Naturalization of citizenship - what is it, procedure

What is naturalization? Description and definition of the term.

Naturalization is a judicial process of acquiring citizenship based on the voluntary request of a nationality applicant. The order of acceptance into a nationality is regulated by state law. Typically, acquiring citizenship requires meeting many conditions (language proficiency, availability of housing, etc.). The term “naturalization” (English naturalization) historically means the acquisition of natural rights (natural English) citizens (or citizens). In naturalization, sometimes distribute:

registration - acquisition of citizenship according to the person's report without any additional conditions (usually the categories of persons entitled to use this method are provided for by law); talent of nationality - usually a noble talent of nationality to the head of state for any merit (if such is provided for by law).

Naturalization usually comes with many conditions. One of them is the so-called qualifying period - the time spent in the country. In most cases this is five years, as in Sweden or the Netherlands. In Switzerland the qualifying period is 12 years. In many countries the qualification period is reduced for persons of the nationality of the title. For example, in Japan, instead of 5 years, 3 years is used for foreign-born Japanese children. In Arab countries, this period can last from 15 to 25 years. In Israel, there is no qualifying period for Jews at all - according to the Income Law, they become citizens from the moment they enter the country. The same order also works in Armenia for quite ethnic Armenians born abroad.

Naturalization in Canada

To obtain Canadian citizenship by naturalization, it is necessary for the applicant to:

live in Canada for three years as a permanent resident; submit the necessary documents and sign the oath of allegiance to the Queen of Canada (formally, Canada's head of state is Elizabeth II); take a written test to test your knowledge of Canadian history; take a test for knowledge of English or French (depending on the area) language; the procedure can take up to 9 years (see Canadian media websites).

Under what conditions is naturalization carried out?

Any citizen can obtain Russian citizenship during the naturalization process if he meets the following requirements:

• legally resides in the Russian Federation for five years;
• has a stable source of income or other income;
• fluent in the state language;
• has no other citizenship or has renounced it.

In general, it can be noted that the requirements are quite flexible, and all that is required from the applicant is to confirm these points using special documents.

Naturalization in Latvia

To obtain Latvian citizenship by naturalization, it is necessary for the applicant to:

be older than 15 years (children who have not reached the age of 15 can be naturalized along with their parents); live in Latvia for five years as a permanent resident; submit the necessary documents and sign the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Latvia; have a legal source of livelihood; be subject to testing of Latvian language skills, knowledge of the basic provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, the text of the national anthem and the history of Latvia.

There are privileges for testing certain groups of people who have been trained or examined in whole or in part in the Latvian language, for people over 65 years old and for disabled people of higher groups I, II, III.

How does naturalization occur in Russia?

Every year, about a quarter of a million foreigners receive citizenship of the Russian Federation. Most of them are citizens of countries of the former USSR.

At the same time, the legislation of the Russian Federation provides for various ways to obtain citizenship: in some cases, naturalization is simple and quick, in others it requires patience and time.

The main provisions on naturalization can be found in Articles 13 and 14 of the Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”.

Conditions for naturalization in the Russian Federation

A person may be naturalized in a general manner , subject to the following conditions:

• Age from 18 years (Minors undergo naturalization together with their parents).
• 5 years of continuous residence in the Russian Federation. The period is counted from the day the residence permit is received until the day the application for citizenship is written. By “continuous residence” it is meant that the person did not leave the Russian Federation for more than 3 months during the year.
• The person did not violate the legislation of the Russian Federation.
• Has a source of livelihood.
• The person submitted an application to renounce his existing citizenship. Renunciation of citizenship is not required if this is provided for by international treaties of the Russian Federation, as well as if renunciation of citizenship is impossible for reasons beyond the control of the person.
• Knowledge of Russian language.

The required period of residence in the Russian Federation is reduced to 1 year if:

• The person has high achievements in science or culture, or has the qualifications necessary for the Russian Federation;
• The person has received political asylum or refugee status.

