Russian citizenship 2023-2024

Summary

The video script by Russian attorney Vasili Tarasenko highlights changes in the Russian Citizenship Law No. 138, effective from October 26, 2023. It simplifies procedures for obtaining citizenship and residence, introduces new categories for simplified citizenship, excludes investment-based citizenship, corrects family-based criteria, and adds grounds for revocation. It also addresses the 10-year protection for citizens, multiple citizenship allowances, and streamlined processes for registration and newborn citizenship in transnational families.

Takeaways

• 📜 The new federal law 'On Citizenship of the Russian Federation No. 138', effective from October 26, 2023, has introduced significant changes to the Russian citizenship and residence procedures.
• 🏆 New categories of individuals are now eligible for simplified citizenship procedures, including those with a 'red diploma' from a Russian university and those with direct ancestors who lived in the territory of the former Russian Empire or USSR.
• ❌ Certain categories, such as obtaining citizenship through investment and entrepreneurship, have been excluded from the simplified procedure.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 The law has corrected the criteria for family-based citizenship; it now allows citizenship for foreign nationals with minor children who are Russian citizens, regardless of the duration of marriage.
• 📍 Former USSR citizens who were born or permanently resided in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic can now apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure.
• ❗ Citizenship can be revoked under new grounds, including voluntary renunciation, provision of false information, and threats to national security.
• 🔒 A 10-year grace period has been established where citizenship cannot be revoked for providing false information or invalid documents if the individual has been a citizen for over a decade and has lived in Russia during that time.
• 🚫 More serious crimes, such as banditry, treason, and drug trafficking, can lead to immediate revocation of citizenship, bypassing the 10-year grace period.
• 📋 A new provision requires an inspection before deciding on the revocation of citizenship to prevent loss due to administrative errors.
• 🌐 The concept of 'Multiple Citizenship' has been introduced, allowing individuals with second citizenship to be considered exclusively Russian, with all associated rights and responsibilities.
• 🌐 Dual citizenship with Tajikistan is now expanded to include multiple citizenships, changing the previous rule that acquiring another citizenship resulted in the loss of Russian citizenship.
• 🏠 Foreigners can now register their residential address online through the Gosuslugi web portal, simplifying the process.
• 👶 It is now easier for children of transnational couples to become Russian citizens, as the law allows for citizenship applications with the consent of at least one parent.

Q & A

What significant change did the new federal law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation No. 138 bring into effect on October 26, 2023?

The new federal law introduced changes to the procedure for obtaining temporary and permanent residence and citizenship, which had been in place for over 20 years under the old Law No 62.

How has the list of persons entitled to become Russian citizens under a simplified procedure changed?

The list now includes those who graduated with a red diploma from a Russian university and those with relatives in a direct ascending line who permanently resided in the territory that belonged to the Russian Empire or the USSR.

What categories of people are no longer able to obtain Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure?

It is no longer possible to obtain citizenship through investment and entrepreneurship under the simplified procedure.

What correction was made regarding the citizenship eligibility for foreign nationals with a child who is a Russian citizen?

The new law allows foreign nationals to become citizens even if the child is a minor, whereas the old law required the child to be an adult.

What is the new criterion for foreign nationals married to a Russian citizen to become Russian citizens under a simplified procedure?

The duration of marriage no longer matters; the only important criterion is having a child in the marriage.

How does the new law expand the right to apply for Russian citizenship for those who were citizens of the USSR?

Under the new law, not only those born in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic but also those who permanently resided there have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure.

What are the new grounds for revocation of Russian citizenship?

Citizenship can now be revoked for voluntary renunciation, provision of knowingly false information, threats to national security, use of forged or invalid documents, and other grounds provided by international treaties.

What protection is provided to Russian citizens who obtained their citizenship more than 10 years ago?

If a foreigner has been a Russian citizen for over 10 years, they cannot be stripped of their citizenship due to the discovery of forged or invalid documents or knowingly false information provided during the citizenship application process.

What changes have been made to address issues with citizenship applications being lost or not confirmed?

Before making a decision on revocation of citizenship, an inspection must now be carried out to ensure fairness.

How does the new law treat individuals with multiple citizenships?

The concept of Multiple Citizenship has been introduced, where individuals with second citizenship besides Russian are considered exclusively Russian with all their rights and responsibilities.

What new convenience is provided for foreigners registering at their residential address?

Foreigners can now register themselves at their residential address through the Gosuslugi web portal.

What has been simplified for children born in transnational families to become Russian citizens?

The new law allows for the application of Russian citizenship for a baby if at least one of the parents agrees, removing the previous requirement for the second parent's consent.

