By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Here are 10 of the hardest countries to obtain citizenship in and why they are so exclusive.
1. Bhutan
- You must reside in Bhutan for at least 20 years.
- You must have impeccable behaviour and avoid any criminal offences. Criticising the monarchy is strictly prohibited according to the Buthanese Citizen Act, of 1985. Any negative remarks about the king or government can result in citizenship denial.
2. Saudi Arabia
- Reside in the country for at least 10 years.
- Be fluent in Arabic, as language proficiency is a key factor in the application process.
- Contribute to the country economically or socially, meaning professionals with valuable skills or investments stand a better chance. Despite these rules, most foreign residents in Saudi Arabia remain on temporary work visas rather than gaining citizenship, as the process remains extremely selective.
3. Kuwait
- A minimum residency period of 20 years.
- The Kuwaiti National Law, of 1959 also demands fluency in Arabic. You must be a Muslim either by birth or through conversion. Even long-term expatriates, many of whom have lived in Kuwait for generations, struggle to obtain citizenship. Kuwait does not recognize dual citizenship.
4. Japan
- A minimum of 5 years of residency (which may sound low compared to other countries, but the process is highly restrictive).
- “Upright conduct”, meaning applicants must have a clean criminal record, stable employment, and a proven contribution to society according to the Nationality Law, 1950.
- Complete cultural assimilation, including fluency in Japanese and renouncing all other citizenships (as Japan does not allow dual nationality). Even meeting all these conditions does not guarantee approval, as Japan rarely grants citizenship to non-Japanese individuals.
5. Qatar
- 25 years of continuous residency.
- Demonstrated contribution to Qatari society through professional skills or investments.
- Fluency in Arabic and good moral standing. Qatar strictly controls its native population, meaning that even long-term residents, including those born in Qatar to foreign parents, often struggle to obtain citizenship.
- An additional criterion is the likely conversion to Islam.
6. Vatican City
- Cardinals residing in Vatican City or Rome.
- Diplomats representing the Holy See.
- Residents working directly for the Catholic Church.
- Vatican citizenship is not passed down by birth. Once an individual leaves their position, they lose their citizenship. This makes it virtually impossible for an outsider to obtain it.
7. Liechtenstein
- 30 years of continuous residency (one of the longest in the world).
- Fluency in German and integration into Liechtenstein’s society.
- A community vote, where local residents must approve your citizenship application.
- Marrying a Liechtenstein citizen can reduce the requirement to 10 years, but approval is still required. Even after meeting the strict criteria, many applications are rejected due to the country’s desire to maintain its small and homogenous population.
7. Liechtenstein
- 30 years of continuous residency (one of the longest in the world).
- Fluency in German and integration into Liechtenstein’s society.
- A community vote, where local residents must approve your citizenship application.
- Marrying a Liechtenstein citizen can reduce the requirement to 10 years, but approval is still required. Even after meeting the strict criteria, many applications are rejected due to the country’s desire to maintain its small and homogenous population.
8. Switzerland
- A minimum residency of 10 years.
- Holding a C residence permit.
- Proficiency in one of Switzerland’s official languages (German, French, Italian, or Romansh).
- Integration into Swiss culture, including knowledge of local customs and participation in community activities.
- Additionally, Swiss naturalization is not automatic—local authorities must approve each applicant, and rejection rates remain high.
9. China
- Marrying a Chinese citizen, though this does not guarantee approval.
- The Chinese nationality law also states “other legitimate reasons”, which are not clearly defined by the government.
- Additionally, there is no specific duration of residency stipulated in the law. China’s complex citizenship requirements deter most foreigners from pursuing Chinese citizenship. China also does not encourage dual nationality.
10. North Korea
- Being born to North Korean parents.
- Special government approval, which is rarely granted to foreigners. Even North Korean defectors who leave the country risk losing their citizenship forever. Given the country’s extreme secrecy and tight control over its population, acquiring North Korean citizenship as a foreigner is virtually impossible.
Pulse