Obtaining citizenship of Ukraine by a foreigner is a complex process that involves several stages and depends on the availability of legal grounds.
Main grounds for obtaining citizenship of Ukraine:
- Birth (origin) – if at least one of the child's parents is a citizen of Ukraine or the child was born in Ukraine.
- Territorial origin – if the person (child) was born on the territory of Ukraine after August 24, 1991 or his/her close relatives were born or permanently resided on the territory of Ukraine before August 24, 1991.
- Adoption – if a Ukrainian citizen adopts a foreigner.
- Guardianship or Custodianship – if an under-aged foreigner is under the guardianship of a Ukrainian citizen.
- Recognition as a Stateless Person – if the person is officially recognised as such in Ukraine and has been a Stateless Person for more than 3 years.
- Acquiring citizenship by marriage – after 2 years of marriage to a Ukrainian citizen.
- Naturalisation – provided having resided permanently in Ukraine for at least 5 years, proficiency in Ukrainian language, no criminal record and renunciation of previous citizenship.
- Special services to Ukraine – the decision is made by the President of Ukraine.
Citizenship acquisition process:
- Submitting an application to the State Migration Service (SMS) of Ukraine or a Ukrainian Consulate abroad.
- Compiling a set of documents:
- Passport or other identification document.
- A Certificate of place of residence.
- A document proving knowledge of Ukrainian language (except for persons who provided special services).
- Proof of the grounds for acquiring citizenship (Birth Certificate, Marriage Documents, etc.).
- A Certificate of renunciation of another citizenship (if the country allows dual citizenship, this is not required).
- Consideration of the application – can last up to 1 year.
- Decision by the relevant units of the State Migration Service of Ukraine (the President of Ukraine – in certain cases).
- Obtaining a passport of a citizen of Ukraine – after taking an oath.
Obtaining citizenship of Ukraine is a complex and lengthy process. In addition to legal and bureaucratic difficulties, language barriers often arise, which also complicates the procedure. That is why the best solution is to contact specialists who will help you go through this process quickly and without unnecessary hassle.
Amigro Migration Agency can offer the following services to a foreigner in obtaining citizenship of Ukraine:
- Detailed consultations on obtaining citizenship of Ukraine.
- Legal assistance in obtaining citizenship of Ukraine.
- Submission of an application to the relevant state authorities.
- Full support of the citizenship acquisition procedure.
- Collecting required documents for obtaining citizenship of Ukraine.
- Maximum legal assistance in obtaining a Ukrainian passport quickly and legally.
The cost of our services starts from USD 50*.
Initial consultation is absolutely free.
Interesting fact:
In 2024:
- 6785 persons acquired citizenship of Ukraine by birth;
- 1098 persons acquired citizenship of Ukraine by territorial origin;
- 60 persons were granted citizenship of Ukraine by the Decree of the President of Ukraine;
- 1,325,035 passports of citizens of Ukraine were issued in the form of ID cards.
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What documents are required for an application?
A passport or other identification document, a Certificate of Place of Residence, a document proving knowledge of Ukrainian language, a Certificate of Renunciation of Previous Citizenship, a Certificate of No Criminal Record, a Birth Certificate and other documents are required depending on the grounds for obtaining citizenship.
How long does process of citizenship acquisition take?
The process can take from 2 weeks to 1 year, depending on the specific situation and the availability of all the necessary documents.
Can I obtain citizenship of Ukraine if I have no Ukrainian roots?
Yes, if you have been legally and permanently residing in Ukraine for more than 5 years or have been married to a Ukrainian citizen for more than 3 years, you can apply for citizenship of Ukraine.
Do I have to renounce my previous citizenship?
Ukrainian law provides for the renunciation of another citizenship, but there are legislative exceptions.
Are there any fast-track options for obtaining citizenship of Ukraine?
Yes, there are several simplified ways:
- Marriage to a Ukrainian citizen – after 3 years of marriage, you can apply for citizenship.
- Special Decree of the President – for persons with distinguished services to Ukraine.
- Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine – after 3 years of service.
- Ukrainian origin – if your relatives were citizens of Ukraine, the process may be simplified.
- Adoption or guardianship – for children of foreigners adopted by Ukrainians.
- A child born on the territory of Ukraine, regardless of the citizenship of their parents.
Is there a risk of losing citizenship of Ukraine after obtaining it?
Yes, citizenship of Ukraine may be lost in the following cases:
- Voluntary renunciation of citizenship at the request of a person.
- Acquisition of citizenship of another country (Ukraine does not recognise dual citizenship, except in certain cases).
- Providing false information or forged documents when applying for citizenship.