Naturalization Act, 1926

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THE NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement 
 
2.  Definitions 
 
3.  Grant of certificate of naturalization 
 
4.  Contents and form of application 
 
5.  Grant of certificate 
 
6.  Oath of allegiance 
 
7.  Effect of grant of certificate and taking of oath 
 
8.  Revocation of certificate 
 
9.  Effect of revocation of certificate 
 
10.  Declaration of alienage 
 
11.  Inquires 
 
12.  Oaths and affidavits 
 
13.  Power to make rule 
 
14.  Limitation to the grant of naturalization under this Act 
 
14A.  [Omitted] 
 
14B.  Application to certificates granted before partition 
 
14C.  Validation of certain certificates 
 
15.  [Repealed] 
 
The Schedule [Repealed]  
  
 
 

 
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THE NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926 
ACT No. VII OF 1926 
 
[26th February, 1926] 
 
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the naturalization in 1[Pakistan] of 
aliens resident therein. 
 
  WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the naturalization in 
1[Pakistan] of aliens resident therein; 
 
 It is hereby enacted as follows:___ 
 
 1. Short title, extent and commencement. ⸻(1) This Act may be called the 2[*] 
Naturalization Act, 1926. 
   
 1[(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.] 
 
 (3) It shall come into force on such date  as the 3[Federal Government] may, by notification in 
the 4[official Gazette], appoint. 
 
 2. Definitions.⸻In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,⸻ 
 
(a) 5[* *  *  *  *  *]                   
 
(b) “certificate of naturalization” means a certificate of na turalization granted 
under this Act; and 
 
 1[(c) “minor” means, notwithstanding anything in the Majority Act, 1875 (IX of 
1875), any person who has not completed his age of twenty-one years.] 
 
3. Grant of certificate of naturalization. ___(1) 4[The 6[Director General, Immigration and 
Passports]] may grant a certificate of naturalization to any person who makes an application in this 
behalf and satisfies 4[the 6[Director General, Immigration and Passports]]___ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1Subs. by Act No. XXIII of 1951, ss. 2, 3 and 4. 
 2Omitted by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (O. No. 4 of 1949). 
 3Subs. by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975 (P. O. 4 of 1975), Art. 2 and Table. 
 4Subs. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
 5Omitted by Act No. LXI of 1952, s. 2. 
6Subs. by Act No. XVI of 2025, s.2. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 (a) that he is not a minor; 
 
 1[(b) that he is neither a citizen  of Pakistan nor a subject of any state of which a 
citizen of Pakistan is prevented by or under an y law from becoming a subject 
by naturalisation;] 
 
2[(c) that he has resided in Pakistan throughout the period of twelve months 
immediately preceding the date of the application, and has, during the seven 
years im mediately preceding the said period of twe lve months, resided in 
Pakistan for a period amounting in the aggregate to not less than four years;] 
 
(d) that he is of good character; 
 
 (e) that he has an adequate knowledge of a language which has been declared by 
3[the 4[Federal Government]] by notifi cation in the 3[official Gazette], to be 
3[one of the principal vernaculars of 6[Pakistan]] ; and 
 
  (f) that he intends, if the application is granted, to reside in 5[Pakistan] or to enter 
   or continue in the service of the 6[State] 7[in Pakistan]: 
 
  Provided that nothing in clause (c) or clause (f) shall apply in the case of a woman who was a 
3[citizen of Pakistan] previ ously to her marriage to a person not a 3[citizen of Pakistan] and whose 
husband has died or whose marriage has been dissolved. 
 
  (2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the grant of a certificate of 
naturalization to any person to whom a certificate of naturalization has been issued under the Indian 
Naturalization Act, 1852 (XXX of 1852). 
 
 4. Contents and form of appli cation.___(1) Every application for a certificate of 
naturalization of shall be in writing and shall state, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the 
applicant,___ 
 
(a) his age; 
 
  (b) his place of birth; 
 
(c) his place of residence; 
 
(d) his profession, trade, or occupation; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1Subs. by Act No. LXI of 1952, s. 3. 
 2Subs. by Act No. XLIV of 1957, s. 2. 
3Subs. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
4Subs. by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975 (P. O. No. 4 of 1975), Art. 2 and Table. 
 5Subs. by Act No. XXIII of 1951, s. 5. 
 6Subs. by the Central Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1961 (P. O. No. 1 of 1961), Art 2 and Sch. (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 
 7Subs. by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (O. No. 4 of 1949), Art. 3 and Sch. 
 
