Reflections on Global Mobility and the Acquisition of Foreign Citizenship
If I asked you to choose between maintaining only your (insert your country here) citizenship or acquiring the citizenship of a nation with one of the world’s strongest passports, which would you choose?
You’re probably looking at me like I’ve asked a trick question. The answer seems obvious. For many people, the chance to secure a passport that opens global doors is a no-brainer. And indeed, when the opportunity presents itself, increasing numbers are opting to acquire foreign citizenship.
Typically, our first citizenship is inherited, passed on by our parents, particularly through our father’s nationality in many cultures. Some are fortunate to be born in countries that grant citizenship by birthright. Others discover their eligibility through ancestral ties: countries that recognise lineage as a pathway, sometimes even through grandparents.
But beyond birth or heritage, people today are exploring other routes to second citizenship. The idea of being bound forever to one place simply because of origin is losing ground. Global mobility has become a crucial part of the foreign policy of nations, as well as a practical necessity and dream for many. Who says we must remain where we were born?
Citizenship through naturalisation, marriage, long-term residence, or investment are all widely used pathways. In particular, citizenship by investment, where individuals purchase property, launch a business, or make qualifying financial contributions to a nation, is becoming increasingly popular. Countries see this as a way to attract capital, while applicants see it as a way to access better opportunities, freedom of movement, or stability.
The Ancient Roots of Modern Citizenship
If you’ve ever wondered about the origins of alternative citizenship, look no further than the Roman Empire, over 2,000 years ago.
Roman citizenship was not only a legal status but also a tool of imperial policy. It was used to secure loyalty, extend influence, and strengthen military and economic reach. A striking biblical account illustrates this: Acts of the Apostles 22: 25–28 (NLT) recounts an exchange between Apostle Paul and Roman officials:
“When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there,
‘Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?’
The officer panicked and told the commander, who asked Paul, ‘Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?’
‘Yes, I certainly am,’ Paul replied. ‘I am, too,’ the commander said, ‘and it cost me plenty!’
Paul answered, ‘But I am a citizen by birth!’”
This passage reveals that Roman citizenship could be acquired either by birth or by purchase — an ancient form of what we now call citizenship by investment.
Roman museums in places like Bath, UK, hold further evidence of how Roman citizenship was distributed to extend power. Freed slaves, foreign soldiers, and local elites were often granted citizenship, particularly after serving Rome’s interests.
Paul, though an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin, was born a Roman citizen, likely due to the status his parents earned either through military service or freedom from slavery. His citizenship gave him protections others didn’t have.
Modern Parallels: The UK Citizenship Act
Fast forward to 1948. In the aftermath of World War II, Britain faced a labour shortage. Entire generations of young men had been lost to war. Rebuilding the economy required manpower, and fast. The UK introduced its British Nationality Act around the same time the ship, HMT Empire Windrush docked, bringing nearly 500 Caribbean immigrants, many of whom had served in the war. This marked the beginning of what would be known as the Windrush Generation — people from the Caribbean and other Commonwealth countries who migrated to help rebuild Britain.
From 1948 to 1971, thousands arrived and were absorbed into sectors like health care, transport, and manufacturing. Their legal right to live and work in the UK was never in question until 2018.
That year, many from the Windrush Generation, now elderly and established in Britain, were suddenly targeted by immigration enforcement and even deported. This scandal exposed the fragility of their legal status and highlighted how citizenship policies can shift with political tides.
Just as the Romans used citizenship to grow their empire, post-war Britain used it to meet urgent domestic needs, then changed the rules when those needs evolved.
Citizenship as an Economic Strategy
Today, countries continue to use immigration and citizenship as strategic tools. The UK offers several visa categories that can lead to citizenship over time — Skilled Worker Visas, Global Talent Visas, Innovator Founder Visas, and Healthcare Visas, among others. Each visa category reflects a gap the country aims to fill.
It’s not just the UK. Most Western nations face declining birth rates and ageing populations. Europe, the United States, and Canada are all seeing population shrinkage and workforce shortages. Citizenship policies are now deployed as part of economic balancing strategies to attract younger, skilled, or wealthy migrants.
Meanwhile, Africa’s population is growing rapidly, especially among the youth. But many countries on the continent face economic stagnation or instability, making it easier for Western nations to attract African talent through liberal immigration policies. While it may appear like an act of generosity, it is often a calculated move to benefit the host nation.
The Future of Citizenship Policy
These policies are not static. In the UK, the current demand is for care workers, making the “Care Visa” one of the most accessible pathways. But imagine a near future where artificial intelligence can manage elderly care tasks more efficiently, or when the current ageing population has naturally declined. That visa category could disappear, leaving those who arrived under its terms vulnerable to shifting priorities.
Similarly, countries that offer citizenship by investment are usually more interested in your capital than your culture. The prized passport is exchanged for money, and once their economic objectives are met, those same doors can close just as easily.
Italy, modern-day Rome, has recently tightened its citizenship regulations as of 2025. The country that once pioneered citizenship as a tool of empire is now among the strictest in Europe.
Citizenship Isn’t a Favour
So, should you pursue a second citizenship if you can? Absolutely — if it aligns with your goals. But do so with your eyes wide open. Understand that countries are not granting citizenship out of goodwill. They are acting in their best interests. Their policies will shift, sometimes without notice, and always in response to their national priorities, not yours.
As the Romans, the British, and others have shown, citizenship is often a transactional and strategic tool, not a sentimental gesture. Remain aware and alert, and maybe always remember, you came from somewhere, and home is always happy to receive you, irrespective of what you have been through. And that, as always, is the way I see things today.
This article was co-written with Sonayon Ajose, who very generously contributed to most of the research.