Yes, it is possible to lose your security clearance for dual citizenship. But holding dual citizenship alone does not automatically disqualify someone from access to classified information.
Many U.S. citizens hold citizenship in another country due to birth, family heritage, or marriage. The U.S. security clearance system recognizes that reality. The government does not prohibit dual citizenship, and thousands of cleared professionals maintain it.
The concern arises when dual citizenship suggests divided allegiance or a preference for another country over the United States.
These issues are evaluated under Guideline C – Foreign Preference of the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.
Readers seeking a broader explanation of how security clearance risk factors are evaluated should start with the Security Clearance Insiders Resource Hub and the our main page explaining can you lose your security clearance.
Understanding how adjudicators evaluate dual citizenship can help cleared professionals navigate these issues responsibly.
Why Dual Citizenship Raises Security Clearance Questions
The national security concern surrounding dual citizenship is not about immigration status or cultural identity.
The concern is potential divided loyalty.
The U.S. government must determine whether a clearance holder’s allegiance to the United States is unquestioned. When someone maintains citizenship in another country, adjudicators may examine whether the individual has taken actions demonstrating preference for that country.
These concerns fall under Guideline C – Foreign Preference.
The key question is whether the individual has exercised rights of foreign citizenship in ways that may conflict with U.S. national security interests.
Dual Citizenship Is Not Automatically Disqualifying
Many applicants worry that simply holding dual citizenship will automatically prevent them from obtaining or maintaining a security clearance.
That assumption is incorrect.
The U.S. government recognizes that many people acquire dual citizenship through circumstances beyond their control. For example, individuals may automatically receive foreign citizenship through:
• birth in another country
• parents who are foreign nationals
• family heritage laws in other countries
These situations generally do not raise significant concerns by themselves.
Instead, adjudicators focus on actions that demonstrate preference for a foreign country.
Actions That May Raise Foreign Preference Concerns
Certain activities associated with foreign citizenship may raise security clearance concerns.
Examples include:
• holding or renewing a foreign passport
• voting in foreign elections
• accepting benefits from a foreign government
• serving in a foreign military
• working for a foreign government
These activities may suggest that the individual is exercising privileges of foreign citizenship in ways that could create divided allegiance.
For that reason, adjudicators may ask detailed questions about how the foreign citizenship has been used.
The Difference Between Foreign Influence and Foreign Preference
Dual citizenship often overlaps with foreign influence issues, but the guidelines distinguish between the two.
Foreign influence, evaluated under Guideline B – Foreign Influence, focuses on whether relationships with foreign nationals create vulnerability to coercion.
Foreign preference, evaluated under Guideline C, focuses on actions that demonstrate loyalty to another country.
For example:
• having family members abroad may raise foreign influence concerns
• exercising rights of foreign citizenship may raise foreign preference concerns
Understanding this distinction is important when addressing clearance issues related to dual citizenship.
How Dual Citizenship Appears During Clearance Investigations
Dual citizenship is usually disclosed during the security clearance application process.
Applicants must report citizenship status and foreign passports on the SF-86 questionnaire.
Investigators may then examine the issue during the security clearance investigation process.
Investigators may ask questions such as:
• how the foreign citizenship was acquired
• whether the applicant holds a foreign passport
• whether the applicant has exercised foreign citizenship rights
• whether the applicant has received benefits from a foreign government
If adjudicators believe the issue has not been adequately mitigated, it may later appear in a Statement of Reasons response guide.
How Adjudicators Evaluate Dual Citizenship Cases
Adjudicators evaluate dual citizenship cases using the whole-person concept.
Rather than focusing on citizenship status alone, they examine the broader context of the applicant’s behavior.
Important factors may include:
• whether the applicant uses a foreign passport
• whether the applicant has taken steps to renounce foreign citizenship
• whether the applicant maintains ties to the foreign government
• whether the applicant has strong ties to the United States
• whether the applicant disclosed the issue honestly
In many cases, adjudicators conclude that dual citizenship does not create a meaningful security risk.
