Legal Regulation of Citizenship in Uzbekistan: General Overview

Citizenship represents a stable political and legal connection between an individual and the state, based on mutual rights and obligations. In Uzbekistan, the institution of citizenship is a key element of the legal system, ensuring the protection of individual rights, the implementation of equality principles, and the inadmissibility of discrimination. This article aims to analyze the current Law “On Citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan” (hereinafter – the Law), review its key provisions, and identify problematic aspects.

Legislation on citizenship in Uzbekistan is based on the Constitution and international treaties to which the republic is a party. Article 4 of the Law establishes a single citizenship for the entire country, including the citizens of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The fundamental principle is the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, or other characteristics.

Of particular importance is Article 11, which establishes the inadmissibility of extraditing citizens of Uzbekistan to a foreign state, except in cases explicitly provided for by international treaties.

Acquisition of Citizenship

The Law provides several grounds for acquiring citizenship:

• By birth
• By adoption
• Through admission or restoration
• Under international treaties

Special attention is given to children: they may retain citizenship even when their parents’ citizenship changes. An important feature is the simplified procedure for compatriots, reflecting the state’s desire to maintain ties with the diaspora.

Termination of Citizenship

Citizenship may be terminated by:

• Voluntary renunciation
• Loss of citizenship on several grounds, including:
  • Entering service in foreign state bodies,
  • Providing false information when applying for citizenship,
  • Voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship.

The Law contains detailed procedures for identifying such cases, assigning powers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and consular institutions.

Commission under the President

A key role is played by the Commission on Citizenship Issues under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Chapter 9). It reviews applications, submits proposals to the President, and analyzes law enforcement practice. Decisions on admission, restoration, or renunciation of citizenship are made exclusively by the President through decrees.

International Legal Aspects

The Law explicitly provides for the priority of international treaties. This allows integration of national regulation into the global human rights protection system. In particular, provisions concerning children and stateless persons take into account the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Responsibility and Control

Violations of citizenship legislation entail legal liability. In addition, an Interdepartmental Database has been created to record applications and monitor processing deadlines, contributing to digitalization and transparency of procedures.

The Law “On Citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan” demonstrates the state’s commitment to ensuring a balance between sovereign interests and international obligations. Its development reflects a trend toward humanizing procedures, strengthening guarantees for children and compatriots, and digitalizing administration.

Grounds for Acquisition of Citizenship of Uzbekistan

Ground	Legal Norm	Conditions
By birth	Art. 14	One or both parents are citizens of Uzbekistan; parents are stateless; child found on the territory of Uzbekistan
By adoption	Art. 16	Adoptive parents are citizens of Uzbekistan, or one of them is a citizen
Admission to citizenship (general procedure)	Art. 19	Residence permit ≥ 5 years, legal income, knowledge of state language, renunciation of other citizenship
Admission to citizenship (simplified procedure)	Art. 20	Relatives in Uzbekistan, legal income, knowledge of state language
Admission under exceptional procedure	Art. 21	Presidential decision in national interests
Restoration of citizenship	Art. 22	Person was previously a citizen of Uzbekistan; loss was not due to serious grounds

 

Grounds for Termination of Citizenship

Ground	Legal Norm	Content
Voluntary renunciation	Art. 24	Based on a personal application
Loss of citizenship	Art. 25	- Entering service in foreign state bodies and armed forces - Failure to register with consulate for more than 7 years - Providing false information when acquiring citizenship - Causing significant harm to the interests of the state - Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship - Reaching 21 years of age with foreign citizenship by birth and failure to renounce it