. A Golden Visa typically is again linked to some sort of investment and, for the EU-variety, allows visa-free travel within the Schengen area. Even the US with its EB-5 visa offers a pathway to the coveted Green Card if you are prepared to invest roughly $1 million. These schemes will no doubt particularly apply to citizens of countries which for whatever reasons are not generally considered in high regard and the passport of which somewhat restrict their movement.

Born citizens of a country have it good in comparison: We learn about history, geography and politics while at school – and probably never will use much of the information again. We have the local culture instilled into us from a young age. And for most of us we just fit in naturally. But then I wonder whether we would actually be able to successfully pass the interviews or other tests foreigners are required to take to join our citizenry: For sure I would be able to answer a fair number of the questions as far as Switzerland is concerned, but enough of them to pass? To be honest I am not convinced.

So is it worth it, jumping through loads of hoops to become a citizen of another country? I suppose it depends on your reasons and your motivation. Of course the natives feel protective of their homeland, but immigration per se isn‘t bad, and a bit of cultural diversity can only be a good thing. I was born Swiss and over 20 years ago had (and took) the opportunity to acquire the British citizenship as well. For work reasons I have since returned to Switzerland, but now as then I feel connected to and at home in the United Kingdom.