SCOTLAND will follow an Irish citizenship model after independence which allows the children of Scottish citizens to automatically qualify even if they have been born outwith the country, it will be announced today.
The Scottish Government proposals will also see British citizens have the right to claim dual nationality at the point of independence.
Full details of who will be eligible to become a Scottish citizen after the country leaves the UK will be outlined in the fifth white paper on independence, which is being unveiled by Humza Yousaf at an event in Edinburgh.
The First Minister is expected to warn that one of the biggest threats facing future generations in Scotland – alongside climate change – is an ageing population.
He will say that the plans on citizenship will show that an independent Scotland will be welcoming and inclusive, while helping to build a stronger economy with more people working and contributing to public services.
The latest paper in the “Building a New Scotland” series will be launched at an event bringing together a number of New Scots, including Ukrainian and Syrian refugees.
It will also set out proposals to make it easier for those from overseas to apply for Scottish citizenship after independence.
Commenting ahead of the launch, Yousaf said: “Today I’ll outline the Scottish Government’s proposals for citizenship in an independent Scotland – they are inclusive, bold, and they will help boost both our population and economy.
“Scotland’s working population is being hit by a heartless Westminster migration system that isn’t fit for purpose, and a hard Brexit that Scotland didn’t vote for, making our population challenges significantly worse.
“I am in no doubt that alongside the climate crisis, the challenges of an ageing population are one of the biggest issues future generations will face in Scotland, unless action is taken today.
“The Scottish Government wants to make it easier for people, including those seeking to reconnect with family roots, to gain citizenship and contribute to our economy, society and public services like the NHS.”
The First Minister said that Scottish citizens will also be able to enjoy the benefits of EU citizenship under plans for Scotland to rejoin as an independent country.
He added: “An independent Scotland will be a welcoming country as part of our ambition to be an inclusive, progressive and prosperous nation. I look forward to the debate about what citizenship will mean in a modern, independent Scotland.”
The Scottish Government said it would also publish a further paper on migration later as part of independence prospectus.
It comes amid growing scrutiny by Westminster of the work of Independence Minister Jamie Hepburn, who is responsible for the publication of the independence papers.
However Yousaf has hit back saying it is well within well within the jurisdiction of the Scottish Government to have civil servants working on papers making the case for Yes.
