Bangladesh: Whether an individual who has renounced citizenship of Bangladesh by acquiring citizenship in Singapore is able to reclaim citizenship; the requirements and procedures for reacquiring citizenship
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Publication Date | 8 February 2012 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BGD103911.E |
| Related Document(s) | Bangladesh : information indiquant si une personne qui a renoncé à la citoyenneté bangladaise en acquérant celle de Singapour peut récupérer sa citoyenneté; les exigences et la marche à suivre pour récupérer la citoyenneté |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bangladesh: Whether an individual who has renounced citizenship of Bangladesh by acquiring citizenship in Singapore is able to reclaim citizenship; the requirements and procedures for reacquiring citizenship, 8 February 2012, BGD103911.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/50bf2b522.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
1. Renunciation of Bangladeshi Citizenship
In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an official at the Canadian high commission in Dhaka stated that Bangladeshis who are applying for citizenship in a country that does not accept dual citizenship can obtain a renunciation certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs or from a Bangladeshi embassy/high commission abroad (Canada 10 Jan. 2012). The official added that a person seeking to renounce Bangladeshi citizenship needs only to write a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs indicating his or her intention and a certificate will be issued (ibid.).
The website of the High Commission of Bangladesh in Singapore states that if an individual becomes a citizen of Singapore, it is necessary to renounce the citizenship of his or her country of origin (Bangladesh n.d.a). The High Commission's website also provides the procedures and a form for renouncing Bangladeshi citizenship (ibid. n.d.b).
2. Requirements and Procedures for Reacquiring Citizenship
The Canadian official stated that it is possible for an individual who has renounced the citizenship of Bangladesh to reclaim it, although there is no formal mechanism to do so (10 Jan. 2012).
In response to a Research Directorate question asking whether there are any factors that would influence an individual's ability to reclaim Bangladeshi citizenship (e.g., obtaining citizenship from a particular country), the Canadian official stated that "[t]he Ministry of Home Affairs has advised us that there are no impediments to reclaiming Bangladeshi citizenship after it has been renounced - 'if you are born a Bangladeshi you will always be Bangladeshi'" (ibid.). However, the official also added that "[p]olice clearance may be required" (ibid.).
The official explained that the Government of Bangladesh "does not issue citizenship certificates, and that one can simply apply for a national certificate or for a passport" (ibid.). The official provided the following information about obtaining a Bangladeshi national certificate:
[O]ne must go to the municipality office, city corporation office (only in big cities), [or] local chairman's office and request one. There is no uniform form, and in rural areas, the process is rather informal, and they are easily obtainable. These documents hold little weight. (ibid.)
The Canadian official also provided the following information about obtaining a Bangladeshi passport:
In order to apply for a passport, one needs a duly completed passport application form, and two copies of passport sized and one stamp sized photo, the usual fee, a copy of their birth certificate or a copy of their national ID card. If a birth certificate or national ID is not available, a secondary school certificate may also be used. The application form must be attested by an authorized person (for example: government employees, university teachers, etc.). (ibid.)
In further correspondence, the Canadian official confirmed that an individual would be able to reclaim citizenship at a Bangladeshi embassy and that the steps to do so would be the same (ibid. 21 Jan. 2012).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Canada. 21 January 2012. High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh, Dhaka. Correspondance from an official to the Research Directorate.
_____. 10 January 2012. High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh, Dhaka. Correspondance from an official to the Research Directorate.
Bangladesh. N.d.a. High Commission of Bangladesh, Singapore. "Requirement for Applying for a Job in Singapore."
Bangladesh. N.d.b. High Commission of Bangladesh, Singapore."Requirements for Renunciation of Citizenship."
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Representatives of the Embassy of Bangladesh to the United States, and the high commissions of Bangladesh in Ottawa, Singapore and London were unable to provide information within the time constraints of this Response. Efforts to contact Ain O Salish Kendra; Asian Human Rights Commission; Bangladesh — Department of Immigration and Passports, Law Commission of Bangladesh, Legal Aid and Services Trust, National Human Rights Commission; and two immigration lawyers in Bangladesh were unsuccessful. A professor of political science with a specialization in Bangladesh was unable to provide information for this Response.
Internet sites, including: Bangladesh — Department of Immigration and Passports, Embassy of Bangladesh to the United States, the high commissions in London, New Delhi and Ottawa, National Web Portal of Bangladesh; European Country of Origin Information Network; United Kingdom Home Office; United Nations — Integrated Regional Information Networks, Refworld.