Mitigating Dual Citizenship Concerns
Many dual citizenship cases can be mitigated when applicants demonstrate clear loyalty to the United States.
Common mitigation factors include:
• surrendering or not using a foreign passport
• avoiding participation in foreign political activities
• maintaining primary residence in the United States
• demonstrating long-term commitment to U.S. government service
The government places significant weight on evidence showing that the applicant’s primary allegiance is to the United States.
Cascading Federal Consequences of Foreign Preference Issues
Dual citizenship concerns can sometimes affect more than just clearance eligibility.
Depending on the circumstances, foreign preference issues may influence:
• eligibility for certain classified programs
• federal employment suitability determinations
• Continuous Evaluation monitoring
• future reinvestigations
Because of these potential downstream effects, dual citizenship issues should be addressed carefully.
For a more in depth analysis of the dual citizenship issue, read on guide on Dual Citizenship and U.S. Security Clearances.
Why National Security Law Firm Is Different
Security clearance cases are not decided through courtroom arguments alone.
They are decided by federal adjudicators and administrative judges applying national security risk analysis under the Adjudicative Guidelines and the whole-person concept.
National Security Law Firm has a structural advantage in these cases because its attorneys have worked inside the security clearance system itself.
The firm includes:
• former security clearance administrative judges
• former security clearance adjudicators
• former Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals attorneys
These professionals have personally evaluated clearance cases inside the federal decision-making process.
NSLF also analyzes complex cases through its Attorney Review Board, where multiple senior attorneys review investigative records and collaborate on strategy.
This structure mirrors how federal agencies evaluate clearance cases internally.
Security Clearance Insider Hub
National Security Law Firm maintains one of the most comprehensive public libraries explaining how security clearance decisions are made.
Readers can explore these resources through the Security Clearance Insiders Resource Hub.
These guides explain:
• the clearance investigation process
• how adjudicators evaluate foreign influence and foreign preference
• how Statements of Reasons are defended
• how clearance hearings and appeals unfold
Understanding the system helps cleared professionals navigate clearance issues responsibly.
Security Clearance Lawyer Pricing
National Security Law Firm offers transparent flat-fee pricing for security clearance matters.
Readers can review security clearance lawyer pricing to understand the cost of services such as:
• SF-86 reviews
• Letter of Interrogatory responses
• Statement of Reasons defense
• clearance hearing representation
The firm also offers legal financing through Pay Later by Affirm so clients can act quickly when timing matters.
FAQs About Dual Citizenship and Security Clearances
Can you lose your security clearance for dual citizenship?
Yes, it is possible, but dual citizenship alone rarely causes clearance denial.
Do I have to renounce dual citizenship to keep a security clearance?
Not always. Some individuals maintain dual citizenship without issue, but exercising certain foreign citizenship rights may raise concerns.
Is holding a foreign passport a problem?
It can be. Some agencies require individuals to surrender or stop using foreign passports as a condition of clearance eligibility.
Does voting in a foreign election affect clearance eligibility?
Yes. Voting in foreign elections may raise foreign preference concerns.
Can someone born with dual citizenship obtain a security clearance?
Yes. Many clearance holders acquired dual citizenship automatically at birth.
Do certain countries raise greater concerns?
Yes. Citizenship involving countries considered intelligence threats may receive closer scrutiny.
Can dual citizenship concerns be mitigated?
Yes. Demonstrating clear loyalty to the United States often mitigates foreign preference concerns.
Does dual citizenship trigger a Statement of Reasons?
It can if adjudicators believe the individual has exercised foreign citizenship in ways that raise security concerns.
Can You Lose Your Security Clearance for Dual Citizenship? Speak With a Lawyer
If dual citizenship issues could affect your security clearance, early strategy can significantly affect the outcome.
National Security Law Firm represents federal employees, defense contractors, military personnel, and intelligence professionals nationwide in high-stakes clearance matters.
You can schedule a free consultation to speak with a security clearance lawyer about your situation.
National Security Law Firm also maintains 4.9-star Google reviews from clients across the country.
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