A person can be naturalized under a simplified procedure if:

• At least one of the person’s parents has Russian citizenship.
• Has been married to a Russian citizen for at least three years.
• Has a child who is a citizen of the Russian Federation (subject to additional conditions prescribed by law).
• Received professional education on the territory of the Russian Federation in programs that have state accreditation (after July 1, 2002). At the same time, you have at least 3 years of work experience in the country.
• A person has been an individual entrepreneur for at least 3 years and has paid more than 1 million rubles in taxes and fees during this period.
• When investing in a legal entity on the territory of the Russian Federation: the person’s share in the authorized capital is at least 10% for 3 years, and the total amount of the authorized capital is over 100 million rubles.
• When working in the country for at least 3 years in a specialty included in the list of professions (Mainly these are: medical workers, engineers in various fields of activity, as well as qualified representatives of working specialties: mechanics, turners, welders, and so on).
• Persons recognized as native speakers of the Russian language in accordance with Art. 33.1 of the Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”.
• The person had citizenship of the USSR, but did not receive citizenship of any of the republics after its collapse.
• When performing military service under a contract in the armed forces of the Russian Federation for at least 3 years. In this case, the person must be a citizen of a state that was part of the USSR.
• The person has special services to the Russian Federation.

Brief description of the naturalization procedure

Under the general application procedure, naturalization is available only to persons who have the status of permanent residents in the territory of the Russian Federation (residence permit). Typically, obtaining this status is also preceded by:

1. Temporary residence on a visa or migration card;
2. Temporary residence on the basis of a temporary residence permit for 3 years. After which you can get a residence permit.

Having lived for 5 years with a residence permit (in the absence of grounds for a simplified procedure), having passed the Russian language exam, and having collected a package of necessary documents, you should submit it to the authorized authority. After which the decision to grant citizenship is usually made within a year.

What documents need to be submitted

To obtain citizenship through naturalization, you must collect the following package of documents:

1. A correctly drawn up Application in several copies.
2. Passport or other identification document.
3. Document confirming permanent residence.
4. Residence permit (original and copy).
5. Evidence of intent to renounce another citizenship. For example, a copy of the refusal application and receipt of its sending to the diplomatic mission.
6. Receipt for payment of state duty.
7. 3 photographs 30x40 millimeters.
8. Educational documents: school certificate, diplomas from secondary and higher educational institutions.
9. Confirmation of knowledge of the Russian language: a certificate of passing a special exam or a school certificate of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus or the RSFSR.
10. Documents confirming stable legal income.

If necessary:

• Documents confirming the change of personal data, for example, due to marriage.
• Birth certificates of children;
• Other documents confirming the right to simplified naturalization.

Attention: The above documents must be in Russian or have notarized translations.

Authorized bodies

Migration issues are dealt with by: the Main Directorate for Migration Issues (GUMV) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation - documents should be submitted to the branches of this organization, which are available in all major populated areas of the country.

The Russian language proficiency exam is taken in special institutions licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Timing and cost

The minimum costs for naturalization are small:

• The state duty is 3,500 rubles for 2021.
• Russian language exam (if necessary) - 6,000 rubles.

Most likely, additional expenses will be required for the services of a notary, translator, lawyer and for learning the Russian language;

Typically, an application for citizenship is processed within 1 year, but in some circumstances accelerated processing is possible.

Reasons for refusal

Obtaining citizenship is a long and serious process. Various services and law enforcement agencies conduct checks on the applicant, as a result of which citizenship may be denied if there are certain grounds:

• Submission of false information, as well as forgery of documents;
• Having a criminal record or being in prison;
• If a person may pose a threat to public safety.

