How to obtain Belarusian citizenship for a Russian in 2021

Features of Belarusian citizenship

Living and working in Belarus does not require significant bureaucratic actions from Russians. All you need is registration, that is, renting or buying a home. But before you obtain Belarusian citizenship, you should carefully weigh all the pros and cons of such a decision. The country does have a number of certain advantages for living.

So, on the territory of the country:

there is no language barrier for Russians. There is no need to learn a foreign language; Russian is one of the most common languages for communication;
very friendly attitude towards visitors. Belarusians are known for their friendliness and hospitality far beyond the borders of their native country. Citizens live in harmony and friendship;
high level of improvement of public places, roads and streets;
developed rural areas. Unlike some regions of Russia, in the Republic of Belarus villages and villages are thriving, which can attract agricultural specialists or simply lovers of outdoor life;
quite cheap housing compared to Russian prices;
quality medical services. Moreover, this also means free medicine, as well as the availability of necessary medications in pharmacies;
there is practically no corruption;
The food industry is well developed, food in Belarus is of high quality and tasty.

And the disadvantages include:

poorly developed service sector;
very difficult conditions for doing business;
low level of salaries;
unstable economic situation.

The procedure for considering a request for citizenship of a neighboring country also has its own peculiarities.

The final decision on citizenship is made personally by the President of the Republic.
The stages of obtaining citizenship are quite lengthy and will require quite a financial investment.

Obtaining citizenship of Belarus is regulated by Law 136-Z of August 1, 2002 “On Citizenship of the Republic of Belarus”

Also, thanks to the concluded quadripartite agreement between Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation, residents of the Russian Federation can acquire citizenship in a simplified manner. This applies to the following categories of citizens:

if the citizen was born or once lived in the vastness of the country of Belarus before December 21, 1991;
if he has a close relative living in the Republic of Belarus.

Ways to obtain citizenship

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Belarusian national costumes

In accordance with Belarusian legislation, citizenship of Belarus by citizens of the Russian Federation can be acquired:

by birth;
in general order;
in order of registration;
on other grounds provided by law.

The president of the country decides whether to extradite him or not.

Mandatory requirements for those wishing to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Belarus

The applicant must:

reach the age of majority;
observe and respect the Constitution of the country and its laws;
know one of the official languages at the level necessary for communication;
reside in the country for seven years continuously (it is allowed to travel outside the country for no more than three months during the last seven years);
have an official source of income that will provide him and his dependents with a standard of living not lower than the subsistence level;
do not have citizenship or apply to the relevant authority with an application for its termination.

The Constitution of Belarus was adopted on March 15, 1994

Acquiring citizenship by birth

A child can become a citizen of the Republic of Belarus by birth if:

if one of his parents is a citizen of the Republic of Belarus, regardless of the child’s place of birth;
the child was born on the territory of the country to parents (parents) who permanently reside in the Republic of Belarus but do not have citizenship;
the child was born in Belarus to foreigners permanently residing in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, but due to certain circumstances he cannot be assigned the citizenship of the country of his parents,
his parents are unknown, and he lives in the country.

This method, with the exception of obtaining citizenship for a child of foreign citizens, does not require registration.

Acceptance of citizenship according to the general procedure

In general, those who have reached the age of majority and have lived on Belarusian soil for at least 7 years can become citizens of the Republic of Belarus. This opportunity is also provided to refugees who have the appropriate official status and a seven-year period of residence.

Simplified scheme for Belarusian citizenship

According to a simplified scheme, which reduces the mandatory seven-year period of residence in the country or does not apply at all, the following can become citizens of the Republic of Belarus:

ethnic Belarusians and their blood relatives in a direct line: children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren who were born outside of modern Belarus;
persons who previously had citizenship of this country;
those who have distinguished themselves by outstanding services to the Republic of Belarus in the field of science, technology, culture and sports, and qualified specialists representing state interest.

The period for reviewing documents is 2 months.

What is required from candidates

Those who want to be a citizen of Belarus must fulfill the following conditions:

be over 18 years of age;
live in the country for more than 7 years. Moreover, leaving the Republic during this entire time is allowed for a period of no longer than three months;
know the content of the basic laws and the Constitution of the State;
be fluent in the Belarusian language;
prove your financial viability and ability to support yourself while living in the country.

What are the grounds for obtaining citizenship?

Any resident of Russia, subject to the necessary conditions, can make their dreams of citizenship of the Republic of Belarus come true in practice. As defined by law, in order to obtain citizenship of the country of Belarus, you only need to provide the necessary package of documents and go through the full registration procedure.

Marriage

Officially registered family relationships with a Belarusian do not automatically acquire citizenship. Persons married to a representative of Belarus can become its citizens according to a simpler scheme.

Not required:

confirm your knowledge of the language;
indicate the amount of legal income.

