Citizenship of Ukraine – Acquisition, Acceptance, Renewal, and Exit

The intensification of migration processes in the world is no longer surprising. It has a compelling justification: citizens of different countries are increasingly finding work and training abroad, marrying there, finding relatives, and reuniting with families. As a result, our country is actively developing and becoming more and more attractive to migrants, who eventually face the issue of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship.

Ukrainian citizenship is more attractive to foreigners the more far-sighted their plans are, as it provides several benefits:

• to become a full member of a democratic society;
• to visit some countries, including the European Union, without opening a visa;
• have advantages in doing business in the country;
• get tax benefits for many services, etc.

However, it should be noted that citizenship can only be obtained if there are grounds for it and the relevant conditions in law. And the Procedure itself is not easy and quite long because the President decides to grant citizenship. Therefore, to avoid errors in the design of documents and prevent situations where citizenship may be denied, you should turn to competent professionals. Status Ko lawyers :

• consult on all migration issues;
• warn about risks in advance and suggest measures to avoid them;
• will organize full support and be regularly informed about the state of affairs.

Qualified legal support is a guarantee of success.

Citizenship of Ukraine – Fundamental Concepts and Principles

Citizenship is a special relationship with the state based on the rights and obligations provided by law.

Principles of Ukrainian citizenship:

• it is the only thing – you can not be a citizen of another country at the same time;
• it is impossible to deprive a Ukrainian of citizenship against his will, but if he wishes can change it, then the Ukrainian is annulled;
• automatic acquisition, as well as renunciation of citizenship, is impossible;
• all Ukrainian citizens have equal rights, no matter on what grounds they acquire citizenship.

Problems of obtaining and renewing the citizenship of Ukraine are regulated by the Law “On Citizenship”, according to which a particular Procedure has been created, which determines the necessary documents for the procedures and establishes the algorithm of actions.

Applications for citizenship are submitted to:

• President – if it is a question of acceptance and exit;
• the head of the local department of the LCA – from a person who already lives in our country;
• the head of a diplomatic mission or consulate – from a person living in another country.

Most applications are considered within three months, only for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship – up to a year.

The following documents are used as proof of citizenship:

• Birth Certificate;
• passports – Ukrainian, foreign, diplomatic, and service;
• Seaman’s certificate issued by diplomatic (or consular) services identity card for return to Ukraine, temporary identity card of a citizen of Ukraine.

Citizenship of Ukraine can not only be gained but also lost if:

• submit knowingly false information or false documents;
• become a citizen of another country;

not to renounce foreign citizenship in time.

Acquisition of Ukrainian Citizenship – the Grounds and Features of Registration

Two main principles of citizenship in most countries:

• The “right to blood” when a child inherits the citizenship of the parents;
• “Land law”, or territory where the child’s nationality determines where they were born.

In world practice, the application of both principles is known – both the advantage of one of them and the combination. For example, the advantage of the “right of territory” is characteristic of the United States, Cuba, and India. In Ukraine, the “right to blood” principle has priority, and the “right to territory” is used only as an additional argument when family ties cannot determine citizenship.

The grounds for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship, in addition to the birth of Ukrainian parents in our country, may be:

• adoption and guardianship;
• renewal procedure;
• establishing paternity, etc.

IMPORTANTLY! Children from 14 to 18 years of age acquire citizenship only for consent.

Suppose the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by birth requires almost no additional effort than in all other cases. In that case, you need to initiate and take several actions to become a Ukrainian citizen.

• collect a case – a copy of the birth certificate, passport, and other papers, the list of which depends on the grounds;
• write a statement;
• apply to the LCA;
• waiting for the decision, get first a registration certificate and then a passport.

Foreigners wishing to become Ukrainian citizens undertake to renounce foreign citizenship within two years. They first receive a temporary identity card of a citizen of Ukraine for up to two years and only after fulfilling their obligations – a Ukrainian passport.

