Gambian nationality law
Nationality law is the law of a sovereign state, and of each of its jurisdictions, that defines the legal manner in which a national identity is acquired and how it may be lost. In international law, the legal means to acquire nationality and for ...
is regulated by the
Constitution of The Gambia, as amended; The Gambia Nationality and Citizenship Act, and its revisions; and various international agreements to which the country is a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of The Gambia. The legal means to acquire
nationality
Nationality is a legal identification of a person in international law, establishing the person as a subject, a ''national'', of a sovereign state. It affords the state jurisdiction over the person and affords the person the protection of the ...
, formal legal membership in a nation, differ from the domestic relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as
citizenship
Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection".
Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...
. Nationality describes the relationship of an individual to the state under international law, whereas citizenship is the domestic relationship of an individual within the nation. Gambian nationality is typically obtained under the principle of
jus sanguinis
( , , ; 'right of blood') is a principle of nationality law by which citizenship is determined or acquired by the nationality or ethnicity of one or both parents. Children at birth may be citizens of a particular state if either or both of t ...
, born to parents with Gambian nationality. It can be granted to persons with an affiliation to the country, or to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalisation.
Acquisition of nationality
Nationality can be acquired in The Gambia at birth or later in life through naturalization.
By birth
Those who acquire nationality at birth include:
* Children born anywhere who have at least one parent who is a national of Gambian origin.
By naturalisation
Naturalisation can be granted to persons who have resided in the territory of The Gambia for a sufficient period of time to confirm they understand the customs and traditions of the society. General provisions are that applicants have good character and conduct; are able to economically support themselves and their family; and intend to permanently reside in the territory. Applicants must typically have resided in the country for fifteen years. The law makes no provision for children adopted by Gambians, or children who live in the Gambia, but whose parents are unknown. Renunciation of other nationality is required for applicants to receive Gambian nationality. Besides foreigners meeting the criteria, other persons who may be naturalised include:
* The spouse of a Gambian national after seven years of residency; or
* Minor children can be automatically naturalised when their parent acquires nationality.
Loss of nationality
Gambian nationals can