In addition, it is possible to reduce the minimum period of residence in the country. Also, those who marry a citizen of the Republic receive the right to acquire a residence permit.

Birth in the country

By right of birth, citizenship of the Republic of Belarus is accepted if:

the parents are subjects of that country;
The mother or father does not have Belarusian citizenship, but the child was born within the state;
the only parent is a resident of Belarus, but a citizen of another country and the state of the parent has refused to protect the newborn.

If a foreign citizen was born in Belarus before November 1991 and can prove this, he is entitled to a simplified citizenship procedure.

Also, Belarusian citizenship can be granted to children whose parents’ nationality is unknown.

Stages on the path to citizenship of Belarus

To obtain Belarusian citizenship, residents of Ukraine must go a long way. Upon arrival, foreign citizens will be required to register a residence permit. The residence permit is granted for 2 years with the right of extension. The maximum extension period is 5 years, which will allow you to obtain permanent residence and purchase a Belarusian passport. The period for consideration of an application for resident status is no more than 30 days.

Only those Ukrainians who have housing in the country can obtain a residence permit. Registration at the place of residence can be carried out in a rented apartment, with relatives or in your own home. The cost of registration is two basic amounts.

Today, many of the Ukrainian citizens living in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions come to the Republic of Belarus with the status of refugees. Registration of permanent residence of these citizens is carried out according to a simplified, preferential scheme. This category of Ukrainians can count on exemption from paying:

state tax for temporary residence permits and permanent residence;
medical examination.

They also have the opportunity to obtain citizenship based on a limited package of documents that they have. Issues regarding foreign citizens wishing to become an equal member of Belarusian society are considered by the country's internal affairs bodies.

The country's government is pursuing an active policy to restore the balance of the population. Foreigners who want to obtain Belarusian permanent residence and state citizenship can resolve this situation.

Other ways to gain status

Acceptance of citizenship of a country through registration is possible for the following applicants:

living in the country before November 12, 1991;
under 18 years of age living in the Republic of Belarus, and if one of the parents is a resident of this country;
if there is a marriage partner who has acquired citizenship through registration;
there is a direct relative who also used the registration for his citizenship.

Also, through registration, children can become citizens of Belarus in the following cases:

loss of parents;
deprivation of mother and father of parental rights;
parental abandonment of a minor child;
placement in a foster family;
establishing the incapacity of parents.

Adopting a child

Citizenship of the country of Belarus for little Russians who have received a new family has a number of features. If citizens of the Republic of Belarus become adoptive parents of a child from the Russian Federation, the latter automatically receives citizenship. In the case where only one of the parents is a citizen of the Republic, the adopted child can obtain citizenship only if the second spouse has no objections.

To obtain citizenship for a child, it is enough to submit the following documents to the services dealing with migration issues:

birth certificate;
adoption document;
passports or other documents confirming the citizenship of the parents;
resident card.

Agreement with other countries

The Republic of Belarus has several agreements with other states - with Kazakhstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan and so on. According to them, residents of another state can obtain citizenship of the country according to a simplified scheme. The following are eligible for this:

those who lived in the Republic during the existence of the USSR;
if you have relatives, they are native Belarusians.

Applicants for citizenship must provide documents, the main of which are:

confirmation of birth and life in the Soviet version of the country before 1991;
evidence of relationship with citizens of the Republic of Belarus;
three photos 3x4 cm;
removal from previous migration registration.

How to obtain Belarusian citizenship for a Russian citizen - registration methods

Among the advantages of living in Belarus, many highlight the mentality of the local residents. Almost all of them are very kind, friendly, hospitable, and always ready to help. Unlike other countries, there is no language barrier, and if someone wants to speak Belarusian, it is easy to understand.

You can also acquire Belarusian citizenship using a simplified scheme. The Migration Department reviews such applications every 2 months. How can a Russian citizen obtain Belarusian citizenship? There are preferential categories that have the right to receive it according to a simplified scheme. But remember, having grounds for acquiring citizenship does not guarantee a positive result.

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Registration process

The initial step in obtaining citizenship of the country of Belarus should be the acquisition of a residence permit. To obtain it, you should contact the internal affairs bodies of the Republic with a corresponding petition.

For residents of the Russian Federation, the rules for obtaining a residence permit have been simplified, and the grounds for its issuance include:

marriage with a representative of the Republic;
family reunion.

Foreigners with high professional skills, cultural and artistic figures, and high-level experts can also apply for a residence permit. This is due to the fact that the state seeks to attract potential citizens who could work for its prosperity and strengthening.

Businessmen who have made significant investments in the country's budget also have the opportunity to obtain a residence permit.

Required documents

If all the conditions necessary for the right to obtain citizenship are met, you can then submit the necessary documents. They are provided to the migration service under the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs. If the applicant is not within the borders of the Republic of Belarus, documents can be submitted to the country’s Consulate.

You will need to provide the following official documents.

