Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship in 2025: Top 14 Countries You Should Know

Have you heard that Qatar, Japan, Monaco, Finland, Bhutan, are a few of the hardest countries to get Citizenship in the world? Obtaining a Permanent residency or citizenship in a foreign country can be complex as the immigration procedures in a few countries have more stringent policies.

Let’s together delve into the article, where we list the world's 14 hardest countries to get citizenship. Let’s take a look!

Top 14 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship

The list of hardest countries is based on the official reports available on the internet stating the hardest countries to get citizenship, let's dive in detail and understand why they are the hardest passport to get.

1. Qatar

Qatar is one of the most difficult countries to obtain citizenship. The process is long and complicated, and there are very few avenues through which one can become a citizen. The laws of Qatar, clearly specify that they do not practice dual citizenship countries, making it necessary to renunciation of the original passport of the person.

The vast majority of citizens are either born into Qatari families or granted citizenship through marriages to Qataris. Otherwise, citizenship is typically only available to those who have been employed by the government for many years or have made significant investments in the country.

2. Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, with a population of just over 800. It's also one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. There are only two ways to become a citizen of Vatican City - that is to be born there or be appointed by the Pope.

If you're not born in Vatican City, your only hope of becoming a citizen is to be appointed by the Pope. The Pope appoints citizens for specific roles within the Vatican, such as diplomats or members of the Swiss Guard. So unless you have some serious skills or connections, it's unlikely you'll ever become a citizen of Vatican City.

Also Read: All About Canadian Citizenship for Indians

3. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in Europe. The principality, which is located between Austria and Switzerland, has a population of just over 37,000.

The country's citizenship requirements are some of the most stringent in the world. Applicants must have lived in Liechtenstein for at least 30 years and must be able to prove that they are financially stable and have integrated into the community. They must also pass a language test.

Given these requirements, it's no surprise that Liechtenstein is top among the hardest country to get citizenship list. In fact, only around 20 people per year are granted citizenship by the country's parliament.

4. Bhutan

Bhutan is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. The small landlocked country in the Himalayas has a population of just over 700,000 and a very low rate of naturalization. There are only about 1,000 foreigners who have been granted Bhutanese citizenship since 1949.

The process of becoming a Bhutanese citizen is long and complicated. As per the Bhutanese Citizenship Act 1985, applicants must have lived in the country for at least 15 years, be proficient in the Dzongkha language, and have a clean criminal record.

They must also pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of Bhutanese history, culture, and religion. Even then, citizenship is not guaranteed – it’s up to the discretion of the government whether or not to grant an applicant citizenship.

5. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is considered to be the toughest country to get PR in the world. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that Saudi Arabia does not allow dual citizenship and requires all citizens to be Muslim. In addition, Saudi Arabia has strict requirements for foreigners who wish to become citizens, including a minimum age of 21 and a residency requirement of five years.

While it is difficult to get citizenship in Saudi, it's easy to get a job with its neighbor, the UAE for Job seeker Visa and later convert it to a citizenship status

6. Kuwait

Kuwait is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. The government is very selective about who they allow into the country, and they have a strict set of requirements that must be met to be granted citizenship - Kuwaiti National Law, 1959.

To even be considered for Kuwaiti citizenship, you must first obtain a residency permit. This can be a difficult process in itself, as there are only a limited number of permits available each year.

Once you have obtained a residency permit, you must then live in Kuwait for at least 10 years before you can apply for citizenship.

7. Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its mountainous landscapes and picturesque villages, as well as its stringent immigration policies. Citizenship in Switzerland is difficult to obtain, and the process can be lengthy and expensive.

There are several requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for Swiss citizenship.

• First, an applicant must have lived in Switzerland for at least 12 years.
• Second, they must demonstrate their integration into Swiss society through their knowledge of one of the national languages and their involvement in the community.
• Finally, they must pass a civic exam which tests their knowledge of Swiss history and culture.

Explore: Cost of Studying in Switzerland for International Students

8. China

If you are thinking about which country is the hardest to get citizenship then the answer is China. In order to become a Chinese citizen, you must be of Chinese descent. This means that you must have at least one parent who is of Chinese nationality. If you are not of Chinese descent, then you are not eligible for citizenship.

Chinese citizenship can also be acquired through marriage to a Chinese citizen. However, the marriage must be registered with the Chinese government in order for it to be recognized.

9. North Korea

North Korea is one of the hardest citizenship to get. This country is one of the most secretive countries worldwide and it is believed that is close to impossible to get citizenship here. Only the presidium of the supreme people’s assembly can grant citizenship to a foreigner.

10. Japan

The island nation of Japan is one of the most difficult countries in which to obtain citizenship. The process is long and arduous and requires a significant investment of both time and money.

To begin with, as per the Nationality law, 1950 prospective citizens must have lived in Japan for at least 5 years. During that time, they must have held a valid work visa and maintained a clean criminal record. They must also pass a rigorous Japanese language test.

Once those requirements are met, applicants must submit a detailed application to the Ministry of Justice. The application includes fingerprints, photos, and other personal information. It can take months or even years to hear back from the ministry on whether the application has been approved or denied.

11. San Marino

San Marino is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. The requirements are very strict and the process is long and complicated. To become a citizen of San Marino, you must have lived in the country for at least 10 years. You must also be over 18 years of age, have a clean criminal record, and be able to speak Italian fluently.

The first step in the process is to submit an application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once your application has been approved, you will need to take a citizenship test. This test covers topics such as history, culture, and politics.

If you pass the citizenship test, you will then need to go through a personal interview with a panel of judges. After that, you will take an oath of allegiance to San Marino and finally be granted citizenship.

12. Austria

Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is bordered by eight other countries, making it one of the most difficult places to become a naturalized citizen. The process requires 12 years of continuous residency, including three years of marriage to an Austrian citizen, and passing a language test. Even then, citizenship is not guaranteed and can be denied at the discretion of the Austrian government. However, it is easy to get a Red-white-Red-Card in Austria.

13. Monaco

Monaco is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe.

Monaco is bordered by France to the north, east, and west, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The official language of Monaco is French, although Monégasque, Italian, and English are also spoken.

The Principality of Monaco is not a member of the European Union but it is closely linked to the EU through its customs union agreement with France and its membership in various international organizations such as UNESCO and Interpol.

14. Finland

Finland is considered to be the hardest country to get permanent residency, due in large part to their stringent requirements and lack of flexibility.

To be eligible for Finnish citizenship, an applicant must have a continuous residence in the country for at least eight years, as well as be proficient in the Finnish language.

In addition, they must have a clean criminal record and show that they are financially stable. The process is also quite lengthy, taking upwards of two years to complete.

Also Read: Cost of Studying in Finland for International Students

Navigate the Immigration Challenges with GetGIS

It is no secret that some countries are harder to get citizenship than others. This article has provided a list of the most difficult countries to get citizenship. The stringent requirements, prolonged timelines, and complex regulations can make the journey seem daunting.

For those considering this challenging yet rewarding path, seeking professional guidance is invaluable. GetGIS offers expert immigration services to help you navigate the complexities of acquiring citizenship. Our experienced consultants provide personalized support, ensuring you are well informed and equipped to meet the necessary requirements.

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