Restoring Chinese Citizenship

[HeartNSoul]

Hello everyone

I've read the Chinese Nationality Law and it seems that I can be able to restore my Chinese citizenship?

I was born in China, and I moved to the US when I was 8. I became a US citizen around 15 years old, and now I want to restore my Chinese citizenship.

From the article, it states that ones with relatives who are Chinese citizenship can revert and restore Chinese citizenship.

I have many near relatives who are all Chinese citizens living in China.

Is it as easy as it states?

[lordnikon]

Yes but the first step would be to renounce your US citizenship. You need to read the Chinese Nationality Law more carefully, dual citizenship is strictly forbidden the reason you lost your chinese citizenship in the first place is because you became a citizen of another country which will immediately cause chinese government to revoke your citizenship

[roddy]

Is it that easy even then? I can see it potentially being easier for people with close links to China (ie, they're ethnic Chinese and have relatives living in China) but in the past when it's come up it's been a case of 'damn near impossible AND you have to give up current citizenship'.

[Meng Lelan]

Get a lawyer who specializes in international law before you do anything. Only a lawyer can best advise what to do and how to do it.

[fanglu]

I don't see why you'd need a lawyer. Decide which nationality you want,if Chinese, go to china and restore your chinese nationality (which will involve surrendering your US passport).

I'm sure it's not easy but know it can be done by the Chinese MPS. It's only done within china as far as I know. They discourage people, thinking they already have enough citizens I guess. The combination of Chinese bureaucracy and an active policy of discouraging people regaining their Chinese citizenship probably means it's pretty difficult.

There is some information at http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n84147/n84211/n84334/n399176/1275664.html.

[gato]

Have you talked to your parents?

[roddy]

Ah, there's an actual form if you want to restore, rather than acquire for the first time. Can't see a lawyer being much use. Maybe one who specializes in having gone to school with the head of the provincial PSB rather than international law.

It's perhaps instructive that in several years of these queries popping up on here, we've not heard of anyone getting even as far as applying. But perhaps that's because we're so discouraging.

[Meng Lelan]

For someone in the US, a lawyer is essential to answering legal questions pertaining to international laws relating to citizenship, visas, and passport issues. Especially important if the OP is still having property, children, and or relatives in the US, related issues have to be addressed.

[fanglu]

It's perhaps instructive that in several years of these queries popping up on here, we've not heard of anyone getting even as far as applying.

It used to come up a bit at my former workplace too. Once you explained to people the downsides of giving up Australian citizenship in favour of Chinese citizenship (loss of right to reside in Australia, loss of access to Australian pension (they were mostly older people) etc.) they seemed to lose interest.

I think it only takes most people a moment's consideration to realise that even if getting Chinese citizenship was easy it wouldn't really be a good idea.

[Meng Lelan]

Right. It's a lot like divorce, trading one set of problems for a different set of problems.