How Your Ancestry Can Give You Ukrainian Citizenship

Ukraine has been in the headlines for over a year now due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has resulted in many casualties and displacement of people. Despite the turmoil, Ukraine remains a beautiful country with a rich history and culture that has attracted many individuals to explore their Ukrainian roots and pursue Ukrainian citizenship by descent.

Citizenship by descent allows individuals to acquire citizenship based on the citizenship of their ancestors, which can be a valuable asset for those seeking to strengthen their ties to their ancestral homeland. In the case of Ukraine, you may be eligible for citizenship if you can prove your Ukrainian ancestry, even if you were born outside of Ukraine.

With Ukraine's current state of affairs, some may wonder why anyone would consider getting Ukrainian citizenship. However, there are still several reasons why you should pursue this option. This includes the ability to work and travel freely within the European Union and the opportunity to participate in the country's political and social life.

This article will explore the eligibility requirements for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by descent, the benefits of holding Ukrainian citizenship, and the challenges and considerations that come with pursuing this option amid a conflict.

If you have Ukrainian parents, you most likely already hold Ukrainian citizenship

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?

While the nations that provide citizenship by descent may seem to want everyone to come over and reclaim their citizenship, the truth is a bit different. Since the procedure is usually inexpensive, government personnel are unlikely to bend over backwards to give you citizenship.

As a result, you must construct a watertight case for yourself; the weight of evidence for your claim to Ukrainian citizenship rests entirely on your shoulders (or the shoulders of the professionals you've engaged to assist you).

To demonstrate your eligibility, you must have at least one individual who is connected to Ukraine:

• A Ukrainian parent who was born or lived continuously in Ukraine before August 24, 1991;
• A Ukrainian grandparent who was born or lived continuously in Ukraine before August 24, 1991;
• A sibling (or half-sibling) born or living in Ukraine before August 24, 1991;
• A child born or lived continuously in Ukraine before August 24, 1991.

It is usually easier to build the case for Ukrainian citizenship if you produced your ancestors' documents after 1917. Before that time, paper records were simply not kept. If you have Ukrainian parents, you most likely already hold Ukrainian citizenship.

Between 1917 and 1945, the documentation was usually accessible at your relative's birthplace and/or residence. As a result, you or your hired help will need to visit that location and look through the local archives or church archives. This will add time to the whole application process.

You're lucky if your ancestor was born in 1945 or after. Following that date, record keeping was better and consolidated as feasible. Do you have a relative born after 1945? Then you must examine the major civil actions register or the national archives.

Related content: Romanian Citizenship By Descent - A Country With Deep Heritage

In comparison to other citizenship-by-descent processes, Ukraine handles its cases very swiftly

THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

You'll need to apply when you've established your eligibility. This may be done in Ukraine or at a Ukrainian embassy or consulate near you. In comparison to other citizenship-by-descent processes, Ukraine handles its cases very swiftly. You should be able to receive your passport in less than a year.

To apply, you must provide the following documents:

• An application for Ukrainian citizenship based on ancestry;
• Your valid Passport;
• Eight coloured passport photos;
• Documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and so on) verifying your parent's, grandparent's, sibling's, or child's birth or permanent residence in Ukraine;
• Proof of family links to the relative in question;
• A clean criminal record from your current country of residence;
• A request for the registration of your residence in Ukraine.

To be approved, any papers that are not in Ukrainian must be apostilled, translated, and properly notarized.

HOW LONG DOES THE DOCUMENT PROCESSING TAKE?

The Migration Service typically takes around 90 days to consider an application for obtaining citizenship by descent. When the Migration Service has reached a favourable decision in the case, the applicant must also request the issuing of a certificate of registration as a Ukrainian citizen. A certificate of this type is given within ten working days.

To cancel your foreign citizenship, you have two years from the decision to grant Ukrainian citizenship

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP IN UKRAINE?

Ukraine is one of only about 26 countries that prohibits dual citizenship. Dual citizenship (citizenship of Ukraine and one or more foreign countries) is prohibited under Ukrainian law. In legal relations, a person with several citizenships, one of which is Ukrainian, is considered solely a Ukrainian citizen.

WHEN IS IT REQUIRED TO RELINQUISH ONE'S PRESENT CITIZENSHIP?

The commencement of the process of terminating foreign citizenship is contingent upon the Migration Service of Ukraine's approval of granting citizenship and the issuance of the necessary certificate and temporary certificate of Ukrainian citizenship. Once you obtain temporary Ukrainian citizenship, you have a two-year window to withdraw from your foreign citizenship by submitting the relevant documentation to the Migration Office. Please do so within two years to avoid the forfeiture of your Ukrainian citizenship, with no possibility of reapplying.

WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO GET A PASSPORT AS A UKRAINIAN CITIZEN?

It is only possible to get a Ukrainian passport if the Migration Service has provided you with a certificate stating that the certificate was issued for registering a Ukrainian passport.

Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency

Nonetheless, several legal methods exist to avoid the legislation, and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians possess dual citizenship

THE BENEFITS OF UKRAINIAN CITIZENSHIP

Obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by descent can offer several benefits. First, it allows you to live and work in Ukraine without needing a visa or work permit. This can be particularly advantageous if you wish to invest in the country or start a business there. Second, Ukrainian citizens can travel to the European Union (EU) member countries without needing a visa, as Ukraine has a visa-free agreement with the EU. This can be beneficial if you wish to travel or work within the EU. As a Ukrainian citizen, you are also eligible to receive various social benefits, such as healthcare and education, and can participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections. Finally, having Ukrainian citizenship can provide you with a sense of connection to your cultural heritage and family history, as well as a potential avenue for exploring and maintaining ties with Ukraine and its people.

A POTENTIAL DRAWBACK OF UKRAINIAN CITIZENSHIP

As discussed earlier, dual citizenship is not allowed in Ukraine, making it a significant disadvantage for those seeking to apply for Ukrainian citizenship by descent. This means that if you become a Ukrainian citizen, you cannot simultaneously hold citizenship from another country. Although there are legal ways to obtain dual citizenship in Ukraine, it can be a complex and uncertain process. Moreover, even if you do obtain dual citizenship, you may not be recognized as a citizen of your other country within the territory of Ukraine. This can create difficulties when it comes to receiving diplomatic assistance from the embassy of your other country.

Related content: The Pathway To Norwegian Citizenship By Descent

If you're interested, obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by ancestry won't cost a lot of money or effort

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ukrainian citizenship may not be as desirable as some of the other descent-based citizenships, as it lacks two essential components: dual citizenship and EU membership

Concerning EU membership, Ukraine filed for EU membership in February 2022 and was awarded EU candidate status in June 2022. The Council will decide on further measures after Ukraine has met the requirements listed in the European Commission's judgment on its EU membership application. As a result, there is optimism that Ukraine may eventually join the European Union.

Ukraine has fantastic investment opportunities, and living in Ukraine is relatively high-quality and inexpensive. If you are interested, obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by ancestry will cost you little money or effort.

We can assist you with the documentation needs and the full application procedure. All you have to do now is contact us, and we'll get started.