[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

SENEGAL

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship is based upon the Code of Nationality, dated 1960, amended in 1989.

BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Senegal does not automatically confer citizenship.

BY DESCENT: Child born of a Senegalese father, regardless of the child's country of birth. Child born of a Senegalese mother and an unknown father, regardless of the child's country of birth.

MARRIAGE: Foreigner who marries a Senegalese is granted permanent residency and can apply for citizenship by naturalization.

BY NATURALIZATION: Senegalese citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person has sought and received the permission of the Department of Justice for permanent residency, has resided in the country for at least five years, is of good moral character, and does not have a criminal record.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exception: Senegal does not remove a person's citizenship upon acquiring a new citizenship. If a Senegalese citizen acquires a second citizenship, in the eyes of Senegalese law the person remains a citizen of Senegal. Second citizenships will not be formally recognized until the person is legally released from their Senegalese citizenship.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Senegalese citizenship is permitted by law. Though the Senegalese Embassy may assist, the renunciation process must be handled by the individual in person, in Senegal, through the court system. Applications for renouncing Senegalese citizenship must be processed through the Ministry of Justice.

Due to Senegal's non-recognition policy concerning second citizenships, persons should not assume Senegalese citizenship has been lost by default. The person should similarly not assume that voluntary renunciation of citizenship will automatically be granted.

INVOLUNTARY: The following is grounds for involuntary loss of Senegalese citizenship: Person is convicted of acts contrary to the interests of the government of Senegal.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, or requests for renunciation of citizenship, should be directed to the address below:

Embassy of the Republic of Senegal Consular Section 2112 Wyoming Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008

Embassy/Consular Telephone: 202-234-0540/41 Fax: 202-332-6315

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