The migration legislation of Russia and Belarus does not prohibit obtaining a second and subsequent citizenship. To do this, you must have lived in a foreign country for at least 5 years with a residence permit. An agreement has been signed between Russia and Belarus, according to which it is possible to obtain a second citizenship in a simplified manner.
Is dual citizenship Russia-Belarus possible?
Dual citizenship (bipatrism) is a person's belonging to two countries at once, the opportunity to enjoy rights and privileges in each of the powers. When settling legal issues, a bipatride can seek help and protection from each of the countries that consider a person as their subject.
Such an opportunity appears in the case when two states have entered into an appropriate agreement.
The Russian Federation has concluded such an international agreement only with the Republic of Tajikistan. If special documents have not been signed, then the additional citizenship is called the second. Belarus has not signed agreements on dual citizenship (DG).
If one of the parents is Belarusian and the other is Russian, then at birth the child can receive dual citizenship. At birth on the territory of the Russian Federation, such a child automatically becomes a Russian and a Belarusian.
According to the law of the Republic of Belarus, the location of children at the time of birth does not affect their affiliation. Persons born in Belarus become its citizens. If one of the parents is Russian, then the child is also granted Russian citizenship.
Upon reaching the age of 18 it is necessary to decide which country to stay as a citizen. Russian law provides 5 year term to purchase a passport of the Russian Federation. In practice, it turns out to bypass the law and keep both affiliations.
What problems await a person with dual citizenship Russia - Belarus:
- The obligation to carry out military service in two countries at once;
- Obligation to pay taxes and duties to the budgets of countries.
Is it possible to obtain a second citizenship for Belarusians and Russians
Plurality differs from DG in that, legally, a person is only a citizen of his native country and all legal issues can be resolved only there. The migration legislation of Russia and Belarus does not prohibit the issuance of a second identity document.
Belarusians with Russian passports can live in Russia, get a job without special permits, buy and sell real estate. But at the same time, from a legal point of view, such a person is exclusively a citizen of the Republic of Belarus.
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A foreigner who decides to obtain a Belarusian passport must write a waiver of the previous citizenship. If the person does not issue a refusal, then he will be able to live in the Republic of Belarus only with a residence permit.
Citizens of Russia or Belarus who have foreign citizenship or residence permit cannot:
- Hold some government posts;
- Be members of election commissions with a leading vote.
Under the agreement of 1999 between the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, a simplified method of acquiring citizenship of these countries was introduced for all members of the applicant's family.
How to apply for Russian citizenship
The grounds and nuances of issuing and refusing a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation are set out in the Federal Law of 2002 No. 62-FZ.
You can get acquainted with the requirements on the website of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
| Procedure | |
| General scheme | Simplified diagram |
| Enter the territory of the Russian Federation | Enter the RF |
| Register for migration | Register for migration |
| Issue a RVP | Get RVP |
| Obtain a residence permit (after a year of residence for a temporary residence permit) | Apply for a residence permit (issued only one year after receiving a TRP) |
| Live in the Russian Federation for 5 years | Submit an application for the granting of citizenship to the Russian Federation to the department of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs |
| Apply to the nearest department of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for admission to citizenship | Swear in and receive a passport |
| Take the oath and receive a Russian passport | |
A simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship is available:
- Residents of the former USSR;
- Spouses, children and parents of a Russian;
- For persons doing business in Russia more than 3 years;
- Investors;
- Adopted children;
- WWII veterans;
- Young scientists educated in Russian universities.
Requirements for persons registering Russian affiliation:
- Age from 18 years old;
- Knowledge of the Russian language;
- Residence with a residence permit more than 5 years (except for the categories falling under the simplified scheme);
- No outstanding convictions;
- Lack of serious illnesses;
- Availability of funds sufficient to live in the country (except for persons falling under the simplified scheme).
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A citizen of the Republic of Belarus wishing to issue a passport of the Russian Federation prepares a number of documents:
- A copy of a notary-certified statement of intention to renounce Belarusian citizenship (submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Russia);
- Completed application;
- Written autobiography;
- Passport;
- Certificates (of marriage, birth);
- Photos 35x45;
- Certificate of payment of the fee.
Papers are handed over to the Main Department of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Average processing time is 6 months.
Important! The embassy of Belarus often proposes to keep the native citizenship. There is no punishment for having two passports.
How to apply for Belarusian citizenship
Russians wishing to obtain a Belarusian passport are subject to a simplified procedure for registration. It is necessary to submit a package of papers to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
Requirements for applicants:
- Knowledge of the Belarusian language;
- No previous convictions;
- Lack of serious illnesses;
- Legal residence in the country more than 1 year.
List of documents:
- Completed application form for granting status;
- A copy of the application for renouncing Russian citizenship;
- Photos 35x45;
- The passport;
- Written autobiography;
- Resident card;
- Photocopy of certificates (marriage, birth);
- Statement of income;
- Receipt of payment of the duty.
The average time for consideration of an application is 3-6 months.
How to refuse a passport
When submitting documents for Russian citizenship, the migration service will be required to refuse from the existing passport. A photocopy of the application submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus is accepted.
To refuse citizenship of your native country, you must fulfill a number of conditions:
- Contact the consulate for clarification of the regulations and write a statement;
- Pay off debts to financial organizations, tax service, pay fines;
- Check out from the place of permanent registration;
- Not have a valid contract in the Armed Forces;
- Have a residence permit of a foreign state.
The average time for consideration of a case is up to 1 year.
You can refuse a passport in the Russian Federation at the nearest department of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, by writing a corresponding application. For Russians, there is a general and simplified procedure for submitting papers. Those living abroad apply to the diplomatic department of the Russian Federation.
Responsibility and consequences
Each country has its own characteristics.
For Russians
Since December 2014, Russian migration legislation has established requirements for its citizens who have a residence permit, permanent residence or a passport of a foreign state. Up to 1 month after entering the Russian Federation, you must submit a notification to the territorial department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about your status. You can contact a migration specialist in person or with the help of a second person who has a power of attorney certified by a notary.
It will not work to send a letter from abroad or via e-mail.
Evasion of filing a notification faces administrative or criminal liability:
- Fine - from 500 to 1000 rubles;
- Ban on entry to Russia;
- Deportation.
For Belarusians
Criminal and administrative liability for Belarusians for hiding a foreign passport, residence permit or permanent residence is not provided.
In the case of obtaining a passport or residence permit of another country for evading military service, the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus provides for liability in the form of imprisonment up to 2 years (Article 435).
Since 2017, the databases of the border troops of Russia and Belarus have been merged. Therefore, it will not work to evade paying fines, military service, convictions and other offenses by moving to a neighboring country for permanent residence. Such persons are prohibited from leaving the country.
The migration legislation of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus does not limit citizens' ability to have a second citizenship. There are no penalties for multiple affiliation, provided the relevant services are notified. Practice shows that more and more citizens of Russia and Belarus are applying for two citizenships with the opportunity to return to their homeland.