Application form, the form of which is located on the website of the country's Consulate.
Passport or other identification document.
Detailed autobiography.
A copy of the birth certificate.
Upon marriage or divorce - copies of civil registry office certificates.
Six photographs 3.5x4.5 cm.
Documents confirming the availability of finances for self-sufficiency.
Confirmation of another state about the termination of citizenship. Or, if this is not possible, an official explanation of the reasons.
If the applicant is over 14 years old - a certificate of no criminal record.
Receipt for payment of duty.

Depending on personal circumstances, additional documents may be required, the full list of which must be clarified with the migration service employees.

The following requirements apply to the collected papers:

compliance with the filling form;
no corrections or damage;
copies certified by a notary;
all papers have been translated into Belarusian;
three copies must be attached to the originals;
application, questionnaire and autobiography - in triplicate.

How long does it take to process an application?

To consider an application for citizenship of the Republic of Belarus and make an official decision, government authorities have a clearly designated time.

During the registration procedure, documents must be reviewed two months in advance. In other cases, the duration of bureaucratic procedures should not exceed a year. However, for Russians the period for acquiring citizenship of Belarus is set at 30 days.

Registration cost

For the work of officials, you need to pay a state duty - 24.5 Belarusian rubles or, taking into account the exchange rate as of June 2021, a little more than 10 euros.

If a person who is not in the Republic applies for citizenship, additional expenses will be required, since in this case the papers are provided to the Consulate employees. The consular fee for advancing an application for citizenship of the Republic of Belarus is 70 euros.

List of documents for obtaining Belarusian citizenship

Obtaining citizenship is a serious step, and therefore a lot of documents are required for this procedure. To be prepared:

Application (standard form).
Application form (you must provide all the information about yourself as accurately as possible and answer the proposed questions honestly, since if you provide erroneous or deliberately false information, citizenship will be denied);
A copy of a valid foreign passport (this may not be provided to refugees);
Certificate of no criminal record in their home country (for candidates over 14 years of age);
A copy of a residence permit issued by the country's authorities for 5 years (read on the topic: How to obtain a residence permit in Belarus). There is an important feature here: the first time a residence permit is issued for 2 years. But this document is not enough to obtain citizenship. Therefore, after 2 years, the migrant issues a new residence permit for 5 years, a copy of which is required to obtain a Belarusian passport (but, according to the amendments, it will be possible to submit an application only after 5 years of continuous stay in the country).
A medical certificate stating that the applicant has no more socially dangerous diseases.
6 photographs measuring 40*50 mm, which must be on one sheet.
Permission to reside in a specific locality in Belarus.
A receipt confirming payment of the state duty.

In some cases, additional documents will be required, for example, a marriage registration certificate, a diploma (confirming Belarusian education), evidence of refugee status, etc.

Who can be refused

All conditions have been created for Russians wishing to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Belarus. The country has friendly relations with the Russian Federation and has a positive attitude towards new citizens from Russia; state policy defines their advantages in bureaucratic procedures. But there are a number of reasons for denial of citizenship.

Criminal record.
More than three administrative violations of the law and corresponding fines imposed in the regions of Russia.
Submitting false papers.
Providing false information at the stage of drawing up official papers or during an interview.
Having unpaid loans or other financial debts.
Service in security agencies.

How to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Belarus for a citizen of Ukraine

Those who permanently reside in Belarus can submit documents to the department of internal affairs at their place of residence. If you are in another country and belong to one of the “privileged” categories, then you can apply for citizenship at the consulate or diplomatic mission of Belarus in your country. And you can count on privileges:

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The Ministry of Internal Affairs is in charge of issues of granting citizenship and documents legalizing the stay of a migrant on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Its employees are required to accept all papers from the applicant for a residence permit and inform about the date of consideration of the documents.

Is dual citizenship allowed in Belarus?

The government of the Republic of Belarus is strict about dual citizenship - it is impossible to formalize it. Having Russian and Belarusian citizenship at the same time is prohibited by the state. Even at the stage of submitting documents, you must provide evidence of termination of foreign citizenship.

There is an exception for children, one of whose parents is a citizen of another state. But even in this case it is not permanent. Upon reaching 18 years of age, an adult citizen must decide on his choice of citizenship and is deprived of dual citizenship.

How to obtain Belarusian citizenship

This article includes several nuances about how to obtain a residence permit in Belarus, as well as under what conditions it is possible for foreign citizens to obtain citizenship in this country. This information will help you become familiar with the conditions for granting citizenship to people who reside in Belarus on a permanent basis.

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Those who meet all the above criteria can apply for citizenship to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. The application must be accompanied by documents such as: a copy of your identification document, confirmation of the source of income, a copy of the birth certificate, an autobiography, a completed application form, a certificate from the place of residence indicating the composition of the family, a police clearance certificate. Be prepared for the fact that additional documents may be needed; the lists often change.