Registration and obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for Russians

Simplified acquisition of citizenship

It doesn’t matter under what pretext a Russian citizen wants to renounce this status - political disagreements or financial reasons - it is possible to obtain a Ukrainian passport under a simplified procedure. In fact, in 2021, despite the strife that has been going on for several years, Ukraine is still hospitable and ready to provide a place in the country to any Russian who wants it.

Ukrainian passport

The simplified procedure involves reviewing documents from 1 to 3 months. But there are a number of points that can delay the process, and it will be more difficult for a Russian to obtain Ukrainian citizenship.

To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the law on citizenship of Ukraine, and also confirm that a relative lives in the country or had Ukrainian citizenship in the past. This is what gives priority to ensuring that all other conditions for obtaining status are abolished. To do this, you will need to learn the state language and renounce Russian citizenship.

A decision on a simplified system for obtaining citizenship in 2021 is made only after consideration of the application by a special commission created under the current guarantor of the Constitution of Ukraine.

Who can obtain Ukrainian citizenship through a simplified procedure?

On August 13, President Zelensky simplified the granting of Ukrainian citizenship to Russians who were subjected to political persecution at home and to foreigners who took part in the war in Donbass.

Among the Ukrainian defenders there are many foreigners and Russians / Photo Getty

To obtain a Ukrainian passport, Russians must go through a certain procedure. In particular, provide:

• declaration of renunciation of Russian citizenship;
• a document confirming persecution for political reasons (certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, a diplomatic mission or consular office of Ukraine, issued in accordance with the procedure established by the Cabinet of Ministers).

Conditions for obtaining citizenship

There are a number of conditions supported by the Constitution of Ukraine and the Law “On Citizenship”. Among them:

• birth in the country;
• origin;
• marriage;
• restoration of citizenship;
• adoption, guardianship.

The listed conditions give the right in 2021 to citizens of the Russian Federation to receive official status as a resident of Ukraine, but there are several grounds for obtaining:

• recognition of the Constitution of Ukraine, compliance with its laws and ideology;
• renunciation of Russian citizenship (it is prohibited to have dual citizenship on Ukrainian territory);
• reside in the country for at least 5 years;
• knowledge of the state language;
• stable financial position;
• immigration permit (issued by the embassy within the quota).

Immigration Permit

This document is decisive in order to obtain a Ukrainian passport. This permit is granted by the embassy within the established quota. Priority is given to people who are strategically important for the country:

• practicing doctors, cultural and artistic figures, scientists, athletes;
• citizens with a stable financial situation, investors;
• people who have family ties with citizens of Ukraine;
• refugees who have lived in the country for at least 3 years;
• highly qualified specialists in various industries, useful for the development of the state’s economy.

Marriage with a citizen of Ukraine

You can register and obtain citizenship in Ukraine in a simplified manner, and one of them is marriage to a citizen of this country. The future spouse must confirm the fact of residence in the country with a birth certificate. After entering into a family relationship, this must be confirmed by another equally important document - a marriage certificate. After this procedure, a Russian citizen must stay in Ukraine for at least 2 years.

Sample marriage certificate with a citizen of Ukraine

In the current unstable times, some offer the opportunity to enter into a fictitious marriage for a large sum. After all, in Ukraine there is little likelihood that anyone will check the fictitiousness. But you should not commit a rash act, because you can lose the citizenship of both countries.

How to become a citizen of Ukraine

For Russians and representatives of other CIS countries, if there are sufficient grounds, it will not be difficult to obtain new citizenship. Moreover, Russians do not need a visa to Ukraine in 2021. Even if there is no reason, the problem is quite easily solved. The main thing is to know from which side to approach its solution.

The main reasons for migration worldwide are:

1. Economic, when people are looking for a more materially worthy life.
2. Political, when citizens of one country seek stability and security in another.

Nowadays, another common reason when people want to change citizenship is family reunification, the desire to move closer to family, or marriage between foreigners.

Depending on your motives and whether you have one or another status, obtaining Ukrainian citizenship requires collecting certain papers.

Receipt procedure

In 2021, it is possible to become a citizen of Ukraine by going through a number of procedures and collecting all the documents.

