In Pakistan, the process for acquiring citizenship is not automatic for foreign women married to Pakistani citizens. The Pakistani nationality law does provide provisions for foreign spouses of Pakistani citizens to apply for Pakistani citizenship, but it involves a specific application process and requirements.
Foreign women married to Pakistani citizens are eligible to apply for Pakistani citizenship under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951. The Act allows for the acquisition of citizenship through marriage, but it requires the foreign spouse to meet certain conditions and go through an application procedure.
The process typically involves submitting an application for citizenship to the relevant government authorities, along with supporting documents and fulfilling specific criteria such as residency requirements, language proficiency, and good character. The application will be reviewed, and if approved, the foreign spouse may be granted Pakistani citizenship.
Detailed article
In Pakistan, a foreign woman married to a Pakistani citizen does not acquire citizenship automatically. Instead, she is eligible to apply for citizenship under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951. The application process involves several steps and the submission of various documents to the relevant authorities.
To apply, the foreign spouse must submit Form “F” along with supporting documents such as a marriage certificate, copies of her husband’s Pakistani CNIC and passport, affidavits from both spouses, and evidence of residing in Pakistan for an aggregate period of five years. Additionally, the applicant must provide photographs, a domicile certificate if she is not a Commonwealth citizen, and an oath of allegiance taken before a First Class Magistrate (DGIP).
This process ensures that the foreign spouse meets specific criteria, including residency requirements and verification of the marriage’s authenticity, before citizenship can be granted. The application is then reviewed by the authorities, and if all conditions are met, citizenship may be approved.
Thus, while marriage to a Pakistani citizen facilitates the process, it does not confer automatic citizenship; a formal application and approval are mandatory.
