The Establishment Division has issued new rules requiring disclosure and regulation of foreign citizenship for government employees and their dependents, notifying the Civil Servants (Foreign Citizenship Disclosure and Regulation) Rules 2026. Under the notification, every civil servant must declare at the time of appointment whether they or any dependent hold a foreign citizenship or foreign travel document.
False statements or concealment of information may render the appointment void and could lead to dismissal. The rules also require all serving employees to submit a detailed declaration within 90 days in the prescribed form, and thereafter submit an annual declaration to their cadre administrator about their and their dependents’ foreign citizenship, foreign travel documents and marital ties to foreign nationals.
Acquiring another country’s citizenship or holding foreign travel documents without prior approval has been prohibited for civil servants and their dependents. Permission to obtain foreign citizenship or travel documents will be subject to prior approval from the relevant appointing authority, and no approval will be granted where the employee or dependent holds citizenship of a country where the civil servant is currently or has previously served on diplomatic assignment.
The rules further require those who already hold another country’s citizenship and have served or are serving on diplomatic posting to relinquish or cancel such foreign citizenship or travel documents. An explicit exception has been carved out for individuals who hold citizenship by birth or descent; these cases will not be subject to prior approval or the new prohibitions.
Matters of marriage to foreign nationals will continue to be handled under the existing Government Servants (Marriage with Foreign Nationals) Rules 1962. The Establishment Division has clarified that any previously conflicting instructions or regulations on this subject are to be considered revoked following the new rules.
The government says the changes aim to strengthen transparency in the civil service, protect national security interests and maintain an accurate record of foreign citizenship information. Civil servants are being urged to comply with the new disclosure and annual reporting requirements to avoid administrative or disciplinary action.
