MoJ gives citizenship certificates to foreigners
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), through the National Directorate for Registration and Notary (NDRN), granted citizenship certificates to 574 foreign citizens, in a ceremony that took place on June 29th, at the building of the Ministry of Justice.
The Minister for Justice, Dionísio Babo, referred that the granting of citizenship to foreigners is foreseen in the Law on Citizenship, n. 9/2002, of November 5th and in the Citizenship Law Regulatory Arrangements, on Decree Law n. 1/2004, of February 4th, on the grounds of parentage, adoption, marriage, naturalization and naturalization by high and relevant services.
To be granted Timorese citizenship, a foreigner shall fulfill some requirements such as: being married for more than five years and living in national territory for at least two years, be a usual and regular resident of Timor-Leste for at least ten years, be able to speak one of the official languages and know the history and Timorese culture, amongst others.
A foreign citizen holding a citizenship certificate has the right to be granted social assistance from the State of Timor-Leste, just as any other citizen.
Dionísio Babo also mentioned that some foreign citizens, even though they were married since 1975, still weren’t granted Timorese citizenship, as they don't speak one of the official languages or due to being illiterate.
The Director of the National Directorate for Registration and Notary, Maria do Rosário Fátima, informed that the granting of Timorese citizenship through marriage, happens since 2006, and the registered citizens come from countries like Indonesia, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Angola, Philippines and Vietnam.
