Archive · 29 May 2025
Russians and Belarusians Face Stateless Status in Serbia
Some Russians and Belarusians in Serbia are stuck without citizenship after renouncing their original ones.
They've been waiting for Serbian citizenship for a long time, unable to travel freely.
This situation affects their daily lives, like attending family events or working.
The delays might be due to extra checks or international relations.
Some experts say this long wait is unfair, while others point out that every country has the right to check applications carefully.
Meanwhile, there's also a surge in demand for Serbian passports, and some influential Russians have received them through special processes.
More than 20 Russians and Belarusians in Serbia are awaiting citizenship.
They have lived in Serbia for over a decade, renouncing their original citizenships.
Applicants are stuck in limbo, unable to travel or work freely.
Delays are unexplained, possibly due to extra security checks or international relations.
Demand for Serbian passports has surged in recent years.
- Who
- Over 20 Russians and Belarusians, who previously had citizenship from Russia and Belarus.
- What
- Russians and Belarusians in Serbia are stuck in a citizenship limbo, unable to leave the country after renouncing their original citizenships and waiting for Serbian citizenship.
- When
- Many Russians and Belarusians have been waiting for Serbian citizenship for over a year.
- Where
- Serbia.
- Why
- Reasons for delays remain unclear, possibly due to additional checks or international relations; demand for passports has surged.
- Number of affected people
- 20+
- Average length of residency
- Over a decade
- Length of citizenship process for some
- Over a year and a half
- Renouncing original citizenship
- Required for Serbian citizenship
- Approximate number of Russians settling in Serbia recently
- 80,000-110,000