1,500 foreigners applied for Algerian nationality

As the average number of Algerian applicants for French nationality reached 400 per year, foreign are also asking for Algerian nationality including Syrians, Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans, Malians and Nigerians.

A total of 1,531 Europeans applied for Algerian nationality as they converted into Islam.

Earlier, Algeria modified its law and allowed male foreigners to get Algerian nationality after three years of marriage with Algerian women.

About 2,620 foreigners got the Algerian nationality between 2000 and 2007. Most of them married Algerians or vice versa. The number is on the rise as foreigners department in each province receives applications each year. Malians, Nigerians and Moroccans are asking for nationality the most.

Article 4 of the law on nationality says that the Algerian nationality can be obtained through marriage. Article 9 bis says everyone who married Algerian person and has lived in Algeria for three years or more can get the nationality.

Applications are submitted at the justice ministry and provincial offices. The ministry then contacts foreigners department in each province to inquiry about applicants’ identity in cooperation with security forces.

In the city of Annaba (east of Algeria), more than 100 Chinese applied for the Algerian nationality in the last two years. Some of them married Algerians and have been in Algeria for five years.