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(e) full particulars regarding his qualifications in respect of the matters referred to 
in clauses (a) to (f) of sub-section (1) of section 3; 
 
(f) whether he has at any time previously applied for the grant of a certificate of 
naturalization under 1[* * *] this Act 2[*         *          *]; 
 
(g) whether any such application has been rejected; 
 
(h) whether any such certificate has been granted to him; and 
 
(i) whether any such certificate granted to him has been r evoked 3[or whether he 
has been deprived of his citizenship under th e Pakistan C itizenship Act, 1950 
2[*      *       *]]. 
  
  (2) Every such application shall be signed by the applicant and shall be accompanied by an 
affidavit sworn by him verifying that the statements contained therein are true to the best of his 
knowledge and belief. 
 
 (3) 4[The 5[Director General, Immigration and Passports ]] shall satisfy 5[himself] as to the 
truth of the statements contained in the application, and for this purpose may  cause to be made such 
further inquiry, if any, and may require such further evidence, if any, either, by affidavit or otherwise 
as 5[he] thinks necessary. 
 
 5. Grant of certificate ___(1) If 4[the 5[Director General, Immigration and Passports ]] is 
satisfied that the applicant is qualified under section 3 for the grant of a certificate of naturalization 
and is otherwise a fit person for the grant of such certificate, 5[he] may grant a certificate reciting the 
qualifications of the applicant for such grant an d conferring upon him all the rights, privileges and 
capacities of naturalization under this Act, except such rights, privileges or capacities, if any, as may 
specifically be withheld by the certificate. 
 
 (2) Any such certificate may, if the applicant so requests, include the name of any minor child 
of the applicant, not being by birth 2[a citizen of Pakistan] who was born before the date of the 
certificate and is for the time being resident in 3[Pakistan] and under the control of the applicant; and 
shall grant to any child so included all the rights, privileges and capacities of naturaliza tion under 
this Act, except such rights, privileges or capacities, if any, as may specifically be withheld by the 
certificate. 
 
  5[(3) An appeal against the orders of Director General, Immigration and Passport s under this 
section shall lie to Secretary of the administrative division and his decision shall be final.] 
6. Oath of allegiance. ⸻Every person to whom a certificate of naturalization has been granted shall, 
within thirty days, from the date of the grant thereof, take and subscribe the following oath, namely:___ 
 
  “I, A. B., of  
do hereby swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to 3[the Constitution of Pakistan]”: 
 
 
 
 
 1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (Ord. No. XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
 2Omitted and subs. by Act No. LXI of 1952, ss. 4 and 5. 
 3Added and subs. by Act No. XXIII of 1951, ss. 6, 7 and 8. 
 4Subs.by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
 5Subs. by Act No. XVI of 2025, ss.3 and 4. 
 
