born in USSR confusion

[kinaspissuh]

Hi all !
Im so confused in regards of what should I write in Section 13.

I was born in Kazakhstan then 3 years later moved with my parent to Ukraine. Both republics were in USSR back then. However, Ukraine got it's independence in 1991, and as far as Im aware who ever lived there at the moment have automatically become ukrainian citizens, unless otherwise claimed. I only got my ukrainian passport when I turned 16 (thats the law).

Is this correct statement??
1. USSR, Kazakhstan | status: citizen | Date obtained: My date of birth | 1991
2. Ukraine | status: citizen | Date obtained: 1991 | current

Or should I write date I moved to Ukraine (1984 instead of 1991) ?
Oh and btw, on my birth certificate there are absolutely nothing written about citizenship. Only nationality, which is Russian LOL this is co confusing And I dont even remember what did I list in my 2012 PR application form.

Any advice pls? Is anyone in the same boat?
Cheers!

 

[rrlmushu]

i will put it like that. If they need more info they will request, probably they know how it is

 

[Natan]

Hi all !
Im so confused in regards of what should I write in Section 13.

I was born in Kazakhstan then 3 years later moved with my parent to Ukraine. Both republics were in USSR back then. However, Ukraine got it's independence in 1991, and as far as Im aware who ever lived there at the moment have automatically become ukrainian citizens, unless otherwise claimed. I only got my ukrainian passport when I turned 16 (thats the law).

Is this correct statement??
1. USSR, Kazakhstan | status: citizen | Date obtained: My date of birth | 1991
2. Ukraine | status: citizen | Date obtained: 1991 | current

Or should I write date I moved to Ukraine (1984 instead of 1991) ?
Oh and btw, on my birth certificate there are absolutely nothing written about citizenship. Only nationality, which is Russian LOL this is co confusing And I dont even remember what did I list in my 2012 PR application form.

Any advice pls? Is anyone in the same boat?
Cheers!

1. USSR | status: citizen | Date obtained: My date of birth | 1991
2. Ukraine | status: citizen | Date obtained: 1991 | current

- I removed Kazakhstan because you were never a citizen of Kazakhstan.
- You became a Ukrainian citizen upon its independence, not before.

"Nationality", as listed in Soviet documents, properly translates as "ethnicity" or "race" in North America; and has nothing to do with "citizenship", from a Canadian perspective. While you may be ethnically Russian, you were never a Russian citizen, as Russian citizenship, as defined in international law, did not exist between 1922 and 1991.

 

[Purke23]

Hi all !
Im so confused in regards of what should I write in Section 13.

I was born in Kazakhstan then 3 years later moved with my parent to Ukraine. Both republics were in USSR back then. However, Ukraine got it's independence in 1991, and as far as Im aware who ever lived there at the moment have automatically become ukrainian citizens, unless otherwise claimed. I only got my ukrainian passport when I turned 16 (thats the law).

Is this correct statement??
1. USSR, Kazakhstan | status: citizen | Date obtained: My date of birth | 1991
2. Ukraine | status: citizen | Date obtained: 1991 | current

Or should I write date I moved to Ukraine (1984 instead of 1991) ?
Oh and btw, on my birth certificate there are absolutely nothing written about citizenship. Only nationality, which is Russian LOL this is co confusing And I dont even remember what did I list in my 2012 PR application form.

Any advice pls? Is anyone in the same boat?
Cheers!

Just write RUSSIA!!

 

[Natan]

Just write RUSSIA!!

That is really bad advice, as you are instructing OP to make a willful misrepresentation on their citizenship application, which could result in severe, if not life changing, consequences.

OP is not now, nor ever was, a citizen of the Russian Federation. OP was a citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and became a citizen of Ukraine upon dissolution of the USSR.

 

[kinaspissuh]

Thanks guys!
What Natan said makes sense to me. Should I write any explanation letter to clarify things for them about ethnicity and that even though i moved to ukraine mid 80s I was still under ussr citizenship and become ukrainian in 1991? Or not necessary at all? I suspect they might have received tons of applications with exact same stories and well aware of this
thanks again!

Purke23 seems like you're not being serious and simply trolling :|

 

[zeeshan35]

From what I can gather from your conversations is, you are looking for answers to two questions
Place of birth - This would be what the place was called at the time of your birth.
Current citizenship - This is an easy, it is the current passport you hold.

As far is moving is concerned, when you moved places, was it still USSR or split up?

Its easy for the folks to answer these questions but before submitting applications please consult a lawyer. You are not the only one with the situation, there are many more facing the same issues.

 

[Natan]

Place of birth - This would be what the place was called at the time of your birth.

This is incorrect. Place of birth is what it is called today. OP's place of birth is: The Republic of Kazakhstan, not the USSR.

 

[kinaspissuh]

No im not looking to ask 2 questions. It has nothing to do with Place of birth. In section 13 there is a very straightforward question, "have you ever had immigration or citizenship status in any other country other then Canada, including your country of birth?"

- was it still USSR or split up?
Both Kaz and Ukraine were USSR at that time. I move to Ukr in 84 and it became independent in 91. Basically I spent 3years in Kaz and then Ukraine. And then 7 years after Ukr became an independent country.

 

[Natan]

Should I write any explanation letter to clarify things for them about ethnicity and that even though i moved to ukraine mid 80s I was still under ussr citizenship and become ukrainian in 1991? Or not necessary at all?|

Not necessary. Writing a note may only raise unnecessary questions and cause delays.

 

[kinaspissuh]

Oh man.. there is so much controversy going on ) some folks advice to provide with as many letters as possible to help clarify things and that it would show that if you're not 100% sure about something at least you'r being honest and give explanations. On another hand there some other people would tell you to avoid such things cuz it can potentially make things worse and confuse cic. And if they get confused when somethings is not ordinary in your application this can delay everytihng...

 

[Natan]

Oh man.. there is so much controversy going on ) some folks advice to provide with as many letters as possible to help clarify things and that it would show that if you're not 100% sure about something at least you'r being honest and give explanations. On another hand there some other people would tell you to avoid such things cuz it can potentially make things worse and confuse cic. And if they get confused when somethings is not ordinary in your application this can delay everytihng...

As regards your USSR and Ukrainian citizenships, there's absolutely no need to include a letter -- doing so will only serve to confuse. IRCC knows that the USSR was dissolved. And they know that "nationality" on USSR passports were for internal use only, as all USSR passport holders were USSR citizens, regardless of their "nationality".

 

[sashali78]

Oh man.. there is so much controversy going on ) some folks advice to provide with as many letters as possible to help clarify things and that it would show that if you're not 100% sure about something at least you'r being honest and give explanations. On another hand there some other people would tell you to avoid such things cuz it can potentially make things worse and confuse cic. And if they get confused when somethings is not ordinary in your application this can delay everytihng...

Do exactly same thing as you did for PR. In my opinion avoid notes, just answer the questions on the form. If it is of any help, i had a similar situation and my country of birth circles between USSR and Ukraine on every application i ever did with CIC. I just use the latest found on CIC website/my file.

 

[devilhimselff]

Add a letter. Remember delays are not an issue when it comes to things like this, better late than sorry. By providing explanation letter you are covering all bases, and no risk of any misrepresentation.

Also call cic and discuss the issue.

 

[Natan]

Add a letter. Remember delays are not an issue when it comes to things like this, better late than sorry. By providing explanation letter you are covering all bases, and no risk of any misrepresentation.

Also call cic and discuss the issue.

Do you have experience with the issues surrounding former USSR citizens as regards travel document, PR and citizenship applications in Canada?