Outlines

00:00

📜 New Russian Citizenship Law Overview

Vasili Tarasenko, a Russian attorney, introduces the new federal law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation No. 138, effective from October 26, 2023. The law brings significant changes to the 20-year-old procedure for obtaining temporary and permanent residence and citizenship. It updates the list of individuals eligible for simplified citizenship, including graduates with a red diploma from Russian universities and those with ancestors who lived in the territory of the former Russian Empire or USSR. It excludes certain categories, such as obtaining citizenship through investment or entrepreneurship. The law also corrects provisions regarding citizenship for those married to Russian citizens and those born or residing in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. It introduces new grounds for revocation of citizenship, including voluntary renunciation, provision of false information, and criminal activities that threaten national security, with a 10-year grace period for those who have been citizens for a decade. The law also addresses issues with citizenship establishment and introduces the concept of multiple citizenship, allowing dual citizenship with Tajikistan and considering individuals with additional citizenships as exclusively Russian.

05:01

👶 Simplified Citizenship for Transnational Children

The new law simplifies the process for children born to transnational couples to become Russian citizens. Previously, obtaining citizenship required consent from both parents, which could be challenging if one parent was a foreign national. The updated law allows for a child's citizenship application with the agreement of at least one parent. Additionally, the law addresses the issue of lost or unconfirmed citizenship applications and introduces an inspection process before revoking citizenship. It also facilitates online registration of residence for foreigners and acknowledges the concept of multiple citizenships, ensuring that individuals with dual or multiple citizenships are recognized as Russian citizens with full rights and responsibilities.

Keywords

💡Citizenship

Citizenship refers to the status of a person recognized under the law as being a legal member of a sovereign state or country and subject to that country's jurisdiction. In the context of the video, it discusses the new federal law in Russia that changes the procedure for obtaining citizenship, emphasizing the updated criteria and process for becoming a Russian citizen.

💡Federal Law No. 138

This term refers to the specific legislation in Russia that came into effect on October 26, 2023, which amends the procedures for obtaining citizenship and residence. The video outlines the changes introduced by this law, making it a central focus for understanding the legal updates discussed.

💡Simplified Procedure

A simplified procedure typically denotes a more straightforward or less bureaucratic process for achieving a legal status or outcome. In the script, it is used to describe the changes in the process through which certain individuals can become Russian citizens more easily, such as those with specific qualifications or familial ties.

💡Red Diploma

A 'red diploma' is a term used in Russia to denote a diploma awarded to students who graduate with the highest honors. The video mentions that graduates with a red diploma from a Russian university are now included in the list of those eligible for citizenship under a simplified procedure.

💡Direct Ascending Line

This phrase refers to the direct lineage from a person's ancestors, specifically the line of parents to grandparents and so on. The script indicates that individuals with relatives in the direct ascending line who permanently resided in territories that were part of the Russian Empire or the USSR are now eligible for simplified citizenship.

💡Investment and Entrepreneurship

These terms relate to the act of committing capital to an enterprise or project with an expectation of profit. The video script notes that under the new law, obtaining Russian citizenship through investment and entrepreneurship is no longer possible under a simplified procedure.

💡Criminal Offences

Criminal offences are acts that violate the law and are punishable by the state. The script mentions that certain serious crimes, such as banditry and treason, can result in the revocation of Russian citizenship, highlighting the severity of the offenses and their impact on one's legal status.

💡National Security

National security encompasses the measures taken by a government to protect the country's interests against threats. The video discusses how actions that pose a threat to Russia's national security can lead to the revocation of citizenship, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and compliance with national laws.

💡Dual Citizenship Treaty

A dual citizenship treaty is an agreement between two countries that allows individuals to hold citizenship in both nations simultaneously. The script mentions that Russia has such a treaty with Tajikistan, and the new law expands this concept to allow for multiple citizenships under certain conditions.

💡Gosuslugi Web Portal

Gosuslugi is a Russian government online platform that provides various public services. The video script indicates that foreigners can now register their residential address online through this portal, streamlining the process for obtaining and maintaining legal residency.

💡Transnational Couples

Transnational couples refer to partnerships between individuals of different nationalities. The script explains that the new law facilitates the process for children born to such couples to become Russian citizens, removing the previous requirement for consent from both parents if one is a foreign national.

Highlights

New federal law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation No. 138 came into force on October 26, 2023, introducing changes to the procedure for obtaining residence and citizenship.

The list of persons entitled to become citizens under a simplified procedure has changed, including graduates with a red diploma from a Russian university and those with relatives who resided in the territory of the Russian Empire or the USSR.

Certain categories are excluded from obtaining citizenship under a simplified procedure, such as through investment and entrepreneurship.

The new law corrects the categories for obtaining citizenship, allowing it even if the child is a minor, and not just for those married to a Russian citizen for over three years.

Citizenship can now be revoked on new grounds, including voluntary renunciation, provision of false information, and threats to national security.

A 10-year grace period is introduced where citizenship cannot be revoked due to the discovery of false information or documents provided during the application process.

Additional crimes have been added that can result in the revocation of citizenship, such as banditry, treason, and drug trafficking.

Before revoking citizenship, an inspection must now be carried out to ensure fairness in cases where citizenship was lost due to administrative issues.

The concept of Multiple Citizenship is introduced, allowing individuals with second citizenship besides Russian to be considered exclusively Russian.

Foreigners can now register themselves at their residential address online through the Gosuslugi web portal.