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  Provided that 1[the 2[Secretary of the administrative division]] may extend the time allowed under this 
section in any case in which 2[he] is satisfied that failure to take and subscribe the oath within that time was 
due to sufficient cause.  
 3[7. Effect of grant of certificate and taking of oath.⸻(1) No certificate of naturalisation shall have effect until 
the person to whom it is granted has taken and subscribed the oath prescribed by section 6, but upon the taking and subs-
cribing of such oath such person, and any child of any such person  who has been included in the certificate under 
sub-section (2) of section 5, shall be deemed to be citizens of Pakistan and be en titled to all the rights, 
privileges and capacities of a citizen of Pakistan born within Pakistan, except such rights, privileges or 
capacities, if any, as may have been withheld f rom them respec tively by the certificate, and shall within 
Pakistan be subject to all the obligations, duties and liabilities of a citizen of Pakistan ; and the wife of any 
such person to whom a certificate of naturali sation is granted after the commence ment of the Indian Natura -
lization (Amendment) Act, 1935, shall, if not already a citizen of Pakistan, in like manner be so deemed and 
be so entitled and so subject, if within one year, or such longer period as the 2[Secretary of the administrative 
division] may in special circumstances allow, from the date of the taking and subscribing of such oath by her 
husband, she makes to the 2[Secretary of the administrative division ] a declaration that she desires to be 
deemed to be a citizen of Pakistan, and if she  is an alien as defined in the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, 
obtains a certi ficate of domicile under that Act, and takes and subscribes the oath prescribed by section 6 of 
this Act. 
(2) When the person to whom a certificate of naturalisation has been granted has taken and subscribed 
the oath prescribed by section 6, any wife thereafter married by, and any child there after born to, such person 
shall, if she or he is not a citizen of Pakistan and if such person aforesaid at the date of the marriage or bir th, 
as the case may be, retains any rights, privileges or capacities of a citizen of Pakistan under this Act, be 
entitled, subject, in the case of a wife, to her making to the 4[Federal Government] a declaration as provided in 
sub-section (1) and, if nece ssary, upon obtaining the certificate of domicile and making and subscribing the 
oath as further provided in that sub -section, to the same rights, privileges and capacities, and be subject to the 
same obligations, duties and liabilities, to which such person aforesaid was at that date entitled and subject.] 
 8. Revocation of certificate.___(1) 1[Where the 2[Secretary of the administrative division]] is satisfied 
that a certificate of naturalization granted under this Act 5[* * *]] was obtained by false representation or fraud 
or by concealment of material circumstances, or that the person to whom the certificate has been granted has 
shown himself by act or speech to be disaffected or disloyal to 6[Pakistan], 1[the 2[Secretary of the 
administrative division]] shall, by order in writing, revoke the certificate. 
 (2) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions, 1[the 2[Secretary of the administrative division ]] 
shall, by order in writing, revoke such a certificate of naturalization as aforesaid in any case in  which 2[he] is 
satisfied that the person to whom the certificate was granted___ 
(a) has, during any war in which 6[Pakistan] is engaged unlawfully traded or 
communicated with the enemy, or with a subject of an enemy state, or been 
engaged in, or associated with, any business which is to his knowledge carried 
on in such a manner as to assist the enemy in such war; or 
 
 
 
 
1Subs. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
2Subs. by Act No. XVI of 2025, ss. 5, 6 and 7. 
3Subs. by Act No. LXI of 1952, s. 6. 
4Subs. by the Federal Laws Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975(P. O. No. 4 of 1975), Art. 2 and Table. 
5Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (Ord. No.XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
6Subs. by Act No. XXIII of 1951, s. 10. 
 
 
 
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(b) has, within five years of the date of the grant of the certificate, been sentenced 
by any Court 1[in Pakistan] 2[*      *       * ] to imprisonment for a term of not 
less than twelve months, or to pay a fine of not less than one thou sand rupees; 
or 
 
(c) was not of good character at the date of the grant of the certificate; or 
 
3[(d) has since the grant of the certificate been, for a period of not less than seven 
years, ordinarily resident out of Pakistan otherwise than as a representa tive of 
a citizen of Pakistan, or of a Pakistan firm or company or a Pakistan 
institution, or in the service of a Government in Pakistan or in the armed 
forces of Pakistan, and has not maintained substantial con nection with 
Pakistan; or]  
 
(e) remains, according to the law of a state at war with 4[Pakistan], a subject of 
that state ; and that the con tinuance of the certificate is not conducive to the 
public good. 
 
(3) 5[*        *           * *         *           *  *] 
 
(4) 5[The 6[Secretary of the admini strative division ]] may, if 6[he] thinks fit, before 
making an order under this section, refer the case for such inquiry as is hereinafter specified, 
and, in any case to which sub -section (1) or clause ( a), clause ( c) or clause ( e) of sub -section 
(2) appli es, 5[the 6[Secretary of the administrative division ]] shall by notice given to or sent by 
post to the last known address of, the holder of the certificate, give him an opportunity of 
claiming that the case be referred for such inquiry, and, if the holder so claims in accordance 
with the notice, 5[the 6[Secretary of the administrative division ]] shall refer the case for inquiry 
accordingly. 
 
