A New Citizenship Law Has Come into Force in Russia: Who Can Be Deprived of Their Passport?

A new federal law on citizenship came into force in Russia on October 26, which simplifies the process for certain applicants to obtain the country’s passport and establishes a procedure for terminating citizenship instead of an institute for canceling decisions on its granting. The document is published on the official legal information portal.

The corresponding bill was introduced to the State Duma by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 29, 2021. According to the new law, Russian citizenship is recognized as uniform and equal, regardless of the grounds for its acquisition. Citizens cannot be deprived of their citizenship or their right to change it. Living abroad does not terminate citizenship. Additionally, a Russian citizen cannot be expelled from the country or extradited to a foreign state.

The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of social, racial, national, linguistic, or religious affiliation. It also notes that Russia encourages the issuance of passports to persons residing in the country who do not have citizenship.

The new law establishes a procedure for terminating citizenship instead of canceling decisions on its granting. This applies only to those who acquired citizenship not by birth (i.e., the termination of citizenship acquired by birth is not allowed). The list of crimes that entail the termination of Russian citizenship has also been expanded. This includes actions that threaten the national security and territorial integrity of Russia, extremism, incitement to sabotage, military deception, and discrediting the armed forces.

Moreover, this list includes crimes related to the infringement on the life of a state or public figure, destruction or damage to military cemeteries, restoration of Nazism, and other illegal actions.