Q.768 New born in Bangladesh

citizenship query . . .

Question: Hi, My name is Himanshu gupta, i am an Indian national working in bangladesh, My wife is 5 months pregnant and currently staying with me in Bangladesh. Now i am very much confused to decide that should we go back to India for our child's birth or should i prefer my job. The reason of such confusion is, i dont want my child to be of "Bangladeshi citizenship", as few people told me that newborn gets the citizenship of the country they born.. Is it correct?? Please help us to decide. If my above understanding is wrong and if my child's passport will no where mention the name of Bangaldesh than we will stay here for our child's birth. We are so concerned as we dont want our child's any documents to mention Bangladesh. I searched for this everywhere online, but no where i could find any blog or post or even on embassy site where they mention about newborn childs citizenship in bangladesh, though there are several articles for USA/Canada born. Please help you suggestion and reply will make big difference to our future decisions. Looking for your earliest reply. Thanks Himanshu Gupta Answer: My understanding is that Bangladesh citizenship is not based on place of birth but bloodline. To clarify in simple terms, citizenship can be conferred either by being born in a country or through bloodline. For example: 1. USA citizenship is based upon place of birth, hence anyone born in USA becomes a citizen of the United States of America automatically. This happens even if the person who gives birth is a foreigner. 2. Countries where citizenship is granted based on bloodline, the parents must be citizens of the country where the birth takes place for their newborn child to automatically get citizenship. o A child born in Bangladesh, to parents who are foreign citizens would not qualify to become a Bangladeshi citizen automatically. o Since you and your wife hold Indian citizenship, your new born child will not automatically become a Bangladeshi citizen but will get Indian citizenship when you register the birth at the Indian consulate and apply for Indian citizenship for your child. While you need not worry about your child being associated with having Bangladesh citizenship, you must realize that a person’s place of birth cannot be changed. If your baby is born in Bangladesh then the babies citizenship will be Indian but place of birth will be Bangladesh! One of the questions asked on just about every document filled in India for various situations such as getting a passport, school admission etc. is ‘place of birth’ To avoid having to show your child’s place of birth as Bangladesh you would have no choice other than ensure baby is not born in Bangladesh. Perhaps your wife can go to India while you continue on your job. A decision you and your wife should make after careful consideration.