Cameroon
Last Updated: 2026-04-02
Official Portal: Government of Cameroon
Embassy Finder: Cameroon Embassies Worldwide
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency for naturalization | 5 years lawful residence |
| Language requirement | French or English (working knowledge; no formal test) |
| Civics test | None |
| Processing time | 12—36 months (significant bureaucratic delays common) |
| Naturalization fee | Administrative fees plus stamp duties |
| Dual citizenship | Not permitted; must renounce prior nationality to naturalize |
| Citizenship by birth in Cameroon | No automatic jus soli |
| Citizenship by descent | Through either parent |
| Governing law | Loi No. 1968-LF-3 of 11 June 1968 (Code de la Nationalite Camerounaise), as amended by Loi No. 1997/012 of 10 January 1997 |
Dual Citizenship
Cameroon does not permit dual citizenship. The 1968 Nationality Code, as amended, requires naturalization applicants to renounce their prior nationality. A Cameroonian citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality automatically loses Cameroonian citizenship under Article 31.
Practical reality: Despite the formal prohibition, enforcement has been inconsistent. Many Cameroonians in the diaspora — particularly in France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada — hold foreign passports while retaining Cameroonian identity documents. The government has periodically discussed reform, especially given the economic contributions of the diaspora, but no legislative change has occurred.
Key implications:
- Naturalization in Cameroon requires proof of renunciation of prior nationality.
- Cameroonians who naturalize abroad are technically stripped of citizenship by operation of law, though the practical consequences (passport cancellation, property issues) vary.
- The Anglophone crisis (ongoing since 2016) has heightened political sensitivities around nationality and belonging, complicating reform discussions.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth (Jus Soli)
Cameroon does not apply automatic jus soli. Birth on Cameroonian territory alone does not confer nationality.
Limited provisions:
- A child born in Cameroon to unknown parents is presumed Cameroonian (foundling rule).
- A child born in Cameroon to stateless parents may acquire Cameroonian nationality.
- A child born in Cameroon to a parent also born in Cameroon may have a facilitated claim, depending on the parent’s status.
By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
Descent is the primary and dominant mode of acquisition.
- A child born to a Cameroonian father acquires nationality at birth, regardless of place of birth.
- A child born to a Cameroonian mother also acquires nationality at birth, following the 1997 amendment which brought the Code into alignment with the constitutional guarantee of equality. Prior to 1997, maternal transmission was limited.
- Filiation must be legally established (birth certificate, recognition, court judgment).
- There is no statutory generational limit on descent-based nationality, though documentation requirements become more demanding with each generation born abroad.
By Adoption
A minor child adopted by a Cameroonian citizen through full adoption acquires Cameroonian nationality upon finalization of the adoption. The adoption must be recognized under Cameroonian law. Simple adoption does not automatically transfer nationality.
By Marriage
A foreign woman who marries a Cameroonian man may acquire Cameroonian nationality by declaration, subject to government approval. The declaration must be made at the time of marriage or within a specified period thereafter.
Important gender asymmetry: The 1968 Code, even as amended, retains provisions that make it significantly easier for a foreign wife to acquire nationality through marriage than for a foreign husband. A foreign man who marries a Cameroonian woman must generally naturalize through the standard process. This gender disparity has been criticized by CEDAW and human rights bodies.
By Naturalization
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Lawful residence | 5 years of habitual residence in Cameroon |
| Good character | No criminal convictions; good morals and conduct |
| Health | Sound physical and mental health |
| Means of subsistence | Must demonstrate economic self-sufficiency |
| Integration | Demonstrated assimilation into Cameroonian society |
| Language | Working knowledge of French or English |
| Renunciation | Must renounce prior nationality |
| Fee | Administrative fees and stamp duties |
| Decision | By decree of the President of the Republic |
Naturalization is discretionary. Meeting all requirements does not guarantee approval, and presidential decrees are issued irregularly.
Loss and Renunciation
Voluntary renunciation: A Cameroonian citizen may renounce nationality by declaration if they have acquired or are assured of acquiring another nationality. Renunciation must not render the person stateless.
Involuntary loss:
| Ground | Details |
|---|---|
| Voluntary acquisition of foreign nationality | Automatic loss under Article 31 of the Nationality Code |
| Fraud | Nationality obtained by fraud may be withdrawn |
| Acts against the state | Conviction for acts prejudicial to Cameroon’s vital interests |
| Unauthorized foreign service | Service in a foreign military or government without authorization |
| Failure to renounce foreign nationality | After being required to do so as a condition of Cameroonian nationality |
Restoration of Nationality
Former Cameroonian citizens who lost nationality may apply for reintegration by decree. The process is similar to naturalization and requires:
- Residence in Cameroon (or demonstrated ongoing ties).
- Good character and no criminal record.
- Presidential decree granting restoration.
Restoration is discretionary and granted on a case-by-case basis. Persons who lost nationality by acquiring a foreign citizenship face a particularly uncertain process, as the government’s position on reintegration in such cases lacks clear precedent.
Stateless Persons and Foundlings
- A child found in Cameroon (foundling) is presumed Cameroonian until proven otherwise.
- A child born in Cameroon to stateless parents may acquire Cameroonian nationality.
- Cameroon has ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which includes the right to a nationality.
- Cameroon has not ratified the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Document Checklist
Completed nationality application form
Birth certificate (original + certified copy)
Valid passport or identity document
Proof of 5 years habitual residence in Cameroon
Criminal record clearance (casier judiciaire / certificate of good conduct)
Medical certificate of good health
Proof of means of subsistence or employment
Marriage certificate (if applying via marriage)
Proof of renunciation of prior nationality
Two passport-size photographs
Certificate of nationality of Cameroonian parent (for descent claims)
Sources
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Loi No. 1968-LF-3 du 11 juin 1968 — Code de la Nationalite Camerounaise. https://www.spm.gov.cm/
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Loi No. 1997/012 du 10 janvier 1997 — Amendment to the Nationality Code (gender equality in descent). https://www.spm.gov.cm/
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Constitution of Cameroon (1996, revised 2008) — Nationality and citizenship provisions. https://www.spm.gov.cm/
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UNHCR Refworld — Cameroon nationality law profiles. https://www.refworld.org/
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Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — Country profile for Cameroon. https://globalcit.eu/
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Cameroon Ministry of External Relations — Consular and nationality services. https://www.diplomatie.cm/