 (5) An inquiry under this section shall be held by such per son or persons and in such manner 
as 5[the 6[Secretary of the administrative division]] may direct in each case. 
 
 (6) Where a certificate is revoked under this section, the revocation shall have effect from 
such date as may be directed by 5[the 6[Secretary of the administrative division ]], and thereupon the 
certificate shall be given up and cancelled; and any person who, without reason able cause the burden 
of proving which shall lie upon him, fails to give up his certificate within one month from the 
aforesaid date, shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to one thousand rupees. 
 
 (7) For the purposes of this section, any person who has acquired any of the rights, privileges 
or capacities of naturaliza tion under sub -section (2) of section 5 or sub -section (2) of section 7 by 
reason of the grant to his  parent of a certificate of naturalization, may, after he has attained majority, 
be deemed to be a person to whom a certificate of naturalization has been granted. 
 
 
 
 
 
 1Ins. by the Central Laws Adaptation Order, 1961 (P. O. 1 of 1961), Art. 2 and Sch. (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 
 2Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (Ord. No. XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
 3Subs. by Act No. LXI of 1952, s. 7. 
 4Subs. by Act No. XXIII of 1951, s. 10. 
 5Omitted and subs. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
 6Subs. by Act No. XVI of 2025, s.7. 
 
 
 
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 9. Effect of revocation of certificate. ___(1) Where a certificate is revoked under section 8, 
the former holder thereof shall cease to be deemed to be a 1[citizen of Pakistan]. 
 (2) On such revocation, 2[the 3[Secretary of the administrative division ]] may, by order in 
writing direct that the wife and minor children (or any of them) of the person whose certificate is 
revoked shall cease to be deemed t o be 1[citizens of Pakistan]; but where no such direction is made, 
the status of the wife and minor children of the person whose certificate is revoked shall not be 
affected by the revocation: 
 1[Provided that no such order shall be made in the case of a w ife unless by reason of the 
acquisition by her husband of a new nationality she has also acquired that nationality:] 
  Provided 4[further] that, in the case of a wife who 1[was, or, if the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 
1951, had been in force at the date of he r birth, would have been, by birth a citizen of Pakistan], no 
such order as aforesaid shall be made, unless 2[the 3[Secretary of the administrative division ]] is 
satisfied that, if she had held a certificate of natura lization in her own right, the certifi cate could 
properly have been revoked under section 8, and the provisions of that section as to referring cases 
for inquiry shall apply to the making of any such order as they apply to the revocation of a 
certificate. 
10. Declaration of alienage. ___(1) A d eclaration of alienage in such manner as may be 
prescribed by rules made under this Act may be made,⸻ 
(a) within one year of his attaining majority, by any child who has acquired any of 
the rights, privileges or capacities of naturalization under sub -section (2) of 
section 5; or sub-section (2) of section 7; or 
(b) within six months from the date of the revocation of a certificate under section 
8, or of the death of, or of the dissolution of her marriage with, the holder of 
any such certificate as is therein referred to, by the wife of the person whose 
certificate has been revoke d, or who has died, or whose  marriage to her has 
been dissolved, as the case may be. 
 (2) Where a declaration of alienage has been made in the manner aforesaid, the person 
making the same, and the wife of any such person, and any children of any such perso n who are 
minors and are not by birth 1[citizens of Pakistan], shall cease to be deemed to be 1[citizens of 
Pakistan]:  
 4[Provided that the wife of any such person shall not cease to be deemed to be a 1[citizen of 
Pakistan] under this sub -section, unless by reason of the acquisition by her husband of a new 
nationality she has also acquired that nationality.] 
 11. Inquires. Every person making an inquiry under the orders 2[the 3[Director General, 
Immigration and Passports ]] under sub -section (3) of section 4, and every person appointed to hold 
an inquiry  under sub-section (5) of section 8, shall be deemed to be a public servant within the 
meaning of the  1[Pakistan] Penal Code (XLV of 1860), and shall  for the purposes of such inquiry  
have the same powers as are vested in a Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), 
 
 
 
 1Subs. by Act No. LXI of 1952, ss. 8 and 9. 
 2Subs. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
 3Subs. by Act No. XVI of 2025, ss. 8 and 9. 
 4Ins. and added by Act No. I of 1935, ss. 3 and 4. 
 5Subs. by Act No. XXIII of 1951, s. 11. 
 
