Is it possible to retain foreign citizenship while obtaining Ukrainian citizenship?

The procedure for registering an exit from Ukrainian citizenship is not the fastest and easiest process. The procedure for a Ukrainian to change his citizenship can be simplified only in one case. The basis for simplifying the procedure is the existence of 2-party agreements that provide for the automatic termination of Ukrainian citizenship. Now there are:

1. Ukrainian-Belarusian agreements.
2. Ukrainian-Tajik agreements.
3. Ukrainian-Georgian agreements.
4. Ukrainian-Kyrgyz agreements.

There are no agreements regarding citizenship between the Ukrainian state and the Russian Federation today.

Renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship as a basis for termination of citizenship can be initiated by the Ukrainian himself. To do this, he must make a corresponding petition.

Embassy of Ukraine in Moscow

Why you may need to renounce citizenship

Refusal of citizenship, according to the Law “On Citizenship of Ukraine” dated January 18, 2001 No. 2235-III, is not taken into account. This law allows for the loss of citizenship after filing a petition for voluntary renunciation of citizenship.

This procedure may be necessary if a citizen wants to take citizenship of another country whose laws prohibit having two passports. The Russian Federation is one of these.

For people who have received political asylum or refugee status in Russia, there is no need to initiate the procedure for renouncing Ukrainian citizenship.

This process is mandatory for Ukrainians:

• Applicants for a passport on a general basis;
• Recognized as native speakers of language and culture;
• Who participate in the resettlement program for compatriots;
• To reunite with one of the parents;
• Having legal grounds for obtaining a passport outside the quotas.

Ways to lose Ukrainian citizenship

There are two options to lose your status:

• voluntary – at the request of the interested person. In this case, you will need to confirm the ability to permanently reside in another country;
• by decision of the authorities - if there are grounds.

The last option is applicable under certain conditions:

• the person has joined the armed forces of another country;
• accepted the indigenous status of another state;
• acquired the status of a citizen of Ukraine illegally.

With a voluntary decision, the speed of the procedure depends on the actions of the person concerned, and the costs fall on his shoulders. How to renounce Ukrainian citizenship? To do this, it is advisable to follow a certain sequence of steps. There is no need to publicly announce your decision; simply submit a petition. If a person wants to get rid of citizenship in order to avoid paying loans, debts or fulfilling other obligations, this is unlikely to be possible.

Refusal procedure

You can lose Ukrainian citizenship either voluntarily, at the request of a citizen, or at the initiative of the country’s authorities.

This is possible without an application if several conditions are met:

• Carrying out military service in the army of another country;
• Obtaining a Ukrainian passport illegally;
• Acceptance of citizenship of another country by birthright.

In all other cases, you will have to undergo a complex procedure in full.

Reference! With a voluntary application, all costs associated with collecting documentation or other established activities fall on the shoulders of the initiator of the procedure.

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How does the procedure work?

Each application is considered individually. Many different factors are taken into account when making a decision.

The applicant does not always receive the required verdict.

1. At the first stage, the applicant needs to collect the entire package of documents;
2. The next step is the delivery of papers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
3. A specially formed commission considers the petition and renders a verdict;
4. If the decision is positive, the prepared decree on deprivation of citizenship is submitted to the President of the country for signature. As soon as the head of state puts his signature on the document, the decision comes into force.

How to fill out an application correctly

The application must be certified by a notary. For this reason, writing a document is not difficult. The notary office that provides this service has application forms and rules for filling them out. In fact, the office employees carry out the entire procedure themselves. The applicant only needs to put his signature in the specified place.

Application form

If for some reason the initiator of the procedure decided to write an application himself, he will need the established form and print it out. A prerequisite is to enter information in Ukrainian. All data can be entered on a computer or entered manually in block letters. There is no need to paste the photo right away. This is done by the members of the commission after considering the case.

A document will not be accepted if it:

• Printed on two sheets (only double-sided printing allowed);
• Filled out by hand in capital letters;
• There are no answers to all questions presented.

Sample filling

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Submission of documents

The application with the accompanying documents must be delivered to the Ukrainian Embassy. This can be done in person or sent by mail.

Papers should be sent by registered mail with a list of attachments and confirmation of delivery. This eliminates the possibility of losing documents.

Reference! Before renouncing citizenship, the applicant must be registered with the consulate as a citizen permanently residing in the territory of another state.

Required documents

In addition to the application, the applicant will need additional papers required by law.

The folder should contain:

• Statement;
• 2 photos;
• International passport with confirmation of receipt of permanent residence;
• Documentary evidence of acceptance of citizenship of another country.

For minors, an application form for renunciation of citizenship must also be completed. Children from 14 to 18 years old fill out a separate form. For younger children, parents fill out a general form, entering the child’s data.

