Language, history and Constitution: Zelensky signs law on exams for citizenship

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed the law on new rules for acquiring citizenship, which provides for exams on the knowledge of the Ukrainian language, the history of Ukraine, and the Constitution.

The information about relevant Law No. 7606 "On Amendments to the Laws of Ukraine ‘On Citizenship of Ukraine’ and ‘On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as a State Language’ Regarding the Conditions for Confirming Ukrainian Citizenship" is published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada.

According to the document, persons seeking to obtain Ukrainian citizenship must pass exams on the knowledge of the Ukrainian language, the history of Ukraine and the Constitution.

Foreigners or stateless persons who have outstanding merits for Ukraine, whose admission to Ukrainian citizenship is in the state interest, or who, in accordance with the procedure established by law, perform military service under a contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service or the National Guard of Ukraine, persons who received a temporary residence permit, within two years from the moment of acquiring citizenship, must pass the relevant exams and provide documents on passing such exams.

Non-fulfillment of the obligation to pass these exams by the specified categories of persons is the basis for the loss of Ukrainian citizenship.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted this law on March 21.