500 applications for Algerian nationality per year

A total of 500 foreigners apply for the Algerian nationality per year, according to the justice ministry.

• The number of Algerian nationality applicants has increased for the last three years compared to the previous years, said sources at the ministry.
• “The ministry receives between 450 and 500 cases per year.”
• According to reports made by an economic research centre, the number of foreigners living in Algeria is on the rise in view of available opportunities in the Algerian market and security conditions in the country.
• Figures show that the number of French living in Algeria with duel-citizenship increased to 47,000 in 2008 compared to 8,000 in 2000.
• Sources at the religious affairs ministry said the number of foreigners who converted to Islam and applied for the Algerian nationality went on five times compared to the 1990’s.
• “Some 680 new converts obtained the Algerian nationality in 2008.”