Russia Ratifies Agreement on Dual Citizenship with South Ossetia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law ratifying the agreement on dual citizenship between South Ossetia and Russia. This agreement stipulates that residents of one country will be able to obtain citizenship of the other country without renouncing their existing citizenship.

Residents of South Ossetia aged 18 and above will be able to apply for Russian citizenship through a simplified procedure. Children under the age of 14 will receive the same citizenship as their parents.

The agreement between South Ossetia and Russia was signed in 2021. It will come into effect from the date of the exchange of ratification documents. The agreement is intended to be valid for five years and will be automatically extended for the same period. To terminate it, one side must provide written notice six months prior to the expiration of the agreement.

On March 30, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov announced intentions to join Russia.