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Citizenship Facts & Worksheets

Citizenship is the legal status that a person or group of people have within a country. It is the right to have rights and to participate in the life affairs of the country.

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Citizenship is the legal status that a person or group of people have within a country. It is the right to have rights and to participate in the life affairs of the country.

See the fact file below for more information on Citizenship, or you can download our 23-page Citizenship worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP?

  • Citizenship is frequently used interchangeably with nationality. The legal rights and obligations of individuals related to nationality under domestic law are referred to when the term “citizenship” is used in a sense distinct from “nationality.” 
  • In some national laws, citizenship has a more defined definition and relates to rights and obligations that can only be carried out on the national territory or after reaching the age of majority, such as the ability to vote.
  • Citizenship is a legal bond that binds citizens together, enabling each to participate in the life of the community. To achieve it, you have to go through a process that focuses on giving you responsibilities and rights while also letting you build new relationships.
  • Citizenship is a right and privilege, not a reward. A person with citizenship has the right to be present in the country where he lives, and it means that they are able to vote and hold elective public offices.

OBTAINING CITIZENSHIP – HISTORICAL

  • Various countries, histories, societies, cultures, and ideologies have different traditions and approaches to citizenship throughout history, which has led to a wide range of interpretations of the notion of citizenship. 
  • The term “citizen” first appeared in Ancient Greece to refer to people who were legally entitled to take part in public matters. But not everyone was a citizen; slaves, peasants, women, and foreign residents were merely subjects.

OBTAINING CITIZENSHIP – MODERN

  • Citizenship has different values in different countries. Citizenship in various nations can include, among other things, the ability to vote, the right to hold public office, and the right to receive unemployment benefits.
  • A citizen is someone who actively participates in a political society. Meeting the legal requirements of a national, state, or local authority results in citizenship. 
  • People who are not born in the country or whose parents are foreigners normally have a lot of documentary requirements to comply with before the government eventually recognizes their citizenship.
  • Citizens of a country are given specific benefits and rights. Citizens are required to uphold their nation’s laws and protect them from outside threats in return. 

OBTAINING CITIZENSHIP IN SOME COUNTRIES

  • Australia – In general, adults over 18 who apply for Australian citizenship must be permanent residents at the time of application as well as when the decision is made. They must also have completed a citizenship exam unless they are over 60 to fulfill the requirement for residency.
  • United States – Being born in the country of the United States is the quickest way to obtain citizenship. However, if a person has been a permanent resident for at least five years, or three years if they are married to a citizen, they may be eligible for naturalization and can seek to become a citizen.
  • United Kingdom – One has reached the last stage of obtaining a British passport when they apply for naturalization or citizenship. Typically, obtaining British citizenship involves years of serious work and careful planning.
  • Spending five years in the UK on a long-term visa and one year as a permanent resident is required in order to receive a British passport. Although, husbands and wives of British citizens are the lone exception. After settling permanently in the UK and residing there for three years, they can seek British citizenship.
  • Japan – A person must have lived in Japan for at least five years in a row and have had a legal status of residence the entire time in order to qualify for Japanese citizenship. The person must be at least 20 years old and fully capable of acting under the laws of his or her own country.
  • China – If they have close relatives who are Chinese citizens, have a permanent address in mainland China or a special administrative region, or have other “legitimate reasons,” foreigners may naturalize or receive citizenship as Chinese nationals.
  • Egypt – Two years of marriage must pass after filing for citizenship in Egypt before citizenship is given. For the majority of other people, getting citizenship requires securing a presidential decree and a 10-year residency requirement.
  • South Africa – An individual must first be a permanent resident of South Africa for five years before applying for naturalization. Before submitting an application for citizenship, it is necessary to have lived continuously in South Africa for a year. Lastly, the person must be skilled in one of the 11 official languages of South Africa.
  • Germany – A person must have had a valid residence permit in Germany for at least eight years in order to be qualified for citizenship. After seven years, foreigners who have accomplished an integration course are qualified for naturalization.
  • Canada – One must first immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident before naturalizing. As with all immigration systems in Canada, only certain individuals who are permanent residents are qualified to apply for citizenship.
  • Argentina – Only the offspring of Argentine original citizens who were born abroad are eligible to choose to become citizens of Argentina. Through naturalization, foreigners and spouses of Argentine citizens who have lived there continuously for two years are eligible to become citizens of Argentina.