Naturalization in Russia

Acceptance of citizenship of the Russian Federation was made in accordance with articles 13 and 14 of the law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” dated May 31, 2002 62-F3 number. According to this law, obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation is possible in a simplified or general order. To obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation in the general order, this is required: to be older than 18 years; it is continuous to live on the territory of the Russian Federation as a permanent resident for 5 years (the term is reduced to 1 year for specialists in the field of science, equipment or culture, job seekers, political asylum, refugees); have a legal source of livelihood; undertake to observe the constitution and acts of the Russian Federation; know Russian language.

There is also the possibility of obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation in a simplified order without complying with part of the above-established conditions. This opportunity is given:

people who have at least one parent - a citizen of the Russian Federation living on its territory; residents of the republics of the former USSR who did not receive citizenship of these states after they gained independence; people who were born on the territory of the RSFSR and the citizenship of the USSR; people who have been married to citizens of the Russian Federation for at least 3 years; service under contract in the armed forces of the Russian Federation for 3 or more years; people who incapacitated children of citizens of the Russian Federation, 18 years of age or older; participants in the program for the voluntary resettlement of compatriots abroad and some other categories.

What is naturalization?

Naturalization is the voluntary acquisition of citizenship.
According to the generally accepted definition, naturalization of citizenship is citizenship that a foreign person acquires voluntarily, of his own free will. In this case, such a person must meet the requirements and conditions that are determined by the legislation of the country granting citizenship.

Most often, naturalization is carried out through registration - based on the application of the applicant. His candidacy is considered by authorized persons, and if they find no obstacles, a decision is made to grant citizenship.

In some cases, naturalization may be granted to a foreign applicant for certain merits. Such a decision is made individually by the first person of the state.

In Russia, there are two options for acquiring citizenship through naturalization - general and simplified. The general algorithm is available to any applicant if he is not known to have committed actions against the state. Such naturalization includes three stages: obtaining a temporary residence permit, obtaining a residence permit and directly obtaining the status of a Russian citizen.

Migrants can apply for naturalization according to the general scheme:

• those who have reached 18 years of age;
• living in the country with a residence permit for 5 years;
• complying with Russian legislation;
• speaking Russian.

A simplified naturalization format allows you to apply for citizenship without complying with a five-year residence period. It is available to persons:

• married to a Russian;
• having a parent with Russian citizenship;
• former subjects of the Soviet Union;
• stateless persons living in the territories of one of the former Soviet republics;
• have served in the Russian army on a contract basis for 3 or more years;
• some other categories.

Important: starting from 2021, confirmation of official income has been removed from the list of mandatory requirements for naturalization.

Naturalization in the USA

To obtain American citizenship, the applicant must:

be older than 18 years (except for the naturalization of one’s own or adopted children); live in the US for a general period of 5 years as a permanent resident. For spouses of US citizens, this period is reduced to 3 years. For military personnel of the US Armed Forces, up to one year, and by wartime, the service member can apply for naturalization directly after transferring for military service (US military service, only a citizen can transfer); to have “high moral character” (this criterion includes persons interested in prostitution, slave trade or illegal gambling, who evade taxes, committed crimes for which more than 5 years of imprisonment involved possession or drug trafficking, alcoholics, polygamists, those who refuse to support minor children and who commit perjury under oath are necessary, found to be inappropriate); pass a written examination for knowledge of English and US history; recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States. The text of the oath contains language about the renunciation of any other nationality or citizenship, however, in practice, the American government faithfully considers the availability of another nationality and does not require a formal procedure for renouncing it.

Naturalization is... What is Naturalization?

Naturalization is the legal process of acquiring citizenship based on the voluntary desire of the citizenship applicant. The procedure for granting citizenship is regulated by state legislation. Typically, to acquire citizenship, a number of conditions must be met (language proficiency, availability of housing, etc.). The term “naturalization” historically means the acquisition of the rights of natural citizens (or subjects). Within the framework of naturalization, the following are sometimes distinguished:

• registration - acquisition of citizenship upon application of a person without any additional conditions (usually the categories of persons entitled to use this method are specified by law);
• granting citizenship is usually an honorary grant of citizenship to a person by the head of state for any merit (if such is provided for by law).

