Dual citizenship is the opportunity to have two citizenships with the permission of the state. Bipatrid is a person with multiple citizenship. For example, such an agreement on citizenship was concluded between Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (Turkmenistan terminated the agreement in 2015). This article will describe in detail in which powers multiple citizenship is possible, as well as the pros and cons of dual citizenship.
Multiple and second citizenship
Everyone has the right to look for a place where he will be comfortable and where he will be able to build his future. But at the same time, it is not at all necessary to abandon the country where he was born. People who want to move or get a second identity document should read in detail about how to obtain dual citizenship, the pros and cons of multiple citizenship.
On the legal side, “dual citizenship” and “second citizenship” are two different concepts. Multiple citizenship is recognized as official if an agreement between states has been signed. The second citizenship is when there is no official contract concluded between states.
Positive aspects of dual citizenship
Before accepting dual citizenship, the pros and cons should be considered at the initial stage. This will help you think carefully and make the right decision. The main benefits of dual citizenship are:
- it is a good way to give your children foreign education and financial independence;
- the opportunity for a person in another country to start all over again, to find a new job, friends, to re-settle in life, etc .;
- dual citizenship is an excellent solution for those who need foreign life insurance and highly qualified medical care;
- this option is also suitable for those people who need protection if the state of the resident cannot provide security;
- attract financial opportunities, dual citizenship allows you to get good pay for your professional qualities and pay taxes in an adequate amount;
- you can freely travel without visas to the countries of the European Union (if the second citizenship is one of the EU countries);
- it becomes possible to receive pensions and benefits in normal amounts;
- You can take part in elections in any of the two countries;
- there is the possibility of choosing a country for litigation, which allows us to dwell on the state where the legislation is more loyal.
Negative aspects of dual citizenship
It is known that second citizenship is not always used within the framework of the law. There were cases when criminals escaped punishment in one country, hiding in another. An incorrect procedure for processing documents for residents of border zones is also possible.
The law does not provide that upon receipt of a second passport the first becomes invalid. Taking dual citizenship, the pros and cons must be well known. The following negative aspects of multiple citizenship can be listed:
- it is almost impossible to avoid double taxation;
- persons who have a large number of citizenship should not be held leadership positions in government bodies;
- by compulsory appeal it is necessary to go to the service, regardless of the fact that the service has already been performed in another power (this rule only works in the powers between which a separate agreement has not been signed);
- there is criminal liability for failure to provide information on the acquisition of another citizenship or shelter of this status.
Countries where multiple citizenship is prohibited
Today, many are becoming bipatrides. This makes it possible to freely move between states of first and second citizenship. If a citizen has the citizenship of two countries, then the rights and obligations are assigned to him in both countries. Permission to legally acquire a second citizenship is possible if an agreement has been concluded between the states where each party accepts citizenship of both powers.
But there are such countries where it is strictly forbidden to have two or more citizenships, where when obtaining new citizenship it is necessary to abandon the old one. Bipatrides are recognized as illegal:
- in Belarus, in some Baltic countries;
- in all powers in Central Asia;
- virtually all of Africa;
- in Spain and some European countries.
In Ukraine, with dual citizenship, the situation is rather complicated - bipatrides are not directly prohibited, but not allowed.
If a person is a resident of the Russian Federation, he has the right to issue a second identity card in almost any country.
Countries where bipatrides are allowed
Payment of taxes, social security, military service of bipatrides is carried out in the country where they work, deduct tax to the Pension Fund and draw up a declaration of income. List of powers in which it is possible to legally be a bipatrid:
- Brazil.
- Argentina if dual citizenship is obtained by a resident of Spain or Italy.
- Greece.
- Ireland.
- Dominican Republic.
- Israel.
- Spain, only with the states between which agreements were concluded.
- Latvia, possibly for emigrants from 1940-1990. and for their relatives.
- Lithuania, for citizens who were deprived of citizenship under 18 years of age.
- Turkey.
- Jamaica.
