It is quite natural that quite close relations have been established between Russia and other former Soviet republics in the economic and political sphere, and this has a fairly beneficial effect on migration rules. One example of the effectiveness of such bilateral contacts is dual citizenship with Tajikistan, which allows citizens of both countries to hold two passports at once.

What does dual citizenship mean?

Dual citizenship means that a person holds passports from two countries at once and is recognized as a legal citizen bilaterally. As for obligations, as a rule, a mutual recognition agreement stipulates that the binational will fulfill them where he resides permanently. This opportunity is usually provided on the basis of a treaty concluded between the governments of the interested powers.

But we should not forget that migration legislation also operates with such a term as second citizenship. It implies cases where there are no agreements between countries, but citizenship is still acquired. In such a situation, each country considers holders of a second civil status exclusively as its citizens, which does not exempt them from their existing rights or assigned responsibilities.

How Tajikistan views dual citizenship status

The Law on Citizenship of the Tajik Republic states that citizens of the state cannot belong to two powers at once. This means that if a Tajik receives or any other country, the Republic will still consider him only its citizen. Therefore, he will continue to be obliged to follow the laws of the country, fulfill his obligations, in exchange for this, receiving the opportunity to exercise his rights.

At the same time, the law states that the only exception in this case is those who received the indigenous status of a state with which Tajikistan has signed a special agreement. In particular, dual citizenship between Russia and Tajikistan is a completely legal phenomenon.

Who can have dual citizenship status in Tajikistan

According to the signed agreement, any citizen of the country has the right to obtain binational status. There are simply no restrictions regarding grounds or any other principles.

The only exceptions are persons who intend to occupy the following positions in the Republic:

  • deputy of state and local authorities;
  • member of an election commission or referendum commission;
  • captain of an aircraft or ship;
  • founder of the TV channel
  • state employee.

In other words, such authorities as internal affairs bodies, the prosecutor’s office, the investigative committee, security agencies, courts, state security, the Accounts Chamber, customs, and foreign intelligence are closed to bipatrids.

In addition, persons who have received a second citizenship can no longer have access to state secrets and cannot continue to serve in the armed forces if, at the time of acquiring a passport from a second country, they held the rank of midshipman, warrant officer or officer. These restrictions apply, among other things, to those persons who have become, despite the fact that a bilateral agreement has been signed with this state.

What are the obligations of obtaining dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship of Tajikistan and Russia places the only obligation on its holder - to inform the migration department that he has become a citizen of another country.

How does the Russian side feel about dual citizenship?

It would not be superfluous to consider how the Russian state interprets dual affiliation. After all, the number of people who would like to obtain a Russian passport or have already done so is quite large. It’s worth saying right away that the Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation” is one of those that can be changed more often than others. The latest changes in the part that deals with dual citizenship status appeared in 2014.

Dual citizenship in the Russian Federation

Dual citizenship is also not prohibited by Russian laws. On the contrary, Article 62 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation states that Russians have the right to become citizens of another country and enjoy all rights and privileges if there is an agreement on the mutual recognition of passports of the two countries.

Currently, Russia has signed documents of this order only with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (cancelled in 2015).

Belonging to the citizenship of any other countries is not recognized by Russian legislation, and therefore its holders are still considered Russians, with all the ensuing consequences.

For those who want to understand in more detail the rights and responsibilities of bipatrids, we recommend that you read the information about.

Notification of receiving a passport of another country

According to the latest innovations in the law mentioned above, Russians who have become citizens of another country are required to report this to the Migration Service of the Russian Federation after.

Exactly 60 days after entry are allotted to submit a notification. You must submit your application in person or through Russian Post. Sending documents from abroad is not provided. If for some reason the applicant did not manage to meet the required deadline, he will face a fine of 500-1000 rubles.

If there are valid reasons, it is necessary to provide documents proving the impossibility of submitting a notification on time. For concealing the fact of receipt, permanent residence or citizenship of another state, the violator faces criminal liability. By the way, it will be said that the agreement on dual citizenship with Tajikistan does not exempt you from filing a notification.

Is there a fine?

Like Tajikistan, the Russian state does not punish its citizens for choosing to become holders of passports from two different states. Consequences, as mentioned above, threaten such persons only when they decide to hide this circumstance.

In addition, all bipatrids can safely continue to enjoy their rights as Russians, since having a residence permit or foreign passport also does not lead to the loss of Russian citizenship. All that needs to be done is to submit a notification on time, thereby informing the state of the accomplished fact.

Highlights of the agreement on dual citizenship of Russia and Tajikistan

An agreement between the two former Soviet republics was signed in 1995. The validity period of the document is 5 years with the right of automatic extension if none of the signatories indicates their desire to renounce their obligations under the agreement no later than 6 months before the expiration of the specified period.

The impetus for concluding an interstate union on the issue of citizenship was the increase in the number of residents of Tajikistan. According to the agreement, citizens of both countries can obtain a passport from the other party without losing their native citizenship.

This gives them the following advantages:

  • unhindered crossing of mutual borders;
  • simplified process;
  • the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits and guarantees in both countries.

It is noteworthy that both Tajiks and Russians are required to notify the migration service about the assignment of a new status to them, even if they reside in the territory of the country of their acquired citizenship on a permanent basis.

At the same time, those who serve in the armed forces of this republic will be able to obtain a Tajik passport without any problems.

How to change citizenship

Changing citizenship is not a simple and rather lengthy process. It begins with choosing a basis that will allow the migrant to move. This stage can be considered the most important in the entire process, since if the entire project called “emigration” fails, no one will return the effort, time and money spent.

The basis may be:

  • “right of blood”;
  • “law of the soil”;
  • family reunion;
  • marriage;
  • ethnic roots.

The reason for moving may be labor migration or the desire to get an education in another country with a further prospect of employment there.

  1. Entry into the target state.
  2. Obtaining a residence permit.
  3. Registration of permanent residence.
  4. Entry into citizenship.

The main requirements for candidates at the last stage are the presence of a permanent place of residence, a source of income sufficient to ensure a normal lifestyle, and confirmation that the applicant has renounced his previous citizenship. The latter requirement does not apply to those who receive a passport from a country that is a signatory to the agreement on the recognition of dual citizenship.

How to renounce Tajik citizenship

The agreement on dual citizenship with Tajikistan does not oblige all those who want to purchase a Russian passport to renounce their right to be called a citizen of this country. But if the target state becomes any other point on the map, then it is important to know how to do this, since this requirement, as a rule, is always present when accepting citizenship in other countries.

So, the basis for termination of Tajik civil status can be:

  • renunciation of citizenship;
  • his loss;
  • cancellation of the decision on admission to it;
  • option;
  • other grounds provided for by the Constitution.

How to obtain Russian citizenship for Tajiks

To become a Russian citizen, a citizen of Tajikistan must decide on the basis that will allow him to go all the way according to the usual scheme or a simplified one. The second option is available to the following categories of citizens:

  • those who have one of their parents who is already Russian;
  • married to a citizen of the Russian Federation;
  • those who have the status of a WWII veteran;
  • born on the territory of the RSFSR.

One of the required documents is a certificate of passing the Russian language exam. In order for the application to be considered, you must provide proof of your place of residence, source of income and permanent job.

And do not forget that the legislation of both countries tends to change very often, and therefore once again clarify all the intricacies of the procedure for acquiring a second citizenship immediately when you are ready to begin the first steps.

Dual Citizenship Second Citizenship