| The Citizenship Act, 1951 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| |
| Territorial extent | Bangladesh |
| Enacted | 1951 |
| Amended by | |
| |
| Related legislation | |
| The Foreigners Act, 1946 | |
| Status: Amended | |
The nationality law of Bangladesh governs the issues of citizenship and nationality of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The law regulates the nationality and citizenship status of all people who live in Bangladesh as well as all people who are of Bangladeshi descent. It allows the children of expatriates, foreigners as well as residents in Bangladesh to examine their citizenship status and if necessary, apply for and obtain citizenship of Bangladesh.
The primary law relating to Bangladesh citizenship is The Citizenship Act, 1951, originally the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, later amended by a number of legislative orders introduced by the Government of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh was previously ruled by the British Empire and local residents were British subjects and British protected persons. Although modern day Bangladesh (then East Bengal) Became a province of the Dominion of Pakistan during the partition of 1947. Bangladeshis no longer hold British nationality, they continue to have favoured status when residing in the United Kingdom;as Commonwealth citizens, Bangladeshis are eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there.