The Senate at today’s second plenary meeting passed the new version of the Citizenship Law. The document defines such concepts as “residence permit”, “citizen of a foreign state”, “citizen of Uzbekistan permanently residing abroad”, “stateless person” and others.

In order to realize the president’s constitutional powers on deciding on citizenship issues, Uzbekistan will form a Commission on Citizenship Issues under the President for a period of five years.

In addition, the Law introduces the requirement to know the state language at the communication level. The procedure for determining the state language proficiency shall be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

In addition to the general procedure for admission to citizenship, a simplified and exceptional citizenship granting procedure is to be introduced. The simplified admission procedure applies to a compatriot who is a citizen of a foreign state or a stateless person if he:

• has at least one relative in a direct ascending line living in the territory of Uzbekistan and being a citizen of the republic;
• has a legitimate source of livelihood;
• undertakes to comply with the Constitution of Uzbekistan;
• speaks the state language to the extent necessary for communication.

In an exceptional manner, the president, based on national interests, can grant citizenship of Uzbekistan to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons.

A person who arrived and was permanently registered in the territory of Uzbekistan before January 1, 1995, who was not granted the citizenship of a foreign state and who lived in the republic before the entry into force of this law on the basis of a residence permit upon recognition of his desire, is recognized as a citizen of Uzbekistan.

A child whose parents are recognized as citizens of Uzbekistan who has not reached the age of 14 years prior to the date of their joint arrival and permanent residence in the republic is also recognized as a citizen of Uzbekistan.

The law sets out the procedure for obtaining citizenship by birth, determining the citizenship of a child whose parents are not citizens of Uzbekistan, acquiring a child citizenship upon adoption, and others.