Sample form for children

About the history of the bill

The initiators of the draft law No. 156692 of April 21, 2017 were the leaders of many factions and active parliamentarians. Initially, it dealt with the legislative establishment of a norm guaranteeing that people who pose a danger to the constitutional foundation of Russia will not be able to obtain Russian citizenship. And persons carrying out terrorist activities will be deprived of it if they are not Russian citizens from birth.

This initiative, with minor amendments, was supported by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. In the second reading, deputies were provided with a significantly revised and supplemented text of the bill. It contained an article about the oath of a person accepting Russian citizenship, and a simplified scheme for confirming the renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship for Ukrainians. Previously, this formulation had already been sounded in various draft laws; Konstantin Zatulin and Sergei Mironov came up with a similar idea.

By the third reading, the document had not undergone significant changes, with the exception of editorial changes, and was adopted by a majority vote of parliamentarians.

Cost of registration of renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship

It is possible to lose Ukrainian citizenship without financial costs if the cessation of ties with the country occurs on the initiative of its authorities. Otherwise, the citizen will have to pay the state duty and all related expenses.

Necessary expenses

In each individual situation, it may be necessary to pay additional fees. All tariffs are indicated on the website of the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow.

Time and money costs

Before renouncing Ukrainian citizenship, it makes sense to be patient - this procedure is not quick and includes several stages with the participation of various authorities. The total waiting period depends on:

• initial review of the submitted documentation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (up to 1 month);
• sending papers to the commission on migration issues and studying them (in total 2 months);
• convening a special commission of the President (up to 60 days), so it meets as needed;
• consideration of the application, taking into account corrections, forwarding and other technical nuances (up to 8 months).

If the situation is non-standard and requires in-depth study, this gives the competent authorities the right to extend the term to 20 months.
When the initiative to deprive citizenship comes from the state, the processing time is usually significantly shorter.

As for the amount of money required to renounce citizenship, it is difficult to say exactly how much it will cost. In addition to the state fee (about $210), the applicant bears the costs of notarizing the papers. And depending on the situation, their volume may vary significantly, as well as the amount for notary services.

How long does the procedure take?

The entire procedure takes about 12 months. The commission members will need this time to:

• Carefully review the case materials;
• Make an adequate decision;
• Prepare a decree and submit it to the head of state for signature.

The time spent on sending materials is not included in the total period allotted for the procedure (regulations on the citizenship commission).

If the applicant submits documents of inadequate quality or not in full, the commission returns the application. After resubmission, the countdown of deadlines begins again.

Oath inconsistencies

Citizenship refers to the mutual rights and obligations of the individual and the state. It is acquired in two ways: at birth or by special government decision.

The reasons for deprivation of citizenship are:

• obtaining it in an illegal way;
• disloyalty to the state and political order;
• espionage;
• belonging to the armed forces of other countries;
• voluntary refusal.

In the law adopted by the State Duma, Article 11.1 appeared, concerning the introduction of a mandatory oath for persons wishing to obtain Russian citizenship. A similar practice exists in many countries: Germany, Japan, Czech Republic, Singapore and others. In the United States of America, immigrants take an oath, the violation of which is one of the grounds for deprivation of US citizenship.

But the model of the citizen’s oath prescribed in the new law raises a number of complaints related to its selectivity. For example, this norm is not relevant for Russian citizens by birth, as well as minors, incapacitated and partially capable people. In addition, critics argue that taking the oath of office is simply a maneuver to circumvent the constitutional ban on stripping citizenship.

According to the text of the oath, the new citizen undertakes to comply with the Constitution and laws of the Russian Federation, as well as to defend the freedom and independence of Russia, to be faithful to it and to honor cultural and historical traditions. But according to the Constitution of the country, all citizens of the Russian Federation and other persons located on its territory are obliged to do this.

Where to apply for a certificate of renunciation of citizenship

After the commission makes a decision and the President of the country signs the corresponding decree, the applicant is issued a certificate stating that ties with Ukraine have been severed. A document on renunciation of citizenship can be obtained from the State Migration Service or from the Ukrainian Embassy (if the applicant is outside the country).

Certificate of renunciation of citizenship

Can they refuse and what should they do then?

Applications of this type are not considered by the Ukrainian authorities. None of this is official from their point of view. Accordingly, no one will be able (or will want) to approve it or not.

But don't worry. The good news is that the Russian Migration Service is not interested in the further fate of the application; they only care about the fact that it was sent, which will be provided by a potential future citizen of the Russian Federation. Compiled and sent - ok, well done, it counts. You shouldn’t wait for an answer from your former homeland; documents in Russia will be accepted without it.

How to renounce citizenship on the territory of Ukraine

The law states that people who have received a permanent residence permit in another country can voluntarily renounce their citizenship. Applications for renunciation of citizenship filed on the territory of Ukraine are an exception to the rule. Such requests are extremely rarely granted.

You should submit documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine while on its territory only in cases when it comes to the adoption of a child who has its citizenship.

