Nicaragua Eliminates Right to Dual Nationality (January 30, 2026)
Routine Message: Nicaragua Eliminates Right to Dual Nationality (January 30, 2026)
Location: Nicaragua, countrywide
Event: On January 14, 2026, Nicaragua’s National Assembly voted to modify the constitution to eliminate the right to dual nationality in most cases, including for U.S. citizens. The law took effect on January 16 when the amendment was published in the official gazette .
The constitution now states that Nicaraguan nationality is lost upon acquisition of another nationality, and those nationalizing as Nicaraguans will forfeit other citizenships. Only citizens from other Central American countries, who are resident in Nicaragua, can acquire Nicaraguan citizenship while maintaining their other nationality. The Government of Nicaragua cannot revoke or make a determination of U.S. citizenship, but it can deny or revoke Nicaraguan citizenship to someone who may otherwise have a claim.
While the change is not meant to be retroactive, enforcement of the law is up to the Nicaraguan government and how it is applied remains to be seen.
As highlighted in the Department of State’s Level 3 Travel Advisory for Nicaragua , the Nicaraguan government has previously revoked Nicaraguan citizenship for its own citizens, including dual U.S.-Nicaraguan nationals.
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