Naturalization usually comes with a number of conditions. One of them is the so-called qualification period - the time spent in the country. In most cases it is five years, as in Sweden or the Netherlands. In Switzerland the qualifying period is 12 years. In a number of countries, the qualification period is reduced for persons of the titular nationality. For example, in Japan, instead of 5 years, 3 years are used for children of Japanese nationality born abroad. In Arab countries, this period is shortened for Arabs[1]. In Israel, there is no qualifying period for Jews at all - according to the Law of Return, they become citizens from the moment they arrive in the country. The same procedure applies in Armenia, regarding ethnic Armenians born abroad.

Naturalization in Canada

To obtain Canadian citizenship by naturalization, an applicant must:

• have lived in Canada for three years as a permanent resident;
• submit the necessary documents and sign the oath of allegiance to the Queen of Canada (formally the head of state of Canada is the British Queen);
• take a written test on your knowledge of Canadian history.

Naturalization in Australia

To obtain Australian citizenship by naturalization, an applicant must:

• have lived in Australia for four years as a permanent resident;
• submit the necessary documents and sign the oath of allegiance to the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (formally the head of Australia is the British Queen);
• take a written test on your knowledge of Australian history.

Naturalization in Latvia

To obtain Latvian citizenship by naturalization, the applicant needs [source not specified 573 days]:

• reside in Latvia for ten years, including five years as a permanent resident;
• submit the necessary documents and sign the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Latvia;
• pay the state fee;
• pass a test of Latvian language skills, knowledge of the main provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, the text of the national anthem and the history of Latvia.

Naturalization in Russia

Admission to Russian Federation citizenship is carried out in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” dated May 31, 2002 No. 62-F3. According to this law, obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation is possible in a simplified or general manner. To obtain Russian citizenship, the following is generally required:

• Be over 18 years of age.
• Continuously reside in the territory of the Russian Federation as a permanent resident for 5 years (the period is reduced to 1 year for specialists in the field of science, technology or culture, political asylum seekers, refugees).
• Have a legal source of livelihood.
• Commit to complying with the Constitution and laws of the Russian Federation.
• Speak Russian.

There is also the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner, without meeting some of the above conditions. This opportunity is provided to: persons who have at least one parent - a citizen of the Russian Federation living on its territory; residents of the republics of the former USSR who did not receive citizenship of these states after they gained independence; persons born on the territory of the RSFSR and who had USSR citizenship; persons married to citizens of the Russian Federation for at least 3 years; served under contract in the armed forces of the Russian Federation for 3 or more years; persons with children who are citizens of the Russian Federation over 18 years of age; participants in the program for voluntary resettlement of compatriots abroad; and some others.

Naturalization in the USA

To obtain American citizenship, an applicant must:

• Be over 18 years of age (except for the naturalization of your own or adopted children)
• Live in the USA for 5 years as a permanent resident
• Have “high moral qualities” (persons who are involved in prostitution, slave trade or illegal gambling, tax evaders, who have committed crimes punishable by more than 5 years in prison, those convicted of possession or distribution of drugs, alcoholics, polygamists are recognized as not meeting this criterion evading support of minor children, and perjury under oath).
• Pass a written exam on English language and US history
• Take an oath of allegiance to the United States. The text of the oath contains words about the renunciation of any other citizenship or nationality, but in practice the US government is loyal to the presence of another citizenship and does not require a formal procedure for renouncing it.

