Ukraine sets age requirements for foreigners seeking citizenship

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street, in central London, on October 14, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / POOL / AFP)

Ukraine has outlined age-based requirements for foreigners and stateless persons seeking citizenship, specifying who can apply and when minors must consent in person.

The State Migration Service of Ukraine published the guidelines in accordance with the Law of Ukraine on Ukrainian Citizenship and Presidential Decree No. 215 of March 27, 2001.

Under the requirements, as obtained by PUNCH Online on Wednesday from the state’s migration service of Ukraine’s website, foreigners and stateless persons aged 18 and above must personally submit their applications for Ukrainian citizenship.

For children below 18, applications must generally be submitted by their parents or legal representatives. However, minors aged between 14 and 17 must personally consent to acquiring Ukrainian citizenship.

This means parents or legal guardians cannot independently secure citizenship for teenagers within that age bracket without their consent.

The guidelines divide applicants into three categories based on age.

Children below 14 must have applications submitted on their behalf by a parent or legal representative, while those aged 14 to 17 must provide personal consent even though an adult handles the application.

Applicants aged 18 and above are required to submit their naturalisation applications independently.

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Two-year transitional arrangement for foreign nationals

The Ukrainian authorities have also outlined requirements for applicants who already hold citizenship of another country.

“Foreign nationals seeking Ukrainian citizenship under the procedure described by the migration authority must pledge to terminate their existing citizenship within two years of being registered as Ukrainian citizens.

“Applicants who make the required pledge are issued temporary Ukrainian identity cards valid for two years rather than full passports during the transitional period,” the migration service added.

A Ukrainian passport is issued after the individual has formally terminated their previous citizenship or submitted a written declaration renouncing it, in accordance with the applicable procedure.

However, stateless persons are exempt from the requirement to pledge to terminate another country’s citizenship and are not subject to the same two-year transitional arrangement.

The migration authority advised foreigners and stateless persons interested in acquiring Ukrainian citizenship to familiarise themselves with the relevant legal provisions and documentation requirements before commencing the application process.

Further information on citizenship applications and the required procedures is available through the official website of Ukraine’s State Migration Service.