Important Updates
Important Updates
September 10, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Online Submission of Passport Details Now Possible for Work, Student Permit Applicants
September 12, 2025 | Netherlands, Germany, United StatesLabor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump
September 11, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Significant Increase in Employer Sponsor License Revocations
September 10, 2025 | CanadaCanada: New Labour Market Impact Assessment Advertising Rule
September 10, 2025 | Denmark, Norway, SwedenFragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics
September 10, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Online Submission of Passport Details Now Possible for Work, Student Permit Applicants
September 12, 2025 | Netherlands, Germany, United StatesLabor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump
September 11, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Significant Increase in Employer Sponsor License Revocations
September 10, 2025 | CanadaCanada: New Labour Market Impact Assessment Advertising Rule
September 10, 2025 | Denmark, Norway, SwedenFragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics
September 10, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Online Submission of Passport Details Now Possible for Work, Student Permit Applicants
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Dual Citizenship: An Effective Mobility Tool in Sub-Saharan Africa

March 10, 2017

Marco Deutsch

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg
  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg
  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg
  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Dual citizenship has for years been viewed as an insurance policy by those unsure of the political and economic future of their countries of birth. In an age of restrictive immigration policies, dual nationality can also serve as an effective tool for mobilization of urgently needed skills around the world. 

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) governments have woken up to the importance of dual citizenship and are allowing their citizens to acquire citizenship abroad. By 2010, the number of countries in SSA allowing dual nationality exceeded 30 and it continues to grow. Like other governments in the other regions, many governments in SSA are coming to the realization that allowing their citizens to have dual nationality, will invariably result in bringing stability in their lives – and more importantly, enable them to advance their careers and thereby invest in their countries of origin without impediment. 

Dual Citizenship as a tool they can use to attain business objectives

Given the regulatory uncertainty experienced in many jurisdictions in the region, the delays in issuing work permits and a need to urgently start projects that a company has secured, it is vital for mobility professionals to start viewing dual citizenship as a tool they can use to attain business objectives. The advantage of using citizens in diaspora in its mobilization is that a company is assisting the host country in its development initiative by ensuring that such a country retains its much-needed skills.

When the country's best and the brightest leave for studies and career advancement abroad, they do not return to their home countries because of a lack of employment opportunities in their field of study. That is normally referred to as brain drain. When those citizens in diaspora are brought home due to their employers' efforts and also companies who have identified them, it is brain gain. The reason being that they will be able to stay in the country and contribute towards its development through skill and knowledge transfer.

Employing countries’ citizens in diaspora always sends a clear message to the authorities that a multinational corporation is a good corporate citizen not interested solely in making profit but also in being a partner in growing local skills.

Moreover, at the outset, if a country accepts dual nationality, its citizens recruited abroad will not need work permits to work in their home countries - thereby saving a lot of time that could have been lost through waiting for a work permit to be issued.

How do mobility professionals go about doing this? 

There is no single formula that can be used in this regard. However, the first step is to recruit the best and the brightest from countries that have been identified as good for the business. Second, train and develop them accordingly. Third, explain to employees the company’s strategic development goal in the country where it is investing and encourage them to be prepared to return home at some point to plough back their skills.  

 I encourage the mobility professionals who decide to employ citizens in diaspora or dual nationals that they must always be prepared to discuss their plans with the country's authorities for any support that they can extend to them.  For instance, those in the diaspora who do not have plans to return home, regularly face the challenge of acquiring passports for themselves after years of not having them. By that time, systems have changed and evidence threshold may be high due to efforts to stem fraud. Authorities may help in expediting issuance of such documents and thereby enable them to be home very quickly. Furthermore, they may also intensify their campaigns to encourage its citizens in the diaspora to return home, as they will be having good case studies to showcase - of those who have successfully returned home and are doing something good for the country.

Therefore, always be prepared to discuss your plans with the country’s authorities so that they will be inclined to support the company where necessary and also make efforts to encourage its nationals to partake in the initiative. 

If you would like to learn more about this mobility strategy, please feel free to contact me.

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg
  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg
  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg
  • Nairobi

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New Offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk

Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Learn more

Blog post

How to Get Luxembourg Citizenship: Requirements, Benefits & Application Process

This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New Offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk

Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Learn more

Blog post

How to Get Luxembourg Citizenship: Requirements, Benefits & Application Process

This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.