Starting from November 23, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs began withdrawing acquired citizenship from individuals who did not finish the mandatory oath procedure after naturalization. The policy rests on the established standards and the presidential decree that governs citizenship matters. In practice, the oath is presented as a binding pledge of loyalty and allegiance, one of the final steps in the naturalization chain. Officials say that completing the oath demonstrates full integration and acceptance of citizenship responsibilities, including civic duties and language standards, and the protection of the constitution. When the oath is not completed within the designated timeframe, the government has a mechanism to review and, if necessary, rescind the naturalization decision. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure that naturalized citizens meet all formal criteria and to strengthen oversight of the citizenship process, especially as Russia manages large-scale migration and fine-tunes who becomes a citizen. The decision illustrates how the state enforces procedural compliance and upholds the legal framework for citizenship matters.
According to TASS, citing the press center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the oath-taking window for foreign residents who received Russian passports closed on November 22. Beginning November 23, the ministry has indicated that it will invalidate the decisions to grant citizenship in those cases. The ministry stressed that the measure does not affect individuals who had already obtained a passport before September 1, 2017 or those who were exempt from taking the oath. The official carve-outs reflect ongoing efforts to balance the rule of law with long-standing administrative practices, and they echo the principle that legal status is contingent on meeting all formal steps. The announcement clarifies the timing of the policy and clarifies who remains protected from revocation under the plan.
On November 13, Irina Volk, the ministry’s official representative, stated that the number of people naturalized during the year had fallen by 44 percent. He attributed this sharp decrease to two linked factors: the increasing tendency to recognize new residents as citizens and the tightening checks that accompany the naturalization process. The statement points to a broader framework in which authorities recalibrate how quickly and who is granted citizenship as part of immigration management. The reduction signals a more selective approach to naturalization, with the oath and other procedural steps acting as critical gatekeepers. The official remarks also reflect a broader policy environment in which the state seeks closer alignment between population registration, residency status, and national security concerns.
Previously, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had recommended limiting Ukrainians’ opportunities to live and work in Russia, a move that fed into a wider debate about migration policy and regional security. The context for such guidance lies in ongoing tensions and geopolitical dynamics that influence labor markets and population flows. Observers note that measures tied to naturalization and residency status can have far-reaching effects on families, employers, and communities, affecting everything from employment contracts to long-term residency planning. The ministry’s stance appears aimed at reinforcing control over who enters citizenship pathways, while signaling a preference for strict compliance with official procedures. This approach has drawn attention to the interplay between administrative rules and the lived experiences of foreign nationals seeking lawful residence in Russia.
Taken together, these developments depict a government pushing for greater traceability in naturalization and oath compliance. For foreign nationals in Russia, the policy means heightened scrutiny and a potential change to citizenship status if oath procedures were not completed in time. For Ukrainian residents and other prospective applicants, the announcements emphasize the need to follow every procedural step carefully and to be aware of carve-outs and exemptions. Legal experts note that revocation of citizenship, even in limited cases, has implications for civil status, access to social services, and the ability to travel with a national passport. The ministry’s actions align with a broader trend of tightening immigration controls and ensuring alignment with domestic security and demographic objectives. The evolving regulatory environment underscores the importance of staying informed about changes in citizenship rules and the consequences of noncompliance.