Who is a stateless person?
A person who is not a citizen of Uzbekistan and has no proof of citizenship of another state. Statelessness can mean a life without education, without medical care, or legal employment.
This section provides information for individuals in Uzbekistan who are stateless or at risk of statelessness, as well as those who lack legal documentation. You may be stateless if:
- You do not have citizenship of any country.
- You were born in the USSR/Uzbekistan but never obtained citizenship of Uzbekistan.
Being stateless means you do not have official papers confirming your nationality, which can limit access to education, healthcare, and employment.
How to apply for stateless status in Uzbekistan?
Applications for stateless status are handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If you reside in Uzbekistan, you should apply at the local Internal Affairs office (usually the district/city migration and citizenship department) for your area. There, you need to inform them that you are stateless and wish to legalize your status in Uzbekistan. The officials will guide you through the procedure but be prepared to provide information about your personal history and former citizenship (if any).
Required documents: Try to gather any documents you have that prove your identity and residence in Uzbekistan. Along with bringing photos and filling out application form, this may include:
- Identity documents: e.g. an old Soviet passport, a residence registration (прописка) in Uzbekistan, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or any identity cards. Even if they are expired or from another country.
- Proof of lack of citizenship: You will be asked to obtain a letter or certificate from the embassy of your former country stating that you are not their citizen, or that they cannot confirm your citizenship.
There is no fee for the application to be recognized as stateless. Once you submit your documents, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will review your case. They will verify that you do not have any foreign citizenship. This verification can take some time, especially if inquiries must be sent to foreign authorities. If your application is approved, you will be issued an identification document for a stateless person. This ID document confirms your legal status as a stateless person in Uzbekistan and usually serves as your personal identification within the country.
What are my rights and obligations after being recognized as stateless person?
When you receive a stateless person’s ID (вид на жительство для лица без гражданства), you gain the legal right to reside in Uzbekistan on a long-term basis. As a stateless resident of Uzbekistan, you have the right to work (you can be employed without needing a work permit, just like other permanent residents), to access healthcare and education, and to move freely within Uzbekistan. As a stateless person you must follow the laws of Uzbekistan at all times. Keep in mind that stateless persons, like foreign citizens, cannot vote in Uzbekistan.
Naturalization: How stateless persons can become Uzbek citizens
Many stateless people in Uzbekistan eventually qualify for citizenship through a process called naturalization. As a stateless person, you can apply to become a citizen of Uzbekistan, provided you meet certain requirements.
General requirements: Under the Law “On Citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, a stateless person may be granted Uzbek citizenship in the general order if they fulfill these main conditions:
- Permanent residence: You have been residing in Uzbekistan for at least the last 5 years on a legal permanent basis.
- Lawful source of income: You have a legitimate means of living (for example, employment, business, pension or other income) and are not likely to become a public burden.
- Language knowledge: You have a basic knowledge of the Uzbek language sufficient for communication.
- Obeying laws: You respect the Constitution and laws of Uzbekistan and have not committed serious crimes. Good character is expected.
You do not need to have any relatives in Uzbekistan to apply under the general procedure.
How to apply for citizenship: You can apply once you meet the criteria. The application is submitted to the Internal Affairs (police) department at your place of residence in Uzbekistan. You will need to fill out the required application forms and submit supporting documents.
After you submit your application, it will be reviewed by the internal affairs authorities and then sent to the Office of the President of Uzbekistan for final decision. The process can take several months up to a year or more, as it involves background checks and approval by presidential decree. If your application is approved, you will receive a certificate of citizenship. You can then apply for a passport of Uzbekistan. All minor children included in your application will generally also receive citizenship along with you.
Special simplified procedure of naturalization: If you have lived in Uzbekistan permanently since before 1 January 1995 and still do not have citizenship, you are eligible for immediate citizenship under the 2020 amendments. In fact, the law explicitly grants citizenship to stateless persons who arrived before 1 January 1995 and obtained a residence permit (stateless ID) in Uzbekistan before the new law came into effect in April 2020. This provision was designed to eliminate statelessness from the USSR period. If you belong to this category, you should apply for recognition as a citizen under this rule. The procedure is simpler: you still apply through the Internal Affairs (police) department, but you do not need to meet the 5-year requirement and you don’t need to prove language or income. Essentially, the government will confirm your long-term residence status and then grant you citizenship by decree. Importantly, your children will also acquire citizenship once you are recognized as a citizen.