Naturalization in Germany

To obtain German citizenship by naturalization, the applicant must:

• Be over 16 years old. (Children under 16 may be naturalized with a parent)
• Continuously reside in Germany for 8 years (the period may be reduced).
• Have a legal source of livelihood and be independent from the state.
• Pass the Naturalization Test (a test of knowledge of the history, culture, rights and political structure of the Federal Republic of Germany)
• Have a sufficient command of the German language (level B1 is recognized)
• Commit to complying with the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The residency requirement is being reduced:

• Up to seven years, if a foreigner has completed an integration course.
• Up to six years, if the foreigner has achieved success in integration
• Up to four years if the foreigner is married to a German citizen or married to a German citizen

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Notes

Requirements for Green Card holders to obtain nationality

It is not necessary for Green Card holders to become US citizens; they can remain to live as a permanent resident (resident) of America. However, if certain requirements are met, you can apply for nationality. In addition to the right to vote and other benefits, US citizenship will allow you to be located abroad without the threat of loss of legal status. Citizens are also not subject to deportation. The process of asking for nationality is called naturalization. Therefore, the government agency on immigration affairs is called the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Immigration and Naturalization Service).

Ordering a nationality involves three steps: 1) submitting an application, 2) passing an interview, 3) swearing an oath to the US. The registration period depends on the number of applicants in various immigration services. Now in most cities the entire process takes at least one year. You must address to the region where you live.

Waiting period

You are eligible for nationality after five years of remaining a permanent resident of the United States. (Permanent residents doing US military service may apply for nationality earlier.) Because the entire process takes a long time, you can apply three months before their five year deadline. If the Green Card was granted on the basis of marriage to an American citizen, then you can apply for nationality after three years if you were legally married before receiving nationality. In case of divorce, separate placement or death of one of the spouses – you must wait for the placement five years. If you received a “conditional” Green Card, then your three-year waiting period begins from the date you received your “conditional” residence permit. The waiting period and U.S. residency requirement may be waived for spouses of U.S. citizens serving in the military overseas; spouses of US citizens working for a US company that specializes in international trade abroad, and in certain other situations.

If you have continually relived the year outside the US, then your waiting period is assessed again. (Staying abroad for more than a year also threatens your permanent resident status if immigration officials believe you are not permanently living in the US, see Chapter 16.) At least a year of continuous US residence in certain situations, you may ask the immigration office to maintain continuity of placement for up to two years to obtain nationality while you are stationed abroad. It belongs to persons who are located abroad in government service or are on the staff of certain American firms that are engaged in international trade and also to many religious figures.

Primary requirements

A certificate of naturalization can only be issued to persons who strictly comply with the basic requirements. Their list includes:

• age
• status
• length of stay
• oath.

To acquire citizenship by naturalization, a person must be 18 years old. Children receive citizenship through a special procedure. In addition, you must be legally present in the country. A foreigner must have a residence permit or permanent residence status. This is a mandatory condition, which is complemented by a requirement for the length of stay. As a rule, the period varies from 5 to 10 years of residence in the country. In some states it can be 15 years or more. The exception is situations where the candidate is married to a citizen.

Residence in the USA

You must be in the US for at least half of the waiting period. For most people this is 2.5 years. Individuals who have received a Green Card through marriage to an American citizen must spend at least one and a half years in the United States. In certain cases, this requirement does not apply to spouses of citizens living abroad. Residence in the state

You must have lived in your state for at least three months before filing your naturalization applications with your local immigration office. You must also remain a permanent resident of that state before taking the oath of nationality. If you move to another state, you must submit a new application.

Naturalization

Green Card holders can apply for citizenship and all related privileges, including obtaining a passport. After living in the States for at least 5 years, you need to go through the naturalization procedure.

This requires a good knowledge of the language of American history and culture, as well as taking an oath of allegiance to the United States.

Requirements for applicants

• Those who have received a green card by marrying an American can apply within 3 years.
• The waiting period is waived for military spouses serving in combat overseas.
• For those who have lived outside the United States for more than a year, the period is calculated again from the date of arrival.
• Voluntary service in the US military makes it easier to become a citizen.
• The candidate must be in the states for at least half of the required period.
• Live in one place for at least 3 months before submitting the application and stay in the same place to take the oath.
• Must be 18 years of age at the time of citizenship acquisition.

