In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), for instance, stateless persons are exempted
from a number of conditions for naturalization, including language proficiency and
proof of livelihood. Article 11(a)(1) of the country’s nationality law reads as follows:
“A stateless person and a recognized refugee may acquire BiH citizenship, without
fulfilling requirements stipulated by Article 9 paragraph (1) subparagraphs 2., 3.,
6., 9. and 10., only if he/she has continually resided in BiH, as a stateless person or
a recognized refugee, for a period of five years preceding the application” (emphasis
added).60 The relevant articles relate to applicants’ knowledge of language and
“permanent source of income in an amount that allows his/her existence or that he/
she is able to provide a reliable proof of funds available for his/her support”.61
3. Laws that lower other documentation requirements for stateless persons
In recognition of the absence of documentation often associated with statelessness,
some States have adjusted their documentation requirements for stateless persons.
Bosnia and Herzegovina provides an example here as well. In 2014, the country’s
government adopted a by-law for facilitated naturalization that exempted stateless
persons from the need to obtain documents from other countries proving lack of
criminal history.62 Similarly, Greece exempts stateless persons from the need to
present a birth certificate (as required of other applicants), allowing them to submit
“any other official certificate”.63
4. Laws that waive or reduce application fees for stateless persons
Along the same lines, a number of States have eliminated or reduced fees and other
administrative costs related to applications for the naturalization of stateless persons.
The relevant legislation in Kosovo (S/RES/1244 (1999)), as reformed in 2013, echoes
the 1954 Convention in calling for competent authorities to “make every effort to
expedite naturalization proceedings and to reduce as far as possible the charges and
costs of such proceedings” (Article 14).
Some States do not eliminate fees for stateless persons but sharply reduce them.
The application fee in Greece, for instance, is 700 euros for regular first-time
applicants but only 100 euros for recognized stateless persons and refugees.
5. Facilitated naturalization of children and other kin of stateless persons
Although not required by the 1954 Convention, some States facilitate the naturalization
of the children and other family members of stateless persons, in recognition of
the importance of family unity and the need to reinforce safeguards against child
statelessness. For instance, Kosovo’s (S/RES/1244 (1999)) law stipulates that family
members of stateless persons are entitled to acquire citizenship (Article 15(2)).
60 Law on citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Art. 11, available at: www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1155041/1226_1471601612_bih-lawcitizenship-1997-am2013-en.pdf.
61 Ibid., Art. 9.
62 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bylaw of 2014 on specified evidence of eligibility for acquisition of the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina
through naturalization or facilitated naturalization, 29 January 2014, Art. 7, available at: www.refworld.org/docid/531721a14.html.
63 See Art. 6(3)(d) of Law 3838/2010, supra.
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