- Chile, only with Spain.
- Russia does not prohibit the population from having triple identification.
The map above shows countries in which second citizenship is prohibited (in red) and allowed (in green). Gray areas - no data. Ukraine on the map is marked in red, but it could be marked and green, in the country the situation is ambiguous with regard to the second citizenship. We will dwell on this country a little later.
Powers in which multiple citizenship is permitted on certain grounds
There are countries where bipatrides are possible, but only on certain conditions. In Iceland, you can have multiple citizenship to people who have received Icelandic citizenship through naturalization. The governments of Denmark and Germany are categorically against dual citizenship. But it is permitted to have a second passport if the subject has married a foreigner. For Russians, it is possible to obtain a second citizenship in Italy without problems, so so many Russians migrated to this country.
Multiple Citizenship in the USA
The US government does not check for second citizenship. The only thing you need to do when applying for an American identity card is to swear an oath that the subject will be faithful and loyal to the American power. Therefore, many Russian citizens legally have two documents: Russian and American. But if a US citizen wants to have a second or dual citizenship, then he needs to give up American citizenship and move to a country in which he seeks to obtain a permanent residence.
Bipatrides in the Russian Federation. Essay “Dual Citizenship: Pros and Cons for Citizens”
Citizens of Russia who have another certificate of another country are considered, according to the law of the Russian Federation, Russian citizens. Russia without concluding an agreement does not recognize the citizenship of another power and considers such citizens to be Russian residents. But at the same time, the Russian Federation does not prohibit Russians from accepting second citizenship of another country. These are the pros and cons of dual citizenship in Russia.
Informing the Russian authorities on dual citizenship
Since August 2014, citizens of the Russian Federation who purchased the second document are required to inform the special Russian services in writing. You can report through the Russian Post. This is necessary to create databases of citizens who have a second citizenship. The Russian authorities want to know which powers Russian citizens have responsibilities and duties.
Dual citizenship (the pros and cons we are now considering) does not in any way affect the rights and obligations of a person. The Russian authorities do not limit the possibilities of such residents.
Dual citizenship: pros and cons for citizens of the state of the Russian Federation
The government in Russia does not prohibit the Russians from having two documents, but the concealment of this fact carries a separate responsibility. By law, the offender is administratively or criminally liable for concealing his new status. About 1000 rubles will have to pay for the provision of untruthful, incomplete or untimely information.
Since 2017, bipatrides who have hidden their status in Russia are sentenced to 400 hours of corrective labor or to imprisonment for a fixed term. Dual citizenship (we have already described the pros and cons for Russian citizens) has now become a more understandable concept. To avoid problems with the law, you should only not violate the law. But the law enforcement bodies of the Russian Federation themselves declare the lack of resources for finding citizens who have hidden their new status.
Multiple citizenship between Ukraine and Russia
Today, the question often arises of whether it is worth registering dual citizenship? What are the pros and cons for citizens of the state of Ukraine and Russia? The laws of Ukraine do not support the multiple statuses of their citizens, but also do not prohibit. If a Ukrainian receives a permanent residence in another country, then he can obtain the citizenship of the country of residence. The laws of the countries of Russia and Ukraine are very different. But, despite this, due to the difficult situation in the powers, many Russians and Ukrainians are trying to obtain bipatrid status.
To date, between these states, not only are there no such agreements, but they are not considered in principle. In fact, it turns out that in order for a Ukrainian to acquire Russian citizenship, he should abandon his native country; for a Russian, consent to Ukrainian citizenship also leads to the rejection of Russian citizenship.
It is known that since 2016, between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the question arises of introducing a visa regime. In order to cross the borders of these powers in the future, Ukrainians and Russians will have to apply for visas. Therefore, if citizens of these countries will be able to receive multiple citizenship, then this will facilitate border crossing.
This article is intended for those who do not yet know the answers to questions about what dual citizenship is, what are the pros and cons for citizens? The essay was written in order to answer these questions and help people who decided to conquer foreign countries.