Is dual citizenship prohibited in Russia or not? This question interests many. Especially those who plan to move to the Russian Federation, but do not want to part with their citizenship. Controversy constantly arises around the topic. Someone says that there is a ban. Some claim that having a second passport is completely legal. Who to believe? In Russia, there is a separate law that helps to answer the question. What you need to know about dual citizenship in Russia? What should I pay attention to first of all?
Legality
Is dual citizenship prohibited in Russia ? Or can I have several passports at the same time? In fact, it is good enough to know Russian legislation to correctly answer the question posed.
Several citizenship in Russia is not a fairy tale. There is even the so-called law "On dual citizenship of the Russian Federation." It states that citizens can have a second passport, but under certain conditions. Therefore, it is not worth believing in the illegality of dual citizenship. The main thing is to comply with the rules established in Russia related to this issue.
A priority
For example, you need to clearly understand that dual citizenship is a double responsibility. Indeed, before each state, a person will have his own obligations. For example, military service in men. At the same time, “repay a debt” is necessary only for one country.
Here, a person with several passports has freedom of choice. The fact is that he himself has the right to choose the country in which he will perform military service. But this is not all the features.
It must be remembered that the conditionally called law "On Dual Citizenship of the Russian Federation" indicates that when residing on the territory of Russia priority remains with "local" citizenship. That is, the emphasis will be placed on the perception of a person not as a foreigner, but as "his".
International treaties and dual citizenship
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that Russia has signed special international treaties with some states. In this case, a citizen in the presence of several passports will be immediately considered as a person from the Russian Federation and from another state. In addition, it will not be necessary to notify of a second passport. Agreements have been signed with some countries that do not allow obtaining a second citizenship in principle. But this is an extremely rare occurrence.
At the moment, Russia has similar agreements with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Since 2015, you cannot have a second passport, if we are talking about these countries. This is a new dual citizenship information that many people forget. However, those who received a second passport before May 18, 2015, reserve the right to possess multiple identity cards.
Refinements
There are still some features that all citizens should pay attention to. It is already clear that to say that dual citizenship is prohibited in Russia is not worth it. People are entitled to a second identity card. If not, they will be warned about this in a particular state.
To dispel all doubts, it is enough to study the legislation of the country with special care. No changes in dual citizenship clarify the question posed as a line: "Obtaining citizenship of a foreign state does not oblige a citizen of the Russian Federation to renounce his previously acquired status." What does it mean?
It's simple - a person can have several passports. If a citizen of the Russian Federation is going to become a member of another state, then citizenship of the Russian Federation is retained at will. If it is absent, you can refuse this status. Therefore, we can say with exact certainty - there are no bans on several passports in Russia as such.
Notify Passport
Nevertheless, there is one rule that people should remember: it is required to notify the migration services of the Russian Federation about dual citizenship. Hiding this fact is a criminal offense. Therefore, it is necessary, under certain circumstances, to report that a person has a second identification card.
In what cases is it necessary? The Russian legislation clearly states that when you are permanently in the Russian Federation, a person is obliged to report the availability of a second citizenship. Otherwise, he will be considered a criminal.
Sometimes dual citizenship in Russia brings certain inconvenience. The law states that it is not necessary to inform about the availability of another passport when the stay in the territory of the Russian Federation is temporary or if the person permanently resides outside the country. Be sure to notify the migration service only when you are in Russia for a long time.
Not immediately, but do not hesitate
In this case, you can not rush too much with the notification. The legislation of the Russian Federation provides for a period within which it is required to comply with an appeal to certain bodies. To do this is not so difficult as it seems. Serious paperwork is not required.
How much time is given to inform the relevant authorities about the availability of a second passport? Is dual citizenship prohibited in Russia? No. But it is necessary to inform about it no later than 60 days after the moment of arrival on the territory of the Russian Federation. Otherwise, the citizen will be considered a violator. A certain responsibility will await him.
It is recommended immediately upon arrival in the country to report the availability of a second identity card. It is difficult to do this - a special form on dual citizenship is filled out (presented in the form of a questionnaire), several documents are attached, after which the application is submitted to certain authorities. This way you can avoid problems.
Penalties
What threatens those who choose not to report their second citizenship to the migration services? In fact, the punishments can be different. It all depends on the situation, in most cases issues are resolved individually.
Nevertheless, modern legislation of the Russian Federation provides for the payment of a fine for default. Its size reaches 200 thousand rubles. Or compulsory work is assigned to a citizen who has not reported a second passport - 300-400 hours.
Plus, a person can be deported from the country. Again, with a temporary and short stay in Russia, you do not need to report on citizenship. When living on a permanent basis within a foreign state - too. In these situations, you can not be afraid of any punishment. Responsibility for such actions is not provided in any way.
Where to go
Many are interested in which bodies are required to report on their second passport. The question is interesting. Indeed, recent changes in Russia have led to confusion in the field of registration of most documents. Now many do not know how to solve problems related to migration issues.
Previously, the notification was sent to the regional FMS of Russia. Dual citizenship took shape here. But in 2016, this service was abolished. And now, many have no idea where exactly you need to send alerts about the second passport.
In fact, citizens are given de facto freedom of choice. They can send the questionnaire to one of the following places:
- Ministry of Internal Affairs (migration department, it replaces the FMS);
- Multifunctional Center;
- State Services portal (problems may arise);
- passport office (in some cases).
Most often, the population simply turns to the IFC, where it solves numerous issues related to paperwork, as well as with the notification of certain services about any event. Is dual citizenship prohibited in Russia? No, you just need to report it. What features of the alert should you know?
Alert Features
With a time limit, everything is clear. But this is not all surprises prepared by law. In the Russian Federation, you must correctly report the availability of a second identity card. A special application is filled out with a questionnaire, certificates and extracts are attached to them, confirming the legality of stay in the country.
What needs to be provided to these or other authorities in order to correctly report on second citizenship? Among all the documents distinguish:
- application form (issued by the MFC or you can download it online, then fill out);
- identity card of a citizen (of the Russian Federation and a foreign state, plus copies);
- certificates allowing to stay in the country (for example, a residence permit);
- base documents for obtaining a second passport.
Also, a citizen may be asked for a birth certificate, marriage or divorce. It is advisable to bring them along with copies immediately. If the notification occurs through a proxy, you must provide the power of attorney in the original.
Sometimes you need to notify the minor about dual citizenship. In this situation, a birth certificate is required. Plus, the application is filled out by the legal representative. For children there is a separate profile. When a minor already has passports, they must also be attached to the previously completed form. Nothing complicated or special. In fact, it is possible to notify certain authorities not only personally or through a representative, but also by mail.
Instead of a conclusion
Now it’s clear how legitimate dual citizenship is. A sample of filling in the corresponding application form is presented. There is nothing special about it - standard data that is present in most cases.
It is worth remembering that having two passports is not a crime. The illegal act is the concealment of this fact. Therefore, it is better to worry in advance about informing the migration services about your special situation.
The Russian Federation does not limit its citizens in the rights to obtain a second citizenship. Only not all countries are ready to give it. Therefore, the main issues in this case should be clarified in each case in a particular state. So far, the institution of dual citizenship is controversial, and therefore it can sometimes bring a lot of problems to citizens.