Acceptance of Ukrainian Citizenship – the Grounds and Algorithm of Registration

Foreigners and stateless persons who:

• recognize and abide by Ukrainian laws;
• renounce the citizenship of other countries;
• live in our country for five years or more;
• received an immigration permit ;
• speak Ukrainian at the level established by law;
• have legal livelihoods (does not apply to asylum seekers or refugees).

IMPORTANTLY! Applications for Ukrainian citizenship are usually completed and submitted in person, but a legal representative can do this for good reasons.

The package of documents specified in paragraphs 45-51 of the Procedure, in addition to the application form, must include:

• copies of passport or another identity document,
• translations of central securities into Ukrainian ;
• confirmation of the fact of living in Ukraine;
• a written commitment to renounce foreign citizenship.

Applicants may submit not a commitment but a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship if they:

• recognized as refugees or in need of asylum;
• are on duty in the Armed Forces;
• have special merits before our country;
• being citizens of the aggressor state (occupier), persecuted, etc.

When the persons who submitted the declaration receive Ukrainian citizenship, the foreign passport must be returned.

Applications and documents are considered during the year. Still, in the case of children, refugees, or asylum seekers, the period does not exceed 9 months from the date of submission of documents.

Citizenship may be refused if the applicant:

• committed a felony;
• participated in genocide or other crimes against humanity;
• sentenced to imprisonment for the committed crime;
• does not meet the conditions for admission to citizenship;
• provided documents that were not adequately executed for consideration.

A person may consider himself a citizen on the day of signing the decree by the President.

Renewal of Ukrainian Citizenship

Renewal Ukrainian citizenship for those who have ceased to be Ukrainian citizens due to a presidential decree is a quicker and simpler procedure than obtaining citizenship for the first time. This creates favorable conditions for the return of Ukrainians who have finally decided to stay in their home country. In addition, those who have acquired foreign citizenship and those who do not have citizenship can take advantage of this opportunity.

To renew Ukrainian citizenship, you need to collect documents, fill out an application form and apply to the LCA. The application must be considered no later than three months.

The package of documents, in addition to two copies of the renewal application, must contain:

• copy of passport or identity card;
• three photographs 35×45 mm;
• declaration of absence of foreign citizenship;
• certificate of termination of Ukrainian citizenship, etc.

The composition of the papers in the case depends on the specific conditions and situations, so you should consult a lawyer to provide precisely what you need and avoid returning documents due to improper processing.

After the cessation of citizenship, persons living outside the country must provide documentary evidence that they have not committed serious crimes or crimes against humanity or participated in the genocide in other countries.

Citizenship may not be renewed if:

• a former citizen of Ukraine has committed a serious crime or participated in genocide;
• the applicant has been convicted in our country of severe crimes, and his actions pose a threat to national security;
• the loss of citizenship was the result of falsifications and fraud in obtaining, the result of providing false information and concealment of material facts;
• the person does not have proper grounds for renewal;
• the applicant submitted the LCA documents, the design of which does not meet the requirements of the law.

Withdrawal From Citizenship

Withdrawal from the citizenship of Ukraine is issued to persons who already have a permanent residence permit in another country and live there. Unlike the loss of citizenship initiated by a state body, the former Ukrainian citizen must initiate the exit – the Procedure begins with his application. A competent lawyer will tell you how to renounce Ukrainian citizenship most conveniently, so do not hesitate – and apply.

Registration of renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship is possible only when the applicant is already a citizen of another country or has documented guarantees of citizenship from foreign government agencies.

The legislation also provides grounds for renouncing the citizenship of children; it happens:

• at the request of one or both parents who have gone abroad and are applying for Ukrainian citizenship ;
• at the request of one of the adoptive parents – a foreigner or a stateless person.

IMPORTANTLY! Withdrawal from citizenship of children aged 14 to 18 is possible only with their consent.

For the renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship to be executed appropriately, it is necessary to collect a case, which, in addition to the application, will include:

• a copy of the passport (it must contain a mark of permanent residence);
• 4 photos 3.5×4.5 cm;
• Certificate of acquisition of citizenship or documentary proof of foreign citizenship in case of renunciation of Ukrainian, etc.

