Ukrainians are allowed to have a second passport: who is eligible and who is not
15 July 21:49
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law on multiple citizenship passed by parliament, which significantly expands opportunities for Ukrainians abroad and foreigners who link their future with Ukraine. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Presidential Office.
The signed law allows Ukrainian citizens to simultaneously hold passports of other countries. For the first time in the country’s history, this possibility is enshrined in law. However, the application of the rule is limited and will be regulated by the government.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is to approve a list of countries whose citizenship will be recognized as acceptable for multiple citizenship. The list will primarily include the European Union member states and other countries that have imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation.
The law also provides that foreign citizens from the countries on the approved list will be able to apply for Ukrainian citizenship. To do so, they will have to pass an exam to test their knowledge of the Ukrainian language, history, and the fundamentals of the Constitution. There are no privileges or exceptions: all candidates will undergo the procedure on the same terms.
This provision should become a new stage of integration into the European space, taking into account the best practices in the field of citizenship, experts say.
A special part of the law is the provision on granting citizenship to foreigners serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Now, one year of military service under martial law is enough to be eligible for a Ukrainian passport.
This step is aimed at recognizing the contribution of foreigners who are defending Ukraine. According to representatives of the President’s Office, the law will also contribute to the formation of a professional international defense legion.
The new citizenship law is not only an internal gesture of support for the Ukrainian diaspora, but also a strategic tool of foreign policy. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have found themselves abroad, where they often obtain other citizenships. The law will allow them to maintain their connection with their homeland without legal restrictions.
In addition, Ukraine is signaling to its allies that it is ready for deeper integration into Euro-Atlantic structures through the harmonization of legislation and the recognition of the multinational nature of modern civil society.
To implement the law, the government needs to approve the official list of countries as soon as possible and develop mechanisms to confirm the exams for those wishing to obtain citizenship. In the coming months, the procedure for submitting relevant applications is expected to be launched.
The signed document may become a watershed in the field of demographic and security policy, as it strengthens Ukraine’s presence abroad and at the same time opens the way for new defenders and allies at home.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