• immigration permit - issued at the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Ukraine or at the regional migration service office in Russia;
• obtaining a residence permit;
• waiting for permission to renounce Russian citizenship (the period is quite long - from 1 to 12 months);
• determination of one of the conditions for obtaining citizenship (family ties with residents of the country, residence within the Ukrainian SSR before 1991, persons who have ever had citizenship, etc.);
• provision of all necessary documents - in Russia to the embassy, ​​for residents of Ukraine - to the OVIR.

After this, if the answer is positive, a resident of the Russian Federation receives a Ukrainian passport and identification code. The corresponding order is signed by the head of state.

Filling out documents to obtain citizenship in Ukraine

By the way, every foreign guest must register with the OVIR if he intends to reside in the country for more than 3 days. According to the law, Russians have the right to stay on the territory of Ukraine for 90 days; if they apply again after 3 months, they have the opportunity to extend their stay by 180 days.

Before obtaining citizenship, you need to collect a certain package of documents necessary to obtain citizenship in Ukraine, which will allow you to obtain citizenship faster. Namely:

• statement;
• 3x4 photographs;
• permission to immigrate and renounce Russian citizenship;
• a document confirming the fact of residence in Ukraine for 5 years;
• photocopy of residence permit;
• receipt of payment of state duty;
• a document confirming the fact of proficiency in the state language and financial stability.

A copy and original of the passport are also attached to the application; for men of military age - a military ID.

Citizenship of Ukraine

Citizenship of Ukraine by territorial origin

• Processing time – up to 4 months
• The cost of the service is 9000 UAH.

In accordance with Article 8 of the Law of Ukraine “On Citizenship”, a person acquires Ukrainian citizenship on the following grounds:

• A person who himself or at least one of his parents, grandfather or grandmother, siblings, son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter was born or permanently resided before August 24, 1991 in the territory that became the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Legal Succession” Ukraine", or who himself or at least one of his parents, grandparents, siblings were born or permanently resided in other territories that were part of the Ukrainian People's Republic, Western Ukrainian People's Republic at the time of their birth or during their permanent residence Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic, Transcarpathian Ukraine, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (UkrSSR), and is a stateless person or a foreigner who has submitted an obligation to terminate foreign citizenship, and has submitted an application to acquire Ukrainian citizenship, as well as his minor children are registered citizens of Ukraine.

Foreigners who are citizens (subjects) of several states submit an obligation to cease citizenship of all these states.

Foreigners who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, instead of the obligation to terminate foreign citizenship, submit a declaration on the renunciation of foreign citizenship by the person who has been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine.

• A child who was born or permanently resided on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR (or at least one of his parents, grandparents were born or permanently resided in the above territories) and is a stateless person or a foreigner in respect of whom obligations to terminate foreign citizenship are presented, is registered as a citizen of Ukraine at the request of one of the parents or guardian or trustee.

• A child who was born on the territory of Ukraine after August 24, 1991 and did not acquire Ukrainian citizenship by birth and is a stateless person or a foreigner in respect of whom obligations to terminate foreign citizenship are presented, is registered as a citizen of Ukraine at the request of one of his legal representatives.

• Foreigners specified in parts one to three of this article, who have submitted an obligation to terminate foreign citizenship, must submit a document about this, issued by the authorized body of the relevant state, to the authorized body of Ukraine within two years from the date of registration as citizens of Ukraine. If foreigners, having all the grounds for obtaining such a document provided for by the legislation of that state, cannot obtain it for reasons beyond their control, they submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship.

• Submitting an obligation to terminate foreign citizenship is not required from foreigners who are citizens (subjects) of powers whose legislation provides for the automatic termination by persons of citizenship (nationality) of these states simultaneously with the acquisition of citizenship of another state, or if international treaties of Ukraine with other states whose citizens are foreigners , provide for the termination of citizenship of these states by persons simultaneously with the acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine, as well as from persons who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, and stateless persons.

• The date of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship in the cases provided for in this article is the date of registration of the person’s acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship.

• A person who has acquired Ukrainian citizenship and filed a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship undertakes to return the passport of a foreign state to the authorized body of that state. The requirement to undertake an obligation to return a passport of a foreign state does not apply to persons who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine.