You can apply in person at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ukrainian embassy in the country whose citizenship the former Ukrainian citizen plans to obtain.

IMPORTANTLY! If the person submitting the documents is charged in a criminal case or has already been convicted by a court, renunciation of citizenship is not allowed.

Term of registration of an exit – to year:

• about a month, the documents can be checked by the consular office;
• the Foreign Ministry is working on the documents for another month;
• and further studies the case of the Commission under the President of Ukraine.

Citizenship may be refused if a person:

• does not have a permanent residence in the country where they have received or will receive citizenship;
• does not have a foreign passport and documented guarantees for its receipt;
• prosecuted or suspected of committing a crime.

Withdrawal from citizenship is dated on signing the relevant presidential decree.

Certificate of Registration of a Person As a Citizen of Ukraine

This document confirms the registration of a person as a Ukrainian citizen and is used to obtain documents proving citizenship – such as a Ukrainian passport. The registration certificate usually completes the stage of registration of acquisition or acceptance of Ukrainian citizenship: an application and a package of documents are submitted to the LCA for consideration, and a registration certificate is issued to the person.

That is, the algorithm for obtaining help is simple:

• you need to apply to the territorial body of the LCA

personally;

• apply, having executed it properly;
• add a package of documents, and if necessary, their translation into Ukrainian – passport or certificate, documented confirmation of permanent residence, photo 3.5×4.5 cm;
• confirm payment for the service;
• wait for the application to be considered and obtain a registration certificate.

You can also apply to the LCA with a written application for the provision of administrative services – a registration certificate.

IMPORTANTLY! Carefully check the correctness of the information entered in the application. Due to errors or inaccuracies, the application may be rejected without consideration.

A certificate of registration must be issued no later than the tenth day after the decision on citizenship.

The certificate may not be issued only in case of cancellation of the decision on registration due to detected fraud or falsification or concealment of essential facts. A person cannot become a citizen of Ukraine.

Issuance of a Temporary Certificate of a Citizen of Ukraine 

Temporary citizenship certificates are issued to persons who have reached the age of sixteen and already have Ukrainian citizenship but have not had time to renounce a foreign one and have undertaken to terminate it within two years.

While the refusal process is underway, a person can identify themself as a citizen of Ukraine in the institutions and organizations of our country with the help of a temporary certificate, open a bank account or issue an electronic signature.

The validity of the temporary certificate is up to two years.

To obtain this important document, please contact:

• to the relevant department of the LCA – if the person is in our country;
• to a Ukrainian diplomatic mission or consulate in another country.

In the package of documents, in addition to the application form, are added:

• 2 photos 3.5×4.5 cm;
• certificate of registration of a person as a citizen of Ukraine ;
• a copy of the registration number of the taxpayer (RNOKPP).

The case is submitted in person by the applicant, who must present a passport or a certificate that replaces it and, if necessary, a Ukrainian translation of documents.

The application is considered for a maximum of 10 days.

The temporary certificate contains a photograph of the owner and his signature. The reverse side of the document indicates the place of permanent residence.

They may refuse to issue a temporary certificate if the case of documents is incomplete or there are shortcomings in their design.

IMPORTANTLY! The temporary identity card of a citizen of Ukraine, together with the document confirming the termination of foreign citizenship, is given at the time of receipt of the passport.

“Status Ko” and Solving Problems With Citizenship

Acquisition, acceptance, and renewal of citizenship in Ukraine and renunciation of citizenship are pretty complex procedures. The average person quickly makes mistakes, loses time, and sometimes chances to achieve the goal. To save your resources and be confident in the result, you should trust the professionals.

Status Ko lawyers will help understand all the nuances of regulating migration issues, successfully use legal opportunities and get reliable protection of interests.

Any client’s request will be qualitatively processed, and the most accessible steps to solve the problem will be developed. Experienced and competent specialists will be happy to provide an intermediate consultation, conduct an alternative analysis of the case, and identify unclear details and opportunities.

Achieving your status with Status Ko is easy.