For citizens who were born in Russia or have family roots in this country, they can be returned to their homeland. According to the new law, this process can be carried out using a simplified system; it is enough to just write a refusal from a notary about the refusal of Ukrainian citizenship.
Other foreign citizens can still count on obtaining citizenship without giving up what they already have, but this opportunity is only available to specific countries with which Russia maintains relations.
The concept of dual citizenship
Attitudes towards dual citizenship, which predetermine the essence of the state's legal policy in the field of citizenship, vary depending on the characteristics of politics, culture, demographic, ethnographic situation, geographical location and other factors.
Important!!! Dual citizenship should be understood as a special political and legal state of an individual, in which he simultaneously possesses the citizenship of two or more foreign states .
The Russian Citizenship Law of 2002 defines dual citizenship as a citizen of the Russian Federation having citizenship (nationality) of a foreign state.
Dual citizenship complicates the legal position of a person who simultaneously has citizenship of two or more states, since his stable legal connection with two states gives rise to not only “double rights”, but also “double responsibilities”.
Dual citizenship of Russia and Ukraine
Many people think about the question: is it possible to have dual citizenship of Russia-Ukraine? It is necessary that an international agreement be signed between the two countries, then a person who has two passports will be considered a citizen of both countries, no matter where he lives. Since such an agreement has not been reached between Ukraine and Russia, today there is not dual citizenship, but the simultaneous existence of two citizenships, i.e. Each state considers a person its subject. Formally, dual citizenship is prohibited in Ukraine, but there are contradictions in the laws that allow obtaining another citizenship while maintaining the status of a resident of Ukraine.
Citizenship implies the mutual rights and obligations of the state and citizen, the relationship between the authorities and the inhabitants of the country. Based on world practice, many countries are loyal to their citizens acquiring passports of other states.
The lack of proper regulatory regulation and tools for solving the problem of second citizenship on the part of the Ukrainian state gives rise to disputes and allows citizens to find roundabout ways of integration into other countries.
How to obtain dual citizenship Russia-Ukraine? The law requires that in order to acquire the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation, one must renounce the previous one. That is why residents of Ukraine turn to their embassies with an application for renunciation of citizenship, and a copy of this application is taken to the territorial department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (formerly the Federal Migration Service). But this does not mean losing the status of a citizen in your country. Ukrainian legislation is one of the most controversial. Art. 4 of the Constitution and art. 2 of the “Law on Citizenship” directly prohibits dual citizenship, but Art. 19 of the “Citizenship Law” prescribes the loss of Ukrainian citizenship upon obtaining the right to reside and work in another country. At the same time, the same law clearly states that even if a citizen receives a passport from another state, he will remain a Ukrainian subject with all rights and obligations. In other words, the legislation of this country does not prohibit dual citizenship, it does not recognize it.
Legalization through permanent residence or citizenship in another state means second citizenship for a Ukrainian.
How to obtain dual citizenship Russia-Ukraine.
Benefits of dual citizenship
A person with dual citizenship has all the rights of both states, but he cannot use these rights at the same time: they only work in the country where he lives. For example, a bipatrid - a person with dual citizenship - will not receive a pension or enjoy any benefits in Russia if he currently lives in Tajikistan.
However, there are rights that can be used in Tajikistan - this is participation in presidential elections and in the representative bodies of the Russian Federation. At the same time, there are restrictions: you cannot hold elected positions and the position of a judge, be elected to parliament, or serve in the police, intelligence services or prosecutor's office.
Who can have multiple passports in the Republic of Moldova
In the Republic of Moldova, dual citizenship is allowed with any country. Any citizen can have an unlimited number of passports from other states and this will not affect his rights in any way.
In December 2007, Moldova restricted the right to own other passports for civil servants, but this ban did not last long: already on December 23, 2009, this restriction was lifted.