Documents required to obtain Ukrainian citizenship by territorial basis:

The person was born, lived or relatives were born, lived until August 24, 1991 in the territory that became Ukrainian on the basis of the Law of Ukraine “On Legal Succession of Ukraine”

1. Application for acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin;
2. 2 photographs printed on matte paper measuring 4.5x3.5;
3. Also, depending on the legal status of the person, you will need one from the following documents:
   For stateless persons - declaration of absence of foreign citizenship (nationality);
4. For foreigners – a written obligation to terminate citizenship of their native state;
5. For refugees or foreigners to whom Ukraine has granted asylum on its territory - a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship with a document that confirms the status of a refugee or a person to whom Ukraine has granted asylum on its territory;
6. For foreign citizens of states that, in accordance with international treaties, are automatically deprived of the citizenship of their native country - an application for change of citizenship.

One of the parents who applies for Ukrainian citizenship on a territorial basis also applies for the granting of citizenship to a minor child and attaches the following documents:

1. A copy of the child's birth certificate;
2. Statement of consent of a child aged 14 to 18 years to acquire Ukrainian citizenship.

A child who is a foreign citizen or a stateless person who was born from a citizen of Ukraine or a person with permanent residence of Ukraine or a grandparent who was born or lived before August 24, 1991 in the territory that became Ukrainian on the basis of the Law of Ukraine “On the Succession of Ukraine”

1. Application for acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin;
2. 2 photographs printed on matte paper measuring 4.5x3.5;
3. If the child’s age at the time of filing the application is between 14 and 18 years old, then his written consent to acquire Ukrainian citizenship will be required;
4. Also, depending on the legal status of the person, you will need one from the following documents:
   For a stateless child - a declaration of the absence of foreign citizenship (nationality);
5. For a child who is a foreigner – a written obligation to terminate the citizenship of his native state;
6. For a child of a refugee or a foreigner to whom Ukraine has granted asylum on its territory - a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship with a document that confirms the status of a refugee or a person to whom Ukraine has granted asylum on its territory;
7. For children - foreign citizens of states that, in accordance with international treaties, are automatically deprived of the citizenship of their native country - an application for change of citizenship.

If the child is under guardianship or trusteeship, the documents are submitted by the guardian or trustee with a copy of the decision on granting guardianship/trusteeship.

A child born on the territory of Ukraine after August 24, 1991, however, did not acquire citizenship by birth and is a stateless person or a citizen of another state.

1. Application for acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin;
2. A copy of the birth certificate;
3. 2 photographs printed on matte paper measuring 4.5x3.5;
4. If the child’s age at the time of filing the application is between 14 and 18 years old, then his written consent to acquire Ukrainian citizenship will be required;
5. Also, depending on the legal status of the person, you will need one from the following documents:
   For a stateless child - a declaration of the absence of foreign citizenship (nationality);
6. For a child who is a foreigner – a written obligation to terminate the citizenship of his native state;
7. For a child of a refugee or a foreigner to whom Ukraine has granted asylum on its territory - a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship with a document that confirms the status of a refugee or a person to whom Ukraine has granted asylum on its territory;
8. For children - foreign citizens of states that, in accordance with international treaties, are automatically deprived of the citizenship of their native country - an application for change of citizenship.

Documents for registration and obtaining Ukrainian citizenship are submitted to the territorial or state migration authorities at the place of residence.
The application is considered within 3 months from the date of submission.

We will help speed up the process by 2-3 times.

Grounds for refusal to cooperate:

• The submitted documents do not comply with the legislation of Ukraine;
• The required documents are not available.

Services for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship:

• Legal advice on issues of registration of Ukrainian citizenship on a territorial basis;
• Preparation of an application for registration of Ukrainian citizenship on a territorial basis;
• Collection of necessary documents for registration of Ukrainian citizenship;
• Protection of the client’s interests and full support when submitting documents;
• Assistance in accelerating the process of reviewing documents for the adoption of Ukrainian citizenship on a territorial basis.

Legislative acts regulating the process of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship on a territorial basis:

• Law of Ukraine “On Citizenship of Ukraine”
• Decree of the President of Ukraine dated March 27, 2001 No. 215 “Issues of organizing the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Citizenship of Ukraine”

Our company also provides services:

• Apostille of documents – from 300 hryvnia depending on the documents
• Certificate of good conduct – from 200 hryvnia
• Correction in registry office documents - by agreement
• Registration of registration in Kyiv and Kyiv region – from 3500 hryvnia
• Medical insurance for foreign citizens – from 300 hryvnia