New Requirements for Citizenship Approved in Kazakhstan

Updated requirements for obtaining citizenship in Kazakhstan, approved by the  Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, came into force on October 8. According to the new legislation, applicants for citizenship or persons restoring it must demonstrate a basic knowledge of the state language, the basics of the Constitution, and an understanding of the country's history. The minimum thresholds are 36 points in the Kazakh language, 9 points in the basics of the Constitution, and 15 points in the history of Kazakhstan. The exam, conducted on a quarterly basis by National Testing Center (NTC), takes two hours and ten minutes with an additional 30 minutes for people with special needs. Of the 100 tests set under three categories,  60 questions relating to the Kazakh language, include 20 listening and 40 reading tasks; the Constitution section covers 15 issues, and the history of Kazakhstan, 25. Applicants must achieve a score of at least 60 points to pass the exam, and if successful, will be issued with an electronic certificate valid for two years. The prerequisites for new requirements for knowledge of the state language and the history of Kazakhstan for obtaining citizenship relate to the government's efforts to strengthen national identity, dictated by the need to integrate new citizens into society and the growing public demand for support of the Kazakh language. The amendments are based on the practices of other countries, including Germany, Canada, and Turkey. For example, Germany requires applicants for citizenship to have a high level of German language proficiency and respect for German cultural traditions. In Canada, applicants must understand the history and responsibilities of citizenship and take an English or French language test, depending on the province. Similarly, Turkey requires applicants to demonstrate a knowledge of  the Turkish language.

Uzbekistan Launches Mechanism for Recognizing Foreign Citizens as “Undesirable” Elements

In its second and third readings, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) approved amendments to the law regulating the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons within the country. The key innovation was a move to recognize foreign citizens as undesirable elements who will not be permitted to stay in Uzbekistan. The grounds for declaring the stay of foreign citizens and stateless persons unacceptable may be public calls or actions that contradict state sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the country, provoke interstate, social, national, racial, and religious enmity, or discredit the honor, dignity, and history of the people of Uzbekistan. The law provides for a five-year ban on such persons entering Uzbekistan, opening bank accounts, acquiring real estate, participating in the privatization of state property, and entering into financial and contractual relations. The document also defines the procedure for deporting persons not permitted to stay in the country. Before this new law can enter into force, it must be approved by the Senate and signed by the president.