**** UPDATE*******

The govrnment of Guinea Bissau has begun granting citizenship to Afro Descendants of Guinean origin. On January 16, 2025, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Guinea Bissau approved the citizenship of nine Afro Descendants, all of them Balanta descendants and members of the Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society In America (BBHAGSIA). On February 6, 2025 the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Guinea Bissau approved the citizenship of ten more Afro Descendants of Balanta, Fula and Djola origin. On February 13, the Council approved one more citizenship. There are fourteen (14) more citizenships to be approved and there is already a third batch of applicants. However,

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE CITIZENSHIPS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED WERE DONE BY A DECREE OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND REPRESENTS CITIZENSHIP BY DECREE (POLTICAL WILL). THERE CURRENTLY IS NO LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR AFRO DESCENDANT CITIZENSHIP SINCE THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA BISSAU HAS SUSPENDED THE NATIONAL POPULAR ASSEMBLY (THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH) AND NO LAW MAKING HAS BEEN POSSIBLE FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PRESIDENT’S TERM EXPIRES ON FEBRUARY 27, 2025 AND THERE ARE NO SCHEDULED ELECTIONS. THIS MEANS THAT AT MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 28TH, THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA BISSAU WILL REVERT TO A CONDITION OF NO CONSTITUTIONALLY FUNCTIONING EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH. THUS, THE SITUATION IS HIGHLY UNSTABLE AND THE CITIZENSHIP PROCESS CAN CHANGE AT ANY MOMENT.

FOR THIS REASON, WE CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION WITH THE COMPLETED DOCUMENTS AND PAYING THE PROCESSING FEE, THAT YOUR CITIZENSHIP WILL BE APPROVED. FINALLY, WE ARE WORKING TO GET THE GOVERNMENT’S FEE OF $620 TO $650 (depending on the exchange rate at the time) REDUCED TO $0.

Therefore, you can start the process of submitting your application now (with no guarantees) or you can wait until the political situation is settled and a new and final process is approved by legislation is completed, which could take years…..

TO START THE PROCESS NOW:

To start the process of naturalization to Guinea Bissau, COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW, pay the application processing fee and complete the second form that will automatically be sent to you. Then send the following documents (pdf or jpeg but no screenshots please) to balantasociety@gmail.com:

Photocopy of your African Ancestry Test Results

Photocopy of you African Ancestry Certificates

Photocopy of your Passport

*Photocopy of your Birth Certificate (Note: your application will not be processed without the Portuguese translation accompanying the original, and this is the reason for the processing fee - to get official Portuguese translations)

Letter of application for nationality written in person and addressed to the Secretary of State for Tourism and Crafts as a facilitator of the process (explain why you want citizenship and what you plan to do with it);