Putin signed a decree on simplified citizenship for residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the simplified acquisition of Russian citizenship by citizens of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Citizens permanently residing in their countries must submit an application to the Russian diplomatic mission. If they live in the Russian Federation, they must submit an application to the territorial body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation — at the place of stay, residence or residence.

Together with the application, foreigners must provide a number of documents: an identity document confirming the citizenship of their country, certificates of changes in personal data, three photographs. In the case of a request for citizenship of a child or an incapacitated person, additional documents will be required.

As reported by EADaily, South Ossetia and On April 19, Russia exchanged instruments of ratification on the settlement of dual citizenship issues. The agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia on the settlement of dual citizenship issues was signed on September 20, 2021. It states that citizens of one party have the right to acquire citizenship of the other party without renouncing their existing citizenship.

More than 1,200 citizens of South Ossetia are waiting for the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship, and this figure has a growing trend, the Foreign Minister of South Ossetia Akhsar Dzhioev told reporters after the signing.

"Residents of our republic, who at the time of recognition of the independence of South Ossetia in August 2008, were citizens of South Ossetia, will be able to submit a package of documents for obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner," the Foreign Minister explained.