Chilean authorities revise citizenship rules for children of foreigners
The government of Chile has decided to tighten the rules for granting citizenship to children born in the country to foreign nationals. Previously, Chile was a popular destination for so-called "birth tourism," as children born on its territory automatically received citizenship.
According to the new rules, automatic receipt of a passport will no longer be guaranteed for all newborns. The country's authorities now plan to revoke the citizenship of children whose parents do not reside in Chile on a permanent basis. This change is aimed at combating the practice where foreigners come to the country solely to obtain citizenship for a child and then leave immediately.
Chilean migration services emphasize that citizenship should be linked to real integration into society. Officials have begun conducting checks to identify families who have used "birth tourism" services but do not have a permanent residence or economic ties in the country.
For many Russian families who planned to give birth in Chile as a way to provide their child with a second citizenship, this news came as a surprise. Parents must now carefully study the new requirements to avoid legal problems and the loss of status for their children.
The situation remains under close scrutiny by international migration experts. At the moment, the Chilean government does not plan to make exceptions for those who have already received documents, so many families may face the need to prove their right to remain in the country.