IMPORTANCE OF CITIZENSHIP

  • The rights to vote, hold public office, social security, health care, public education, permanent residency, land ownership, and employment are just a few of the many legal advantages that come with being a recognized citizen of a nation. 
  • Additionally, citizenship has advantages for society as a whole, such as educational institutions.
  • It supports the development of motivated and responsible students who interact favorably with faculty members, other students, and the local community for schools and other educational institutions. 
  • It benefits society by fostering engaged and accountable citizens who are eager to take part in national and international affairs and contribute to the democratic process.

REVOCATION OF CITIZENSHIP

  • A person’s citizenship could be canceled for reasons such as fraud in the naturalization process, such as fictitious marriages, refusal to relinquish another citizenship after promising to do so throughout the naturalization process, and even serious legal violations, such as treason.
  • Citizenship can also be relinquished when one person decides to swear allegiance to a country that do not allow dual citizenship or with a condition in politics.
  • As they might obtain citizenship at the same time as their parents, children might occasionally lose their citizenship at the same time as their parents. 
  • Following a foreigner’s adoption of them or other events involving their parents, such as the annulment of pregnancy or paternity, children may also lose their citizenship.

CITIZENSHIP ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS

  • Through a variety of institutions, the UN system promotes global citizenship principles. Article 15 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: 

“Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.”

  • The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination also promotes inclusivity of people regardless of their race. As long as they comply with a country’s requirements for citizenship, they should not be denied.
  • Although stateless, these people who are not citizens are still protected by certain human rights, such as the freedom to practice their religion and freedom as regards the religious education of their children. The state shall accord to stateless persons the same treatment as is accorded to aliens generally.
  • As to refugees, the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees states that:
    • “The personal status of a stateless person shall be governed by the law of the country of his domicile or, if he has no domicile, by the law of the country of his residence.”

Citizenship Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Citizenship across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Citizenship, which is the legal status that a person or group of people have within a country. It is the right to have rights and to participate in the life affairs of the country.

Citizenship Worksheets
Citizenship Worksheets
Citizenship Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

  1. Citizenship Facts
  2. Citizens Around the World
  3. Earning Citizenship
  4. Showing Loyalty
  5. My Rights as a Citizen
  6. Foreigners have Rights Too!
  7. Losing Citizenship
  8. A Good Citizen
  9. Make it Right
  10. Citizenship Day
  11. I am a Proud Citizen

Frequently Asked Questions

What is citizenship?

Citizenship is the status of being a member of a particular country and enjoying the rights and privileges afforded to its citizens.

What are the different types of citizenship?

The two main types of citizenship are birthright citizenship and naturalized citizenship. Birthright citizenship is acquired by being born in a particular country, while naturalized citizenship is acquired through a legal process.

What are the rights and responsibilities of citizenship?

The rights of citizenship can vary by country, but typically include the right to vote, the right to work and live in the country, and the right to access certain services and benefits. Responsibilities of citizenship can include paying taxes, obeying the law, and serving on a jury if called.

How does someone become a citizen of a country?

There are several ways to become a citizen of a country, including being born in the country, having parents who are citizens of the country, marrying a citizen of the country, or going through a naturalization process.

Can someone have dual citizenship?

Yes, it is possible for someone to have citizenship in two or more countries. However, this can depend on the laws of the countries involved and may require certain steps or processes to be completed.

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Link will appear as Citizenship Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 10, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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