Right from birth or emigration to the Confederation, one automatically claims the rights of a Civilian. All Civilians are protected by, and subject to, Confederation Law and is protected by these rights both at home and abroad. All Civilians have the right to free speech, to live and work in the Confederation, are subject to taxation and are eligible to claim some suffrage; the Universal Basic Income. In order to be able to contribute to political life (which to most people, means the ability to vote and claim full/wider levels of suffrage), one has to contribute to the state and service to the country. However, Civilians are not permitted to take part in political life, are unable to vote or stand in elections. In recent years, laws have been passed to forbid Civilians from participating in political rallies, demonstrations and petitions to parliament, in a bid to further encourage civilians to seek citizenship. Whilst this has been seem as an unpopular move by political rights activists (mainly from abroad), many independent polls have indicated being seen as fair and just.

In order to claim further political rights, one would have to gain full citizenship. Claiming full citizenship does not gain further civil rights - as everyone in the Confederation enjoys the same rights of free speech, religious freedoms and rights to assembly. Gaining full citizenship only technically grants access to political aspects of Confederation life. However, right from early childhood in schools, Citizenship is often referred to as the ultimate goal in life - to truly serve and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the nation. For many, gaining full citizenship is a highly sort after aspiration. In order to claim full citizenship, one has to have contributed greatly to the nation. For most, this usually means being employed in certain jobs and careers within the state system - usually in the Civil Service, Foreign Ministry, Military or state-run aspects of the Health and Education sectors. Civilians who pay Ͼ5,000 or more in taxation (which usual means anyone who earns beyond Ͼ75,000 per year) are able to claim Citizenship from 1982. Up until 2007, being a leader or holding a position in a prominent Union or corporation would also grant citizenship - however, this was halted as it was seen as an 'easy-way-in' for some more scrupulous members of society who would effectively be buying their Citizenship without truly contributing to the state.

Whilst some nations criticise this style of political system, many in Altera are not persuaded by foreign media articles, which often focus on the 'negative' aspects of the system. For many, other forms of democracy are seen as inferior and encourage sloth-like behaviour. Universal Suffrage is deeply unpopular in the Confederation, with both Civilians and Citizens seeing such systems as enemies of motivation and national pride, whilst emboldening the "something-for-nothing" culture. As health insurance and education rates are relatively cheap throughout the nation, thanks to competition and laws preventing exploitation, Universal Suffrage is seen as an unnecessary aspect to Confederation life.

Enforced since 1973, the 'Pre-Civilian' status was enacted by the Assembly after several petitions by hundreds of thousands of signatories. When one wishes to claim asylum in the Confederation, particularly for those fleeing political persecution or violence, potential civilians have to live and work (albeit whilst strictly and regularly monitored) in the Confederation for a year before being able to claim Civilian status for themselves and their family. During this period, they would only have the rights of refugee status - barring them from many jobs and basic suffrage. Civil rights activists claimed that it was degrading and did not encourage emigration to the country, particularly those who were wealthy and skilled. From 1973, successful refugees were given that new status during their initial 'trial' period in the Confederation, enabling them access to Civilian-status healthcare, education and assistance in finding employment.

Only applied to exiled citizens/civilians and prisoners, the Civilian/Citizen Void status was introduced in 1891 and has changed little over the past century. This status grants no political rights to its holders and severely restricts civil rights. Holders of this status (commonly known as 'Void Status' or the 'Voids') are still protected and subject to Confederation Law, protecting their rights to a fair trial. However, their freedoms of speech, rights of assembly and similar rights are reduced or cut entirely. The void status has been carefully changed and moulded over the years in order to protect the prisoner's rights to a fair trial in a court of law. Once the prisoner has served their time, or has been issued with a Pardon (either Judicial, Assembly or Strategos Pardon), they are returned to Civilian status. Some terms-of-release usually bar ex-cons from being able to claim citizenship, either indefinitely or for a set period of times.