Date of publication:

01/08/2026

Tajikistan

Do domestic laws and policies provide refugees and stateless persons access to naturalization?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Assessment by population
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Stateless persons
Analysis

Tajikistan does provide pathways for refugees and stateless persons to access naturalization, though this is subject to specific legal conditions. In accordance with Article No. 14 of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Citizenship, foreign nationals and stateless persons may be granted citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan upon application. Foreign nationals and stateless persons who are 18 years or older, regardless of nationality, race, gender, language, religious beliefs, political views, education, or social or economic status, have the right to apply for citizenship.

Additionally, under Part No. 1, Paragraph No.10 of Article No. 12 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Refugees, individuals granted refugee status, along with their family members, may apply for citizenship in accordance with the procedures established by the country's legislation.

It should be noted that, according to Article No.13 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Refugees, obtaining a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Tajikistan or acquiring Tajik citizenship automatically results in the termination of the previously granted refugee status.

However, the process can be complex, and applicants must meet various requirements, such as proving their legal status and fulfilling residence criteria. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is generally responsible for reviewing naturalization applications, including those from refugees and stateless persons.  So, while the legal framework permits access to naturalization, practical challenges such as bureaucracy and documentation may influence the process.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Citizenship Law of the Republic of Tajikistan

    Legal provision

    Article 14 - Admission to Citizenship

    1) Foreign citizens and stateless persons may be admitted to the citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan based on their petition in accordance with this constitutional law. 2) Foreign citizens and stateless persons who have reached the age of eighteen, regardless of nationality, race, gender, language, religion, political stance, education, social and/or financial status, have the right to apply for admission to the citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan.

    Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Refugees

    Legal provision

    Article 12 - Rights and Duties of an Individual Recognized as a Refugee

    1. An individual recognized as a refugee and their accompanying family members have the right to: Receive information about their rights and duties, as well as other information in accordance with this Law; Reside in the Republic of Tajikistan for the duration of their refugee status, in the locations determined by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Exclusion; Settle independently with a citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan or a foreign citizen or stateless person permanently residing in the Republic of Tajikistan, in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Tajikistan; Exclusion; Participate in integration programs developed by the State Migration Authority; Receive medical care, employment, or engage in business activities, in accordance with the regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Tajikistan, unless otherwise specified; Receive primary and secondary education; Receive assistance from the State Migration Authority in obtaining information about relatives residing in the country of the refugee's citizenship or previous place of residence; Apply to the internal affairs authorities at their place of residence for assistance in obtaining travel documents for themselves and their family members, in coordination with the national security authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan; Obtain a residence permit and other relevant documents at the internal affairs authorities at their place of residence in the prescribed manner; Submit an application for permanent residence in the Republic of Tajikistan based on grounds unrelated to their refugee status or for acquiring citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan; Voluntarily return to their country of citizenship (previous place of residence); Leave for another country for residence; Receive financial and other assistance as determined by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Enjoy other rights provided by the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan for foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the Republic of Tajikistan. 2. An individual recognized as a refugee and their accompanying family members are obliged to: Comply with the requirements of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, this Law, and other regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Tajikistan; Register with the internal affairs authorities at their place of residence no later than three working days after receiving their refugee certificate, if settling independently; After receiving a temporary settlement directive from the State Migration Authority, leave for the designated settlement location within three working days, and register at the local internal affairs authority within three working days of arrival; Provide the State Migration Authority with information about changes in their surname, first name, family composition, marital status, acquisition of Tajik citizenship or citizenship of another state, or obtaining permanent residence status in the Republic of Tajikistan no later than one working week after the change; Notify the State Migration Authority of any intent to change their place of residence within the Republic of Tajikistan or leave the country; Upon changing their residence, deregister from the internal affairs authority and register at the new place of residence within three working days; Undergo annual re-registration within the time frames established by the State Migration Authority; Fulfill other duties provided by the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan for foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the Republic of Tajikistan.

    Article 13 - Termination of refugee status andrevocation.

    Refugee status is terminated in several situations, such as acquiring permanent residence or citizenship in another country, voluntarily returning to their home country, or when the circumstances that led to their refugee status no longer exist. A person can also lose refugee status if they provide false information or documents, pose a threat to national security, or meet conditions outlined in the law. The decision to terminate or re-voke refugee sta-tus is made by a joint commission of internal affairs agencies. The person is notified within five working days. If refugee status is lost, the person must leave Tajikistan within a month if they do not appeal the de-cision. If refugee status is revoked, they lose the right to use temporary housing provided by the authorities.