Video about simplifying the renunciation of citizenship:

On Russian territory

If the applicant permanently resides in Russia, he only needs to contact the Ukrainian consulate located closer to his place of residence.

You need to have with you:

• Installed package of documents;
• Two copies of the application for renunciation of citizenship, certified by a notary.

Consular staff must accept documents for processing. One copy of the application is certified by the employee who accepted the documents and remains with the applicant. It will serve as confirmation of the start of the procedure for renunciation of citizenship for the FMS.

Reference! Persons who have paid off all debts and have no obligations to Ukraine can voluntarily renounce citizenship. That is, if the applicant has unpaid loans, outstanding criminal records or unexecuted court decisions, the request will not be granted.

Features for residents of Crimea

Due to the transition of the peninsula to Russia and Ukraine’s refusal to recognize this fact, Crimeans cannot use the generally accepted procedure.

They need to meet a number of conditions:

• Live on the peninsula for at least 6 months;
• Have a Russian residence permit;
• Express a desire to obtain citizenship of the country.

In order to free themselves from Ukrainian citizenship, they only need to submit an application for exit to the local department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and hand over their Ukrainian passports. After this procedure, residents of the region in Russia are considered as persons who do not have ties with foreign countries.

The procedure for renouncing Ukrainian citizenship is not too complicated, but it is often delayed as a result of incorrect paperwork or submission of false information. If you have doubts about your own competence, the applicant can use the services of a notary.

Where to go

From July 24, 2021, obtaining Russian citizenship without renouncing Ukrainian citizenship has become possible! Therefore, it is not necessary to submit such a document to the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the rest of the package of papers. If you still need it, you should apply for an application to a notary. The migration department of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate will not help you here - they do not have a sample, it is compiled in free form. And notaries already have their own version, in which they only change the applicant’s data.

Choose any licensed notary, there are no restrictions.

What does Russian legislation say?

Russian citizenship for Ukrainians begins with obtaining a document and legalization in the state. Today there are two options:

1. Obtaining a patent to carry out labor activities in Russia. In this case, the document is issued quickly and legally.
2. Registration of refugee status. It is received free of charge. However, it is not possible to register in every subject of the Russian Federation due to the workload of the Federal Migration Service.

In addition to the two main options for legalization in the country, there is another way to legalize a Ukrainian’s stay in Russia. To do this, you must submit a package of documentation to obtain a temporary residence permit. In this case, the paperwork procedure may take more than 3 months. However, as soon as the document is officially received, then it will be possible to start the procedure for renouncing citizenship in Ukraine.

Grounds for a simplified change of citizenship for a resident of Ukraine

For Ukrainian residents, the procedure for revocation of citizenship follows a simplified version in the following cases:

• the person was born in the USSR (as confirmation, he must provide a birth certificate or a passport issued in the RSFSR);
• is a disabled person or a pensioner, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War;
• is a highly specialized and highly qualified specialist;
• has parents who are Russian citizens;
• has been married to a Russian citizen for more than 3 years;
• has a child who is incapacitated, whose other parent has lost his or her rights or died;
• carries out labor activities as an individual entrepreneur in the Russian Federation for 3 years, paying tax deductions, or is the owner of a share in a company of at least 100 million rubles;
• has adult children who are Russian citizens (their passports must be provided).

It is possible to obtain citizenship for persons who received a Russian education after 2002, or who officially work in the territory of the Russian Federation for a period of more than 3 years.

Form No. 21 (for a child)

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The form can be obtained from the Russian Embassy or Consulate when submitting an application. This form is required in 2021 for all categories of minor applicants, since it will not be possible to renounce Ukrainian citizenship without filling out this form. The form is a one-sheet application indicating:

• Last name, first name, patronymic of the child.
• Date of Birth.
• Basic information about one parent.

The child puts a personal signature and the date of submission of this application. This form can be attached to the documents if the refusal is issued simultaneously with the parent/parents. This form is printed and provided in 4 copies.

In cases where a child adopted by foreigners needs to renounce citizenship status, the procedure for filing papers in Russia does not change. Additionally, in 2021, a decision of the court/diplomatic mission/authorized body on adoption and a marriage certificate of the couple adopting the child are submitted. The procedure will take the same 12 months and the decision is considered made after the president’s signature.

Features of filling out form No. 20

The key requirement for writing all of the above application forms (No. 20, No. 21 and No. 22) is the absence of corrections, errors, incomplete or unreliable information. You can fill out the forms either by hand or by printing on a computer.

The structure and content of form No. 20 (main application) differs significantly from forms No. 21 and 22.

The rest of the form is filled out by the responsible consular officer who accepts the documents. It includes: official notes, a note on the date of receipt of documents, as well as the full name and position of the responsible person.

With a personal signature, the consular employee certifies that the form has been filled out correctly and that the application and required documents have been accepted.