general information
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:
- Ukrainian-Belarusian agreements.
- Ukrainian-Tajik agreements.
- Ukrainian-Georgian agreements.
- 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
Registration of refusal to residents of Crimea
After Crimea became part of Russia, its citizens faced difficulties in leaving Ukrainian citizenship. The authorities of this foreign state do not consider this territory to belong to Russia, so they do not issue the necessary document.
To get out of this situation, according to Russian legislation, to renounce Ukrainian citizenship, residents of Crimea need to:
- Obtaining a residence permit in the Russian Federation;
- Do not leave the peninsula for six months;
- Submit an application to be granted the status of a Russian citizen. People must provide a foreign identity card and submit a paper stating that they confirm their desire to leave the foreign country.
Conditions for renunciation of citizenship
The procedure for registering withdrawal from Ukrainian citizenship was previously as follows:
- first, a person writes a statement (a sample can be downloaded on the website of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs);
- after that, he will have to collect all the necessary documents (the list of documents must be checked with the embassy staff);
- then the applicant goes to the consular department of the embassy;
- if none of the documents raise any objections, then the applicant receives permission to renounce citizenship.
Now, in 2021, Ukrainians can simply write an application for renunciation of citizenship and have it certified by a notary. And that will be enough.
You can download the law here.
A person who wants to become a citizen of another state must officially leave Ukraine. Upon arrival in another country, he undertakes to register with the consular office of the Ukrainian embassy. If these requirements are not met, the person will have to return to his homeland.
Procedure for renouncing Ukrainian citizenship
Renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship is carried out by mutual consent of the citizen and the state. This means that this procedure for terminating citizenship can be started and carried out only with the consent of the person who has submitted a corresponding petition to the competent government authorities of our country. At the same time, the state, in the absence of impeding circumstances, must agree with such an initiative of the person and, having granted the petition, terminate his Ukrainian citizenship.
The first and main condition for the possibility of renouncing citizenship is the fact of permanent residence of a citizen outside our country, formalized in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation.
This means that before initiating the procedure for renouncing citizenship, you must obtain a permit to leave for permanent residence in a specific foreign state at the migration service at your place of residence in Ukraine. Or, if you already live outside of Ukraine, such a permit can be issued at the Ukrainian consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
This permit is issued in accordance with a certain procedure, accompanied by removal from the place of registration in Ukraine, and its presence is evidenced by the corresponding stamp in the Ukrainian passport.
No matter how absurd it may seem, such a permit is required even despite the fact that the person has been living outside of Ukraine for many years and already has foreign citizenship.
Also, one should not confuse a residence permit issued by government agencies of a foreign state with a permit to leave Ukraine for permanent residence in this state. Having a permanent residence permit in a foreign country is not evidence that a person has permission to leave Ukraine for permanent residence; these are two different legal facts that can exist independently of each other.
You should not perceive a permit to leave Ukraine for permanent residence in a foreign country as an attempt by the state to influence your freedom of movement. This is just a procedure that legally formalizes a person’s status as a citizen permanently residing outside of Ukraine, with all the ensuing legal consequences.
I will tell you in more detail about the procedures for obtaining permission to travel abroad for permanent residence in one of the following articles.
At the same time, if you have questions regarding the possibility, procedure and timing of obtaining such a permit, you can ask them in the application for consultation, and if you want to use my services, I will be happy to help you.
The second and no less important condition for renunciation of citizenship is the fact that a citizen of Ukraine has already received foreign citizenship, or the presence of a document issued by the competent government agencies of a foreign state confirming that a specific person will be granted citizenship of this state subject to renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship.
The third important point that you should know is that renunciation of citizenship can only be started by contacting a consular office or diplomatic mission of Ukraine in the country of future or existing foreign citizenship. No other agency, including on the territory of Ukraine, is authorized to accept applications for renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship.
What documents need to be provided
To renounce Ukrainian citizenship, the applicant undertakes to submit the following documents:
- Application for renunciation of citizenship (form 20, sample can be downloaded on the website of the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation).
- Four high-quality photographs.
- A high-quality photocopy of your internal passport (this document must contain a mark on departure for permanent residence).
- A document indicating the acquisition of another citizenship.
- A document indicating the imminent acquisition of citizenship of another state in the event of renunciation of citizenship.
All documents are provided to the embassy in 4 copies. Instead of an internal Ukrainian passport, you can present a passport of the 1974 model. There should be a note about the discharge from the territory of the country of departure.
The period for consideration of the application does not exceed 12 months. To avoid misunderstandings, it is also necessary to take into account the time required for transmitting all certificates by command or diplomatic post. Typically, embassy officials notify the applicant of this.
It is important to take into account that the assistance of embassy staff is paid. Therefore, the applicant undertakes to attach a receipt for payment of the state duty to the above documents. The state duty today is $210.
After the head of the Ukrainian state issues the corresponding Decree, the applicant officially ceases to be a citizen of this country. Embassy staff notify the applicant of the decision within 7 days. The next stage is the confiscation of all Ukrainian travel cards. The period for implementing decisions of the head of the Ukrainian state should not exceed 30 working days.
Certificate of termination of citizenship
The procedure for renouncing the citizenship of minors differs significantly from resolving an adult issue. The conditions that arise from the relevant circumstances differ. If the parents of a minor are divorced, the applicant undertakes to provide all necessary certificates.
Application form
According to existing legislation, an application for renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship is written in the name of the current head of state. The application is defined as Form 20. The Form 20 application is accompanied by a high-quality photograph of the applicant measuring 35/45 mm.
Sample form for renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship. Form 20
The Form 20 application consists of 3 sections. The first section of the Form 20 application involves providing as much detailed information as possible about the applicant. This section consists of 13 points. Particular attention should be paid to the point “Where and when did you obtain documents for permanent residence outside Ukraine.”
In the second section of the Form 20 application, the applicant undertakes to list all minor children who are traveling abroad with him. In this section, the applicant undertakes to indicate the citizenship of the child and the father of the minor.
In the third section, the applicant lists all the documents that he attaches to the Form 20 application. At the very bottom of the Form 20 form, the applicant undertakes to confirm that he has provided correct information by affixing his signature. It must be exactly the same as in the Ukrainian foreign passport.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
Voluntary refusal
To voluntarily renounce Ukrainian citizenship, the applicant collects the necessary documents. The main certificate is a statement, a sample of which can be downloaded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. It is important that the form is not spoiled or damaged. You can also ask for an application form from employees of a diplomatic institution.
The procedure for losing citizenship cannot be called simple. In order for it to go as painlessly as possible, the applicant should seek help from highly qualified lawyers.
Procedure
When an applicant formalizes a renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship, the procedure is as follows:
- apply for permanent residence abroad (issued at the Department of Foreign Affairs or a diplomatic institution of Ukraine);
- register for permanent consular registration (paid);
- fill out an application form for renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship (the application will be considered only if there is a permanent residence stamp in the passport);
- hand over your foreign passport;
- receive a certificate of non-nationality of the country of departure;
In 2021, the process was further simplified and appropriate amendments were made to the law. You can view them here.
Permanent residence abroad is issued at the GUVM within 3–4 weeks. When applying to a diplomatic institution abroad, the applicant will have to wait from 30 to 45 days. Upon completion of the procedure, the applicant is deregistered at his place of residence in Ukraine. The person is also removed from military registration and surrenders an internal Ukrainian passport.
If necessary, each person can apply for a Ukrainian residence permit under a quota. The basis is the previously existing citizenship of the country of departure.
