Granting Ukrainian citizenship to foreign volunteers: Parliament may soon adopt a law
Kyiv • UNN
The Verkhovna Rada is preparing to adopt a bill on granting Ukrainian citizenship to foreigners serving in the Armed Forces and other security agencies. The draft law also provides for a simplified procedure for their family members.
Recently, the Verkhovna Rada plans to adopt in the second reading a bill on granting Ukrainian citizenship to foreigners serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, or the National Guard of Ukraine. This was reported by UNN with reference to the draft agenda of the Verkhovna Rada meeting and the card of the bill No. 9585.
Details
According to the draft law, legal residence on the territory of Ukraine is provided for foreigners who have extended their stay on the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the established procedure, or have a permanent or temporary residence permit on the territory of Ukraine, or have a military ID. Foreigners who are or have been serving under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service or the National Guard of Ukraine will also be able to obtain Ukrainian citizenship.
To do this, you will need to submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship.
According to the draft law, family members of foreigners who have signed a contract to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine will be eligible for a temporary residence permit.
It also provides for the granting of immigration permits or Ukrainian citizenship to those whose passports have expired. This also applies to foreigners and stateless persons who have defended Ukraine.
It is planned to grant the right to obtain a temporary residence permit to family members of people who have signed a contract in the Armed Forces. Citizens of Russia and Belarus who have acquired Ukrainian citizenship since February 24, 2020, must confirm the termination of their previous citizenship after the end of martial law.
People who have served in the Armed Forces and obtained Ukrainian citizenship within two years of the end of martial law must pass exams on the Constitution of Ukraine, history, and confirm their language skills.
Recall
On Thursday, August 15, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the Verkhovna Rada to convene urgently in the near future to consider a defense legislative package, including issues related to, among other things, the regulation of trophy weapons, the citizenship of foreigners fighting in Ukrainian legions, and the deprivation of state awards to traitors.
In May, the Verkhovna Rada supported the draft law in the first reading.
