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Pronunciation: yoos SO-lee
Jus soli (Latin for 'right of the soil') grants citizenship based on being born in the territory of the state, regardless of the parents' citizenship.
In depth
Jus soli (Latin for 'right of the soil') grants citizenship based on being born in the territory of the state, regardless of the parents' citizenship. It is the dominant principle in the Americas.
Most countries use a combination of jus soli and jus sanguinis. The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and most Latin American countries follow unrestricted jus soli (anyone born on the territory is a citizen).
European countries generally restrict jus soli, requiring at least one parent to be a legal resident. This restriction makes jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent) the primary route for European diasporas to reclaim their heritage citizenship.
Related terms
Jus sanguinis (Latin for 'right of blood') is the principle that grants citizenship based on the citizenship of one's parents or ancestors, regardless of where one is born.
Citizenship by descent (CBD) is the legal right to acquire a country's citizenship through one's ancestors — typically a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent — without being born in that country, based on the principle of jus sanguinis.
Dual citizenship (also called multiple citizenship) is the status of being a citizen of two or more countries simultaneously, with the rights and obligations of each.
Naturalization is the legal process by which a non-citizen acquires the citizenship of a country, typically after meeting residency, language, and integration requirements.
Denaturalization is the legal revocation of a person's citizenship, typically on grounds of fraud, disloyalty, or — historically — persecution.
Renunciation is the voluntary act of giving up one's citizenship, typically by making a formal declaration to the country's consulate or ministry.