Ukraine Sets Age Requirements for Foreigners Seeking Citizenship, Introduces Two-Year Transition Rule

Ukraine has introduced age-based requirements for foreigners and stateless persons seeking citizenship, outlining who can submit applications and when minors must give personal consent.

The State Migration Service of Ukraine published the guidelines in line with the country’s Citizenship Law and Presidential Decree No. 215 of March 27, 2001.

Under the rules, foreigners and stateless persons aged 18 and above must personally submit their applications for Ukrainian citizenship. Applicants below 18 must have their applications handled by their parents or legal representatives.

However, teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 must personally consent to acquiring Ukrainian citizenship, even though an adult is responsible for submitting the application. This means parents or legal guardians cannot independently obtain citizenship for minors in this age group without their approval.

The guidelines divide minors into two categories. Children below 14 must have applications submitted on their behalf by a parent or legal representative, while those aged 14 to 17 are required to provide personal consent.

Ukraine has also established a two-year transitional arrangement for foreign nationals who already hold citizenship of another country. Applicants seeking Ukrainian citizenship under the procedure must pledge to terminate their existing citizenship within two years of being registered as Ukrainian citizens.

The migration authority explained that applicants who make the required pledge will receive temporary Ukrainian identity cards valid for two years instead of full passports during the transition period.

A Ukrainian passport will be issued after the applicant formally terminates their previous citizenship or submits a written declaration renouncing it, in line with the applicable procedure.

However, stateless persons are exempt from the requirement to pledge to terminate another country’s citizenship and are not subject to the two-year transitional arrangement.

The State Migration Service has advised interested foreigners and stateless persons to familiarise themselves with the relevant legal provisions and documentation requirements before beginning the citizenship application process.

Further details on the application procedure are available through the official website of Ukraine’s State Migration Service.