Children born in transnational families can more easily become Russian citizens, with the new law allowing applications if at least one parent agrees.

The new law has made several other changes to the citizenship procedure, offering legal support for those needing assistance in understanding the updates.

Vitali Tarasenko, a Russian attorney, provides legal help for those seeking assistance with the new citizenship law.

The new law allows for citizenship under a simplified procedure for those who have relatives in a direct ascending line who permanently resided in the territory of the Russian Empire or the USSR.

The duration of marriage to a Russian citizen is no longer a criterion for simplified citizenship; the presence of a child in the marriage is the important factor.

Individuals who had citizenship of the USSR and were born or permanently resided in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure.

Citizenship can no longer be revoked based on the provision of false information or invalid documents if the individual has been a Russian citizen for over 10 years and meets other criteria.

Transcripts

Hello, my name s Vasili Tarasenko,  I m a Russian attorney.  

On October 26, 2023, the new federal law On  Citizenship of the Russian Federation No. 138  

came into force. It introduces some changes to  the procedure for getting temporary and permanent  

residence and citizenship that was used in Russia  for more than 20 years (under the old Law No 62).  

What is new? List of persons entitled to become citizens  

under a simplified procedure changed New categories  

For example, this list included those who  graduated with a red diploma from a Russian  

university; as well as those who have relatives  in a direct ascending line who permanently  

resided in the territory that belonged to the  Russian Empire or the USSR (within the state  

border of the Russian Federation). Second one: excluded categories  

For example, it's not possible anymore to obtain  citizenship under a simplified procedure by  

investment and entrepreneurship. Corrected categories  

The Law number 62 allowed getting citizenship  under a simplified procedure if the foreign  

national had an adult child who is  a Russian citizen, while the new law  

allows it even the child's minor. According to the old law, a foreign  

national who had been married to a Russian  citizen for more than 3 years were entitled  

to also become a citizen of Russia under a  simplified procedure. Now, the duration of  

the marriage to a Russian doesn't matter, the only  important criterion is a child in this marriage.  

Previously, those who had citizenship of the USSR  and were born in the Russian Soviet Federative  

Socialist Republic could apply for Russian  citizenship under a simplified procedure.  

Under the new law, not only those who were born  there, but also who permanently resided there  

have this right. Revocation  

Now citizenship can be revoked  on the following grounds:  

Voluntary renunciation of Russian citizenship; Provision of knowingly false information  

resulting in the commission of a crime, or  expressed in actions that create a threat  

to the national security of Russia; Establishing of the fact that forged  

or invalid documents were provided or  knowingly false information was reported,  

on the basis of which a decision on citizenship  was made (we'll talk about this clause later);  

And other grounds provided for  by international treaties.  

Beginning from October 26, if 10 years passed from  the date the foreigner became a Russian citizen,  

he can't be stripped of it due to establishing  of the fact that forged or invalid documents  

were provided or knowingly false information  was reported, on the basis of which a decision  

on citizenship was made . That is, for  example, if a court found out the fact  

the applicant hadn't indicated his relatives  in the application, but the person was granted  

citizenship more than 10 years ago, and there  aren't any other grounds to deprive of it, and,  

which is important, he lived in Russia within  that period, he'll remain Russian citizenship.  

More crimes resulting in  revocation of citizenship  

In particular, in the list there appeared  banditry, discrediting the armed forces,  

organizing mass riots, treason, drug trafficking,  and committing actions that pose a threat to the  

national security of the Russian Federation .  Note that in case of such criminal offences,  

the above 10 year period isn't applicable. Citizenship will be established  

under approved procedure It used to be often the case  

that a person who obtained Russian citizenship  very long ago lost it because, for instance,  

the citizenship application was lost in the  Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the registration  

at a certain address as of August, 2001 wasn't  confirmed. Many people found it unfair. Now,  

before making a decision on revocation of  citizenship, an inspection must be carried out.  

Multiple citizenship In Russian legislation,  

there was allowed dual citizenship, however,  Russia concluded a Dual Citizenship Treaty  

with Tajikistan only. Beginning from October  26, the government has introduced the concept  

of Multiple Citizenship, if a person has second  citizenship besides Russian. Such individuals  

are considered as exclusively Russians, with all  their rights and responsibilities. Before that,  

the fact a person became a citizen of another  country (not Tajikistan) resulted in him losing  

Russian citizenship. Note that dual and multiple  are different things, in the first case, the  

individual pays taxes and does military service  only in his country of permanent residence.  

Registration at residential address online Pursuant to the new law, foreigners can  

register themselves at their residential  address through Gosuslugi web portal.  

Newborns from transnational couples Now it is easier for children born in  

transnational families to become citizens of  our country. Before that, it was required to  

get the second parent s consent, who was a foreign  national, which was sometimes impossible. The new  

law allows applying for Russian citizenship for  a baby if at least one of the parents agrees.  

There are other changes in the law, but I can't  cover them all in one video. If necessary,  

you can reach out to me to seek legal  help. My name s Vasili Tarasenko, bye!