Citizenship of Ukraine by descent, also known as citizenship based on territorial origin, is often called repatriation, meaning ‘return to the homeland.’ Many countries worldwide allow this method of obtaining citizenship for individuals with ancestral ties to their country or a specific territory, and Ukraine is no exception.
The process of obtaining citizenship based on territorial origin follows a simplified procedure, making it quick and easy to acquire Ukrainian citizenship.
Who Can Obtain Citizenship of Ukraine by Descent?
The regulation of obtaining citizenship of Ukraine by descent is governed by Article 8 of the Ukrainian Law on Citizenship, specifically the “Acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine by territorial origin.” According to this article, the right to obtain citizenship is granted to:
- Foreigners or stateless persons if they themselves or at least one of their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or siblings (both full and half-siblings) were born or permanently resided before August 24, 1991, on the territory that became part of Ukraine.
- The same categories of individuals born or permanently residing in the territories that were part of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, West Ukrainian People’s Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic, Zakarpattia Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) at the time of their birth/residence.
- Additionally, minor children of the mentioned categories of persons are also eligible.
Advantages of Obtaining Citizenship of Ukraine by Descent
- Quick Application Processing: The application is processed within three months, which, in some cases, may extend by a few additional months, but this is incomparable to the processing time for citizenship applications under Article 9 of the Law on Ukrainian Citizenship, where some individuals wait for 5-6 years.
- No Language and Constitution Knowledge Exams: There is no requirement to pass exams on proficiency in the Ukrainian language, knowledge of the constitution, or Ukrainian history.
- No Financial Support Requirement in Ukraine.
- No Need for Immigration Permit to Ukraine (except for certain exceptions).
Required Documents for Applying for Ukrainian Citizenship by Descent
To apply, it is necessary to prove that either you or one of your relatives was born or permanently resided in the territory that became Ukraine. The most common scenario is when a grandparent was born in the territory now part of Ukraine. In this case, the following documents are required:
- Original birth certificate of your grandmother/grandfather.
- Original birth certificate of your mother or father.
- Your birth certificate.
These documents form the basis of the application. Additionally, you will need to prove your place of residence in Ukraine, confirm your foreign address, and provide other documents depending on the specific case.
Frequently, documents are lost, requiring searches through regional and local archives, investigating records in the Register of Acts of Civil Status (RACS), or even establishing the fact of birth or residence through court proceedings.
The variety of documents for confirmation can be extensive, so professional assistance from a migration lawyer is crucial in these cases.
Next Steps
Upon a positive decision on your case, you will be issued a certificate of registration as a Ukrainian citizen, which serves as the basis for obtaining a temporary Ukrainian citizen ID valid for two years. Within these two years, you must renounce your previous citizenship (as of the time of writing this article, a law allowing multiple citizenships has not been enacted, and foreigners applying for Ukrainian citizenship must submit an obligation to renounce their current citizenship).
Only after completing these steps you can apply for an internal passport of a citizen of Ukraine and a Ukrainian passport for travel abroad.
Conclusion
Obtaining citizenship by descent is the fastest way to become a citizen of Ukraine. If you have Ukrainian roots and wish to obtain a Ukrainian passport, this service is particularly relevant for citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus who seek to break ties with their home countries and align themselves with Ukraine.
If you wish to obtain Ukrainian citizenship, search for lost documents proving your Ukrainian roots, or establish the legal fact of birth or residence of your relatives in Ukraine – contact us, and we will be happy to assist you!
