Status of a Stateless Person (SP) is the official recognition of a person as having no citizenship of any country. In Ukraine, this status gives the right to legally reside, work, receive medical care and social services. Stateless persons can obtain a Temporary Residence Permit and, after three years, apply for Ukrainian citizenship. The status of a Stateless Person also allows them to obtain a travel document for travelling abroad.

Stateless foreigners may seek the status of a Stateless Person (SP) in Ukraine for several reasons:

• Legalisation of their stay in Ukraine. If a person does not have a valid citizenship of any country, he/she may have difficulties staying in Ukraine and travelling between countries. Obtaining the status of a Stateless Person allows you to officially live in the country, work, study and enjoy the rights guaranteed by law, as well as obtain a document for travelling abroad.
• Ability to obtain documents. Many stateless persons are unable to obtain a passport or other identity documents. Ukrainian status of a Stateless Person provides an opportunity to obtain an official document that allows you to travel, work and receive medical and social services.
• Right to temporary residence and citizenship. After obtaining the status of an SP, a person has the right to temporary residence, and later to permanent residence and even Ukrainian citizenship (after three years of residence).
• No opportunity to obtain a citizenship of another country. Some people lose their country's citizenship due to changes in legislation, the collapse of the state, the country's refusal to issue a passport or other legal problems. In this case, the status of an SP gives them the opportunity to have official status and rights.
• Employment and social guarantees. Stateless persons can be officially employed, receive medical care, education and social benefits.
• Opportunity to travel. Ukraine issues stateless persons with a travel document that allows them to travel abroad and return. This is especially important for those who have lost their citizenship of another country and are unable to obtain a passport.

Obtaining the status of an SP in Ukraine is a chance for such people to return to normal life with legal protection and opportunities for development.

The main grounds for recognition person as a Stateless Person are as follows:

• Lack of citizenship of any country.

A person must prove that he/she is not a citizen of any state. This is confirmed by responses from Embassies or official documents indicating the loss of citizenship.

• Inability to obtain documents from another country

If a person cannot restore or obtain the citizenship of another state due to legal or bureaucratic restrictions, this may be grounds for acquiring the status of an SP.

• Lack of valid citizenship documents

If a person has old documents (for example, a 1974 USSR passport) or has lost documents confirming citizenship of another country, he/she may qualify for the status of an SP.

• Lack of citizenship registration after the collapse of the state

People who lived in Ukraine after the collapse of the USSR but did not obtain citizenship of any of the newly formed countries can apply for the status of an SP.

• Birth on the territory of Ukraine or another country without obtaining a citizenship

If a person was born in Ukraine or abroad, but no state has recognised him/her as a citizen, they can be granted the status of an SP.

• Loss of citizenship due to changes in legislation

If a person has lost the citizenship of their country due to legislative changes, for example, as a result of renouncing citizenship without the possibility of obtaining another, he/she can apply for the status of an SP.

• Residing in Ukraine without the possibility of applying for citizenship

Persons who have been living in Ukraine for a long time without documents and cannot prove their affiliation to any country can also apply for the status of an SP.

Main stages of obtaining the status of a Stateless Person (SP) in Ukraine:

In order to obtain the status of a Stateless Person (SP) in Ukraine, you need to go through the procedure established by the State Migration Service (SMS) of Ukraine:

1. Submitting an application: This includes applying to the territorial unit of the State Migration Service at your place of residence with an application for recognition as a Stateless Person.
2. Required documents: Along with the application, please submit available documents proving your identity or confirming the information provided in the application. These may include:

• Identity documents (for example, a 1974-form passport of the former USSR).
• Documents on birth, marriage, and children.
• Documents on study, work, place of residence in Ukraine or another country.
• Certificates from Embassies of foreign countries confirming your statelessness.

In the absence of documents, with your written consent, the State Migration Service may interview at least three people (relatives, neighbours or others) who can confirm the information provided in the application.

1. Consideration of the application: State Migration Service considers the application within six months from the date of submission. If necessary, this period can be extended up to 12 months. For the period of consideration, you are issued a certificate of application for the status of a Stateless Person, which confirms the legality of your stay in Ukraine.
2. State Migration Service decision: After consideration of the application, the State Migration Service decides whether to recognise you as a Stateless Person or to refuse such recognition. In case of a positive decision, you are obliged to apply to the territorial unit of the State Migration Service within 10 days to obtain a Temporary Residence Permit in Ukraine.
3. Further steps: After two years of residence in Ukraine on the basis of a Temporary Residence Permit, you have the right to apply for an Immigration Permit and a Permanent Residence Permit. After three years of continuous residence in Ukraine after being recognised as a Stateless Person, you can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

Following these steps will help you to officially obtain the status of a Stateless Person in Ukraine and ensure the legality of your stay in the country.

If you apply to the Amigro Migration Agency, our migration lawyer will assist in the preparation of all required documents and represent your interests in the migration authorities.

The cost of our services starts from USD 50*. Initial consultation is absolutely free.

Interesting fact:

During 2024 in Ukraine:

• Migration Service received 351 applications for recognition as a Stateless Person.
• 292 decisions were made on the recognition as Stateless Persons in Ukraine.
• 30 persons were denied recognition as Stateless Persons;
• There were issued 195 Identity Cards of Stateless Persons with contactless electronic media for travelling abroad.