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when trying a suit, in respect of the following matters :⸻ 
 
(i) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; 
 
(ii) compelling the production of documents and material objects; and 
 
(iii) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses ; and every such inquiry 
shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 
and 228 of the 1[Pakistan] Penal Code (XLV of 1860). 
 
 12. Oaths and affidavits.___(1) All oaths and affidavits for the purposes of this Act shall be 
sworn before a Magistrate or such other person as may be appointed in this behalf by 2[the 3[Director 
General, Immigration and Passports]]. 
 
  (2) The Magistrate or other p erson by whom an oath of allegiance is administered under 
section 6 shall grant to the person making the same a certificate in writing of his having taken and 
subscribed such oath and of the date of his taking and subscrib ing the same, and shall forward t o 
2[the 3[Director General, Immigration and Passports]] the oath so taken and subscribed, together with 
a copy of such certificate. 
 
 13. Power to make rule s.___(1) 2[The 4[Federal Government]] may, 2[* * * ], by notification 
in the 2[official Gazette], make rules, to give effect to the provisions of this Act. 
 
 (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules 
may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:___ 
 
(a) the form or forms in which certifica tes of naturali zation shall be granted, and 
the manner in which they shall be recorded; 
 
(b) the manner in which declarations of alienage shall be made and recorded. 
 
(c) the recording of oaths of allegiance; and 
 
(d) the fees which may be imposed for the  issue of any certificate, whether of 
naturalization or otherwise, granted under this Act. 
 
 14. Limitation to the grant of naturalization under this Act. ⸻Nothing contained in this 
Act shall be deemed to entitle to any of the rights, privileges or capaciti es of a 5[citizen of Pakistan] 
the child of any person who is himself so entitled by reason only of  the inclusion of his name in a 
certificate of naturali zation under sub -section (2) of section 5 or of the grant of a cer tificate of 
naturalization to his parent. 
 
 
 
 1Subs. by Act No. XXIII of 1951, s. 11. 
2Subs. and omitted by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
3Subs. by Act No. XVI of 2025, s 10. 
4Subs. by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975(P. O. No. 4 of 1975), Art. 2 and Table. 
 5Subs. by Act No. LXI of 1952, s. 10. 
 
 
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 14A.   1[*  *  *  *  *  * *]  
 
 2[14B. Application to certificates granted before P artition.⸻The provisions of this Act 
shall, on or after the fifteenth day of August 1947, continue to apply, as re spects 3[* * *] Pakistan, to 
certificates granted under this Act or under th e Indian Naturalis ation Act, 1852, before that day by 
the Local Govern ment or Provincial Government of any Province which or any part of which was 
included in the Dominion of Indi a on that day, and any such certificates may after that day be 
revoked as respects 3[* * *] Pakistan accordingly.]  
 
 4[14C. Validation of certain certificates. ⸻Any certificate granted under the I ndian 
Naturalization Act, 1852 , or under this Act before t he commencement of the Naturalis ation 
(Amendment) Act, 1952, and standing unrevoked as respects Pakistan at the commencement of the 
last-named Act, shall be deemed to be a certificate of naturalisation under this Act as amended by the 
Naturalisation (Amendment) Act, 1952 (LXI of 1952).] 
 
 15. 5[*  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
 
THE SCHEDULE 
 
5[* * * * * * *] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: 08-07-2025 
94417 
1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (Ord. No. XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
2Ins. by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (P. O. 4 of 1949). Art. 2 and Sch. 
3Omitted by Act No. XXIII of 1951, s. 13. 
4Added by Act No. LXI of 1952, s. 11. 
5Repealed by the Repealing Act, 1927 (XII of 1927) s. 2 and Sch.