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For U.S. federal employment, citizenship, nationality, eligibility to apply, and security-clearance eligibility are related but separate questions. Dual citizenship does not by itself bar someone from applying for every government job or automatically disqualify them from a clearance. The vacancy announcement and agency determine the rules for a particular role.
What do citizenship and nationality mean?
Under U.S. law, every U.S. citizen is a U.S. national, but a limited group of people are U.S. nationals without being citizens. Federal regulation defines a national as “a citizen of the United States or a noncitizen owing permanent allegiance to the United States.” (22 CFR 50.1(d))
The State Department describes noncitizen nationals as including people born in American Samoa or Swains Island to parents who are not U.S. citizens, subject to statutory conditions. This is a distinct status from being a citizen and from being a foreign national. (State Department: U.S. nationality)
What is dual nationality?
Dual nationality means being a national of two countries at the same time. It may arise automatically under the countries’ laws—for example, through birth in one country to parents who are nationals of another—or later through naturalization. Each country determines its own nationality rules and may impose its own obligations on the person. (State Department: Dual Nationality)
Can a dual national apply for federal government work?
There is no single yes-or-no answer for every federal position. The Office of Personnel Management says the general rule is that a person must be a U.S. citizen or national to work for the federal government, while recognizing exceptions. The applicable law and the specific vacancy determine whether an exception is available. (OPM federal hiring FAQ)
For competitive-service examinations, the regulation generally requires citizenship or permanent allegiance to the United States. Appointment generally follows the same rule, with a narrow exception for a noncitizen appointment when no statute prohibits it. Check the vacancy announcement and the authority under which the position is filled. (5 CFR 338.101)
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State Department Civil Service positions
The State Department says a U.S. citizen may apply for a Civil Service position for which they qualify even if they hold other nationalities. This addresses applying; it is not a promise of selection, a blanket rule for other agencies or positions, or a decision about security-clearance eligibility. (State Department Careers FAQ)
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Does dual citizenship affect security-clearance eligibility?
Security eligibility is a separate assessment from basic eligibility to apply for or be appointed to a job. The foreign-preference guideline identifies conduct such as exercising dual citizenship or possessing or using a foreign passport as possible security concerns. It also identifies circumstances that may mitigate concern, including dual citizenship based solely on parents’ citizenship or birth in a foreign country. The guideline therefore calls for a contextual assessment; it does not say that dual citizenship alone automatically disqualifies someone. (32 CFR 147.5)
The regulation explains: “When an individual acts in such a way as to indicate a preference for a foreign country over the United States, then he or she may be prone to provide information or make decisions that are harmful to the interests of the United States.” The relevant issue is the person’s conduct and circumstances under the guideline, not simply the label “dual citizen.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does working for a foreign government mean losing U.S. nationality?
Not automatically. The State Department explains that adult U.S. nationals’ employment by a foreign government or political subdivision can be a potentially expatriating act if the person is a citizen of that country or takes an oath of allegiance connected with the employment. But loss of U.S. nationality requires a voluntary act performed with intent to relinquish it. The Department says it presumes an intent to retain U.S. nationality when a person accepts non-policy-level foreign-government employment. This is a separate question from eligibility for a U.S. government job. (State Department: Loss of U.S. Nationality)
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How to check your eligibility for a specific position
- Identify your status. Determine whether you are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. noncitizen national, or a foreign national.
- Read the vacancy announcement. Check its citizenship or nationality requirement and whether it describes an applicable exception.
- Ask the hiring agency. If the announcement does not resolve your situation, contact the agency’s hiring office for that position and ask which rule applies.
- Separate job eligibility from clearance review. If the position requires security eligibility, follow the agency’s process and provide requested information about foreign citizenship, passports, and other relevant ties or conduct.
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