obtain citizenship vs hold citizenship

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Obtain citizenship' is used when referring to the process of acquiring citizenship, while 'hold citizenship' is used to indicate the possession of citizenship.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 962 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the process of acquiring citizenship.

"obtain citizenship"

This phrase is used when talking about the action of gaining citizenship through legal processes, such as naturalization or birth in a particular country.

Examples:

He applied to obtain citizenship in the new country.
She finally obtained citizenship after years of waiting.
The process to obtain citizenship can be lengthy and complex.
Many people dream of obtaining citizenship in a foreign land.
The lawyer helped him navigate the process to obtain citizenship.

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Other people only have the right to obtain citizenship through naturalisation and some are not eligible.
Others can obtain citizenship only through naturalisation, and some people are not eligible for this procedure.
They are, however, unable to obtain citizenship, and their rights in Nepal are limited.
Those who do not wish to integrate and obtain citizenship should not be allowed to have the political right to vote.
Others are entitled to obtain citizenship only through naturalisation and some persons are not entitled to be naturalised.
Mr President, I would like to use this platform to say that a month ago, Mr Hegyi, the Hungarian MEP, told you and all of us an untruth about the alleged impossibility for Hungarians to obtain citizenship in Latvia.
Thus non-citizens, who, in order to obtain citizenship, only have to learn a little of the local language, will acquire much greater privileges than citizens and they will have less of an incentive to obtain citizenship.
Fingerprint data should be erased immediately once third-country nationals or stateless persons obtain citizenship of a Member State.
By acting in this way, we allow men and women to take part in social and political life and to thus obtain citizenship, which is a fundamental element in any democracy.
According to Latvian law, it is practically impossible for non-Latvian inhabitants of Latvia to obtain citizenship.
In addition, Member States should relax their naturalisation procedures, ensuring that residents of foreign origin can obtain citizenship if they so wish.

Alternatives:

acquire citizenship
gain citizenship
attain citizenship
secure citizenship
achieve citizenship

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate the possession of citizenship.

"hold citizenship"

This phrase is used to describe the status of being a citizen of a particular country, indicating that one possesses the rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship.

Examples:

He holds citizenship in two different countries.
She has held citizenship in this country since birth.
The document proves his right to hold citizenship in the country.
Citizens who hold dual citizenship face unique challenges.
It is a privilege to hold citizenship in this nation.

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From a legal viewpoint, European citizenship is the legal status enjoyed by those, and only those, who hold citizenship of a Member State and who are, as a result, in possession of all the rights and duties connected with that status.
The issue of unmarried couples is left to the discretion of the host Member State and, consequently, the descendents and direct ascendants of citizens who do not hold citizenship of a European Union country are excluded from the directive;
Thousands of EU citizens study at universities outside the countries of which they hold citizenship.
· a lack of provisions in some States on voting rights, particularly for prisoners and for EU residents who do not hold citizenship of any State;
My family is of German extraction, though I now hold Hungarian citizenship.
That 100 acres allowed me to hold dual citizenship.
As the Micula brothers hold Swedish citizenship, they claimed that their investments in Romania were covered by the BIT.
These people do not hold Polish citizenship, but they often cross the border to visit their relatives.
He's Japanese, but also holds a Syrian citizenship.
The applicant holds Moroccan and Spanish citizenships and resides in Morocco.
It is asking too much of the other Member States as it is, for the German Government to allow several million third-country nationals resident on its territory to hold German citizenship in addition to their own.
Under certain conditions it should be possible to transfer the proceedings to the flag Member State or the Member State of which the offender holds the citizenship.
To obtain an 'A' status fishing licence, a natural person must have lived in Denmark for two years prior to the request to obtain a licence or hold Danish citizenship.
They claim that anyone living in Europe, even if they hold passports and citizenships from outside Europe, is a voter.
'National of Armenia' shall mean any person who holds the citizenship of Armenia in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia;
'Citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan' shall mean any person who holds the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan in accordance with its legislation in force;
'National of Azerbaijan' shall mean any person who holds the citizenship of Azerbaijan in accordance with its legislation;
'a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago' shall mean any person who holds the citizenship of Trinidad and Tobago;
Citizen of the Republic of Montenegro: shall mean a person who holds the citizenship of the Republic of Montenegro;
How many EU citizens in the various Member States hold dual citizenship (of an EU country and of a third country)?

Alternatives:

possess citizenship
be a citizen of
have citizenship
be granted citizenship
enjoy citizenship

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obtain citizenship vs hold citizenship