Citizenship for a child

Only parents or official guardians can obtain citizenship for a child; until the age of 18, he cannot apply on his own. Requirements for obtaining citizenship:

• he must be legally in the country;
• be under the guardianship of an American citizen;

A child can apply for documents immediately, even if he came to the States for the first time, and can obtain citizenship by blood ties.

Most of the American population lives without passports, using a driver's license as identification. However, it provides great travel opportunities. About 160 countries around the world have opened visa-free entry for Americans.

Age

You must be at least 18 years old to which you could apply for nationality regardless.

A parent who is an American citizen may grant nationality to an unmarried child under 18 years of age under the following conditions: the child is in legal status in the United States; the child is in the legal custody of a U.S. citizen parent; the child has a Green Card and lives with the American citizen parent or the citizen parent (grandparents being US citizens) meets certain American residency requirements.

In such cases, the length of the child's stay in the United States or the length of his fixed status does not matter. (An adopted child, an illegitimate child, or a child who has never been to the United States may also obtain citizenship from a U.S. citizen parent under certain circumstances.)

A parent who is an American citizen must apply to Immigration for a certificate of nationality for the child through the N-600 questionnaire and supporting documents ($100 filing fee). The petition must be granted and the certificate must be issued before the child turns 18 years of age. Otherwise, he/she must apply for naturalization. The fastest method to obtain citizenship for a child is to apply for a US passport before the child turns 18. Passport availability does not require a certificate of nationality.

Definition of the word “Naturalization” according to TSB:

Naturalization - Naturalization (French naturalisation, from Latin naturalis - natural, natural, native) (biological), one of the results of the introduction of plants and animals, in which changes in the metabolism of organisms are possible, but these changes are determined by the norm of the body's reaction (see Modifications ). For example, many weeds and animal pests have a wide genotype reaction rate and are distributed over different regions of the globe. In this case, the genetic structure of the population or species does not change. Sometimes N. is understood as the relocation of plants or animals to places where conditions are identical to the original living conditions of the relocated organisms.

Naturalization is the acceptance into citizenship or nationality of a state of a person who is not a citizen or national of this state by birth. N. occurs in the following cases: the acquisition of citizenship or citizenship by a person who does not have it. transition from one citizenship or nationality to another. The N. procedure is established by the legislation of each state. In the USSR, Soviet citizenship is granted upon the personal application of a foreigner or stateless person by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR or the union republic in which the person lives.

Persons who are not entitled to nationality

Some people may never obtain US citizenship during a certain period or. Lose the right to obtain nationality for a certain period of time for persons who, within five years (three years for Green Card holders based on marriage to an American citizen), have committed violations that are considered grounds for “exclusion.”

Typically, denationalization is based on criminal forfeiture. (In many cases, Green Card holders can be deported after imprisonment, which also deprives them of their nationality rights.) The law is particularly strict: almost all drug violations (including use) are deprived of their nationality rights, except in a single case

Who can be refused

Federal legislation provides for certain restrictions for persons wishing to acquire new citizenship. Therefore, the naturalization procedure will not be available to those persons who:

• They are campaigning for a violent change in the main provisions of the main Law of the Russian Federation - the Constitution, and also creating obstacles to the security of the Russian Federation.
• Repeatedly expelled from the country over the course of five years due to violations of state laws. The refusal occurs in accordance with the norms of Federal legislation.
• They knowingly gave false information about themselves and their status when drawing up an application for Russian citizenship.
• They serve in the ranks of security or armed forces located on the territory of foreign states.
• Have a current criminal record for crimes committed on the territory of the Russian Federation or abroad.
• Prosecuted by foreign or domestic law enforcement and other competent authorities for a crime committed on the territory of the Russian Federation or in other states.
• They are sitting in prison and serving a sentence or awaiting a court verdict.
• Suffer from infectious or viral diseases that are dangerous to the health of the population of the Russian Federation.

If there are no restrictions, then any individual can accept naturalization of Russian citizenship. However, before doing so, you should familiarize yourself with the application procedure.