How to become a citizen of Ukraine?

Obtaining Ukrainian citizenship is a very complex process, clearly regulated by state legislation. The decision to give / not give a positive answer is made only by the President. After obtaining citizenship, a foreigner must complete all the necessary documents and go through a difficult procedure to finally become a Ukrainian.

Many mistakes can be made when applying to the competent authorities. Therefore, we recommend that you talk to our consultants from the beginning. This will save you time, money and nerves. MigrationGroup is your most qualified legal aid.

Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship: grounds and conditions

In order to become a citizen of Ukraine, you must follow some rules. About:

• obedience to the law;
• lack of citizenship of another country;
• 5 years of residence in Ukraine without departure;
• obtaining an immigration permit;
• knowledge of language.

Also, a person must fully provide for themselves financially (ie, have a legal job).

But there are some exceptions, as some people can obtain citizenship under the simplified system. It’s about the country’s natives, Ukrainian children and those born here. The list also includes people with citizenship who have lost their citizenship and incapacitated persons with local guardians.

Documents for citizenship

Collecting the necessary documents is the first step towards acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. You need to present:

1. Passport.
2. Certificate of permanent residence.
3. Receipt of payment of taxes.
4. 3 photos in 3.5×4.5 format.

The list also includes documents stating that:

• a person has lived in Ukraine for 5 (with the citizenship of another country) or 3 (without citizenship) years;
• no citizenship. It can also be a statement of commitment to waive it;
• the person has an immigration permit and a permanent residence permit;
• you speak the state language;
• you have special rights to become a citizen;
• the person has a job;
• you are a person with a disability (if required).

Documents must be translated into the state language. An application is also attached to the full package.

This is a very responsible step. After all, the slightest mistake in the design can lead to failure. All data must be carefully checked several times.

Then the documentation is submitted to the nearest department of the State Migration Service of Ukraine. The maximum term of consideration is one year. But usually the representatives of the department cope in a few months.

If everything is done and collected correctly and there are no grounds for refusal, the applicant is issued a certificate stating that he is now considered a citizen of Ukraine. You will need to make a passport based on this document.

Acquisition of citizenship in Ukraine: reasons for refusal

Public authorities have the right to deny citizenship to certain persons. These categories are clearly defined by law. The case of persons who have been convicted:

• for committing crimes against humanity;
• in Ukraine for any crime.

You may also not prove your citizenship. But the most common refusal occurs after an incorrectly written application and incorrectly collected package of documents.

Procedure for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by birth

This right is enshrined in the Law on Citizenship. A person can obtain citizenship according to the following criteria if:

• one or two parents had citizenship;
• the person was born in the country, and the parents lived here legally;
• the person was born in another country, but the parents lived in its territory;
• the person was born in our territory, the parents (citizens of another country) lived in Ukraine, but the child did
• not become a citizen as one of the parents.

An exhaustive list of items on which a person can become a citizen of our country by birth can be found in the Law.

Obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by a child is carried out in the nearest unit of the State Migration Service. You need to present:

• copy of passport;
• the original document on the place of registration;
• Birth Certificate;
• a copy of a document confirming the citizenship of one of the parents or significant circumstances that allowed
• the parents to be in the country with legal rights at the time of birth;
• declaration of non-citizenship of another state;
• if necessary – a refugee certificate.

You also need to write a standard statement.

Peculiarities of acquiring citizenship as a result of recognition of paternity or maternity

There is a situation when one of the parents has the citizenship of Ukraine, and the other is a person without this status. In this case, the child can become a local citizen only by father or mother. And such acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine is carried out only through the court. You need to collect documents:

• copies and original of the passport;
• documents proving residence in a certain country;
• copies of documents of the other parent without citizenship of Ukraine;
• the court decision on the basis of which the establishment of paternity or maternity was made;
• child’s birth certificate;
• two photos measuring 3.5×4.5.

Children between the ages of 14 and 18 must write a statement agreeing to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. A notarized translation into the state language is also attached to the entire package.

How to obtain citizenship in a simplified manner?

If a person lived in the country before Ukraine gained independence, he has the right to obtain citizenship under a simplified procedure. This category also includes people whose at least one relative had citizenship until mid-1991.

You will need to collect a specific package of documents:

• passport;
• birth certificate issued in the country (yours or a relative);
• documentation of family ties;
• certificate of non-citizenship of another country.

Each document must be translated into Ukrainian and notarized.

* Documents indicating family ties are evidence of:

• birth;
• marriage;
• change of surname.

If any documents have been lost, the procedure is complicated.

The simplified procedure also includes obtaining Ukrainian citizenship through marriage. But in this case, you will have a slightly different procedure for submitting documents.

How to renew citizenship?

Some people may lose their citizenship for some reason. It can be renewed by a simplified procedure. But situations are different. Therefore, only qualified lawyers from our company will tell you how to act in a particular case. We advise you to contact them as soon as possible.

Can they refuse to obtain Ukrainian citizenship by territorial origin?

Of course they can. The law specifies a list of such circumstances. Example:

1. Incorrect documentation.
2. You do not have the right to citizenship.
3. You have been convicted of a crime against humanity.
4. You have an outstanding or unresolved criminal record for serious or especially serious crimes in Ukraine o rabroad.

Some people may have lost their citizenship at one time because they obtained it by deception. From all this list, only people who have submitted documents incorrectly can become a citizen of Ukraine.

How to get a certificate of citizenship of the child?

Such documentation is an integral part of proof of citizenship. The fact is that the birth certificate will not provide such information. It indicates only the fact of birth.

Usually, such a certificate is issued in cases where:

• one of the parents is Ukrainian and the other is a foreigner or a stateless person;
• mother and father are foreigners.

The procedure for obtaining help includes collecting copies:

• birth certificates;
• passport of a citizen of Ukraine, if any;
• parents’ foreign passports;
• certificates of foreign citizenship.

You will also need to take two photos of a child over 5 years old. Their size is 3