The legislation of the Republic of Moldova treats dual citizenship with Russia quite legally, and EU laws allow you to enter the countries of the European Union without a visa if you have a Moldovan passport. The latter is quite interesting for Russian citizens, especially those who are descendants of residents of the republic and have the right to obtain citizenship through a simplified procedure.
General information about dual citizenship
Dual citizenship (binational) is a constitutional and legal status that allows not only to live in the country, but also to enjoy all civic benefits and fulfill duty to the state that a person has chosen. To obtain this status, you must submit documents and obtain citizenship of the country.
If a person obtains dual citizenship in Russia and Moldova, he has the full right to duties and freedoms in one of the selected countries. This applies to taxation, military service, political choices and other aspects of life.
Legal regulation
Russian legislation does not limit a person in the number of passports he receives. But if a citizen of the Russian Federation does not refuse a valid passport, he continues to be considered as a resident of Russia. Neither military service nor taxes can be avoided.
Since most countries have strict migration policies, you can obtain a civil passport only after renouncing your current citizenship. In the case of Moldova, there is no need to submit civil documents.
Countries allowing dual citizenship with Russia
There are a number of states that will happily issue citizenship for investments or contributions to local budgets. These include Bulgaria, Malta and Cyprus, where decisions on a new passport are made in the shortest possible time. Other countries grant status after the birth of a child within the state, including:
- USA;
- Mexico;
- Colombia;
- Canada.
Migrants are regularly interested in the question of whether dual citizenship is allowed in Moldova. Today Moldova is negotiating with Russia regarding the issue, and binational citizenship is prohibited at the legislative level.
How is it different from second citizenship?
Russian legislation does not limit a person’s number of passports if this does not contradict his rights. By preparing additional documents in other states, a person acquires citizenship. After this, he receives legal status and undertakes to comply with the requirements of all countries where the passport is issued. We are talking about taxes, political choices, payment of duties and fees, and military service.
With dual citizenship, a person is a citizen of one country in which he lives. The demands of the second state where citizenship was registered are unlawful.
Prospects for dual citizenship between Moldova and Russia
The Government of the Republic of Moldova has repeatedly taken the initiative to formalize an agreement on dual citizenship between Moldova and Russia. At present, the Russian side has not given any specific response to this proposal, but has promised to study this issue and make a mutually beneficial decision on it.
This means that if the agreement is nevertheless signed, Moldovan citizens will not be able to renounce their citizenship due to their receipt of Russian passports.
Legislation of Moldova
The Republic of Moldova does not have any officially concluded agreements with other countries on dual citizenship. However, the attitude towards persons with second and multiple citizenship is extremely liberal. Any citizen of Moldova can have an unlimited number of passports from other countries; There are no restrictions in this regard even for civil servants.
Since dual citizenship itself is not prohibited in Moldova, you can apply for a Moldovan passport if you meet the necessary requirements. But this will be the second citizenship.
Notification to the GUVM authorities about foreign citizenship
Since 2014, according to amendments to the Federal Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”, Russians must report whether they have the right to reside in another country or have a foreign passport.
| Notice deadline | Under what conditions |
| Two month | The notification must be submitted within two months from the date of receipt of the document: passport or permanent residence permit. |
| One month | Persons who permanently reside in the territory of another state. They are given a month's time after returning to Russian territory. |
There are several ways to notify the GUVM authorities about the right of residence in another state:
- Personal visit to the GUVM authorities;
- Send notification by mail via Russian Post.
How to apply?
Dual citizenship is issued according to a fairly simple procedure, but requires a long period of time to consider the application. A person must meet the criteria for obtaining citizenship, collect the entire package of required documents, write an autobiography and submit an application to the Embassy of Moldova.
Where do you get a passport?
If a person is on the territory of the Russian Federation, a passport is obtained during a personal visit to the Embassy after approval of the application. When a Russian citizen lives in Moldova on a permanent basis, the Migration Service deals with document issues.
