Acquisition of Ukrainian Citizenship

06 May 2020 19:34

Essential and Background Information

The key legal instruments that regulate Ukrainian citizenship are the Law of Ukraine on the Ukrainian Citizenship and the Presidential Decree of 27 March 2001 No. 215 on some aspects of implementation of the Law on the Ukrainian Citizenship, namely the Procedure regulating proceedings on applications and submissions related to citizenship and execution of adopted decisions.

Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship can be initiated only by individuals. Such request may be submitted not only by a stateless person, but also by a foreigner who pledges to terminate his/her foreign citizenship within 2 years of his/her registration as a citizen of Ukraine.

Persons who have acquired Ukrainian citizenship and pledged to terminate foreign citizenship shall be documented with the temporary ID card of Ukrainian citizen with a two-year validity period. Such persons shall be issued Ukrainian passports only after they have terminated foreign citizenship or submitted a declaration renouncing the foreign nationality.

Minors between 14 and 18 years of age can acquire Ukrainian citizenship only upon their consent.

Documents confirming Ukrainian citizenship

passport of the citizen of Ukraine;
certificate of Ukrainian citizenship;
passport of the citizen of Ukraine for travelling abroad;
temporary certificate of the citizen of Ukraine;
travel document of a child;
diplomatic passport;
service passport;
seafarer’s identity certificate;
crew member certificate;
identity certificate for return to Ukraine.

Acquiring Ukrainian Citizenship by Admission

As provided in Article 9 of the Law on the Ukrainian Citizenship, foreigners or stateless persons may be granted Ukrainian citizenship upon their request. Requirements for admission to Ukrainian citizenship are (to be met concurrently)*:

Individuals must recognize and respect the Constitution and Laws of Ukraine;
Individuals are required to submit a statement of statelessness (if they are stateless persons) or pledge to terminate foreign citizenship (if they are foreigners);
Individuals must legally reside on the territory of Ukraine continuously during the past five years;
Individuals must obtain an immigration permit;
Individuals must demonstrate proficiency in the Ukrainian language to a level sufficient to maintain communication;
Individuals must have legal sources to maintain themselves without recourse to state funds.

*There are some exceptions; see Article 9 of the Law on the Ukrainian Citizenship for more details

Individuals must recognize and respect the Constitution and Laws of Ukraine;
Individuals are required to submit a statement of statelessness (if they are stateless persons) or pledge to terminate foreign citizenship (if they are foreigners);
Individuals must legally reside on the territory of Ukraine continuously during the past five years;
Individuals must obtain an immigration permit;
Individuals must demonstrate proficiency in the Ukrainian language to a level sufficient to maintain communication;
Individuals must have legal sources to maintain themselves without recourse to state funds.

*There are some exceptions; see Article 9 of the Law on the Ukrainian Citizenship for more details

Acquiring Ukrainian Citizenship by geographic place of origin

As provided in Article 8 of the Law on the Ukrainian Citizenship, a stateless person or foreigner who has pledged to terminate foreign citizenship, who have applied for Ukrainian citizenship, and also their minor children, shall be registered as citizens of Ukraine if they meet one of the following conditions:

Such person or at least one of his/her parents, grandparents, siblings (full-blood or half-blood), son, daughter, or grandchild were born or permanently resided, until August 24, 1991, on the territory that became the territory of Ukraine according to the Law of Ukraine on Legal Succession of Ukraine;
Such person or at least one of his/her parents, grandparents, siblings (full-blood or half-blood) were born or permanently resided on other territories that at the time of their birth or during their permanent residence were part of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the West Ukrainian People’s Republic, the Ukrainian State, the Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic, Zakarpattia Ukraine, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukrainian SSR).