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.