Protected: Information for Stateless People in Tajikistan

Tajikistan does not yet have a dedicated law on statelessness, but people without any nationality can apply for legal status through the general residency and identity documentation procedures administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), specifically the Passport Registration Service. 

     1. Contact the Relevant Authority 

To begin the process, contact the Passport Registration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and state that you are stateless and would like to legalize your status. 

• In Dushanbe, you can inquire at the Department of Visas and Registration or the Department on Citizenship and Work with Refugees (DCWR), located at 2 Abai Street, Dushanbe. 
• In other regions, go to the local police passport registration office. 

You may be asked to complete an application form or provide a written statement describing how you became stateless or why you have no nationality. 

2. Prepare and Submit Supporting Documentation

You should submit any documents that support your identity and demonstrate the lack of any nationality. These may include: 

• An old Soviet passport (if available) or a birth certificate. 
• A letter or certificate from a foreign embassy or consulate confirming that you are not their citizen. 
• Proof of residence in Tajikistan, such as registration papers, utility bills, or rental agreements. 
• Witness statements or notarized affidavits from family or community members confirming your stateless status. 

The burden is on the applicant to show that no state considers them a citizen under its laws. Authorities may contact foreign governments or embassies to verify. 

3. Seek Legal Assistance (if needed)

In practice, applicants may have difficulty obtaining proof of non-nationality, especially from foreign embassies. If you face challenges, do not be discouraged.  

UNHCR and its partner Right and Prosperity offer free legal assistance to stateless persons.  

4. Registration and Legal Status

If your application is accepted, you may receive a residence permit confirming your status as a stateless resident of Tajikistan. While the country is not a party to the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, national law allows for stateless people to be issued documents similar to those issued to foreign nationals. 

With this residence permit, you must also register your place of residence. 

If you have been officially recognized as a stateless person in Tajikistan, you are granted many of the same rights and responsibilities as other foreign permanent residents and some same as citizens. According to national law, stateless persons enjoy the same freedoms and duties as citizens, except in cases where the law specifies otherwise. 

Your rights as stateless person in Tajikistan 

As a stateless person with legal status in Tajikistan, you have the right to: 

• Live in Tajikistan legally: You will receive a residence permit, which acts as your official ID and confirms your legal status in the country. 
• Move freely within Tajikistan: There are no area restrictions for stateless persons. You can live in any region, as long as you register your address with the local authorities. 
• Work and start a business: You are allowed to work without a separate work permit. You can be employed, run your own business, or be self-employed, like any other resident. 
• Access education: You and your children can attend schools and universities on the same terms as Tajik citizens. 
• Use healthcare services: Public health facilities are available to you. You may need to pay standard fees, but you will be treated the same as local residents. 
• Receive social support: If you qualify, you may access government assistance or programs for low-income or vulnerable families, just like other residents. 
• Rent and own property: You can rent housing and own personal property. You may also buy an apartment or house, although owning land directly is restricted. 
• Register your children’s citizenship: If your child is born in Tajikistan and you hold a permanent residence permit, the child will usually receive Tajik citizenship at birth. 
• Apply for citizenship: After living in Tajikistan with a residence permit for 2.5 years, you can apply for Tajik citizenship through a simplified process. 

Your obligations as stateless person in Tajikistan 

With legal status come responsibilities. As a stateless person in Tajikistan, you are expected to: 

• Follow all national laws: You must obey the laws of Tajikistan, including civil, criminal, and administrative rules. 
• Keep your documents valid: Make sure your residence permit is renewed on time. If you move, register your new address with the local authorities within the required timeframe. 
• Use the correct documents when traveling: You should not leave and re-enter Tajikistan using a visa or tourist permit. Use your official stateless resident document. 
• Inform the authorities of changes: If you change your name, marital status, place of residence, or acquire a new nationality, report it to the authorities as soon as possible. 
• Avoid any illegal behavior: Serious violations of the law could lead to penalties, cancellation of your residence status, or removal from the country. 

• The birth of a child should be registered as soon as possible after birth. While the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan allows for late birth registration, such registration is subject to specific procedural requirements and the submission of relevant documentation. 
• In cases of late registration, the process will require more complex legal procedures, will incur additional administrative and financial costs and may require legal accompaniment. 

Tajikistan’s citizenship law allows a shorter residency period for stateless persons to apply for nationality. Stateless people can apply after only 2.5 years of permanent residence (half the normal period). In other words, once you have been a permanent resident for two and a half years, you become eligible to apply for Tajikistani citizenship under a simplified procedure.  

Aside from the residency period, you will need to meet other standard criteria for naturalization, which typically include: 

• Some basic knowledge of the Tajik language might be required. 
• No serious criminal record. 
• Ability to support yourself (or a stable job) is sometimes considered. 

Application process: You’ll submit an application to the Passport Registration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This includes forms, your stateless identity document, proof of residence duration, etc.  

UNHCR Partner NGO “Right and Prosperity” provides free legal counselling assistance for stateless people. The partner can advise on the following issues: 

• Birth registration and late birth registration; 
• Legalization of the stay on the territory of Tajikistan; 
• Nationality confirmation; 
• Acquiring residence permits or citizenship.