Required documents
To complete a correct application for citizenship, a person must submit a set of documents:
- passport or international identity card;
- completed application;
- autobiography;
- 4 photos measuring 35 by 45 mm;
- information about family composition;
- a receipt confirming payment of the state duty;
- certificate of knowledge of the Moldovan language;
- certificates of income level.
Deadlines, state duty
If you independently apply for a Moldovan passport through the consulate, the cost of the state fee is 50 euros for the certificate, as well as 10 euros for processing the application. The stage of processing questionnaires requires careful analysis, so the standard period is up to 1 year.
Obligation of citizens of the Russian Federation to notify the authorities of the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs
According to the Federal Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” of 2014, all residents of Russia are required to notify the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs about obtaining the right to reside in another state or obtaining a foreign passport. If a person is in Russia, the notification period is 2 months from the date of registration of documents. For those living abroad, information must be provided within 1 month of arrival home. Information is transmitted during a personal visit or via postal notification.
What are the consequences of violating the notice period?
If a person violates the deadlines for submitting notifications, he is held accountable in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses. Late notification of the right of permanent residence is punishable by a fine of 500-1000 rubles. In the case of a passport and permanent residence of a foreign state, fines of up to 200 thousand rubles are provided. and up to 400 hours. forced labor.
Responsibility for violation of notification deadlines
In accordance with Article 19.8.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences, for violation of the procedure for submitting a notification about a Russian citizen having citizenship or a document confirming the right to permanent residence in a foreign state, which is expressed in the untimely submission of such a notification or the provision of false or incomplete information, administrative penalties are provided a fine of 500 to 1000 rubles.
For failure to fulfill obligations to submit a notification of the presence of a passport of another state or a document on the basis of which one can reside in the territory of another country, in accordance with Article 330.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, a fine in the amount of 200,000 rubles or in the amount of an annual salary may be imposed on the guilty person , or assign compulsory work for up to 400 hours.
Citizenship of Moldova by investment
In addition to fulfilling financial obligations and preparing a package of documents, the applicant will need to send the application and documentation through the Commission for the Review of Cases for Obtaining Citizenship through Participation in the Investment Program in the Republic of Moldova to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Moldova, which, if approved, will forward it to the President of the country.
The application and documents can be submitted personally or through an attorney who acts on the basis of a notarized power of attorney, or through a company accredited in accordance with the regulations approved by the Commission for the consideration of cases of obtaining citizenship through participation in the investment program in the Republic of Moldova.
The decision to grant citizenship or reject the application must be made by the authorities of the host country within no more than three (3) months from the date of submission of the application and the complete package of documents to the Ministry of Economy by the Commission for the Review of Cases on Obtaining Citizenship through Participation in the Investment Program in the Republic of Moldova .
At the same time, attention should be paid to the fact that the corresponding decree of the government of the Republic of Moldova, regulating the procedure for obtaining citizenship of this country in exchange for investments, is a new regulatory act, and only recently came into force. Accordingly, there is no practice of obtaining economic citizenship in this country yet.
How to refuse to be an indigenous person of the Russian Federation
Issues of citizenship in the Russian Federation are regulated mainly by two legislative acts: the Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” dated May 31, 2002 N 62-FZ and the Regulations on the procedure for considering issues of citizenship of the Russian Federation, approved by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated November 14, 2002 No. 1325.
These issues are dealt with by the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, whose territorial divisions should be contacted.
The package of documents for renunciation of citizenship of the Russian Federation includes the following papers:
- application in the prescribed form;
- confirmation of citizenship to another country or the ability to acquire such affiliation;
- a certificate from the local tax office confirming that there is no debt to the state budget, unpaid fines or alimony;
- receipt of payment of state duty;
- Russian civil passport;
- documents on change of first name/surname/patronymic;
- copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates and military ID;
- three photos of the established sample.
The application review period is 12 months. Details of the procedure are in the article “Renunciation of Russian citizenship.”
