Lithuanian govt tightens citizenship procedures

VILNIUS - The Lithuanian government on Wednesday tightened the existing citizenship procedures and shortened the deadline for submitting documents for dual citizenship.

"The amendments are aimed at making the procedures for loss of citizenship more efficient. Our goal is to prevent abuse cases and ensure national security," Interior Vice Minister Arnoldas Abramavicius said.

The changes will speed up decisions on the loss of Lithuanian citizenship in cases where a person acquires citizenship of another state, the Interior Ministry said.

The deadline for submitting documents to prove that a Lithuanian citizen who has acquired citizenship of another state is entitled to multiple citizenship has been shortened from six to three months.

The Interior Ministry says the changes are aimed at preventing prevent persons who are not entitled to both Lithuanian citizenship and citizenship of another country from enjoying the benefits of a Lithuanian passport and a passport of another state at the same time.

If the Migration Department does not have sufficient data to confirm that a Lithuanian citizen is entitled to multiple citizenship, it will send a notice to the person to submit documents to prove their right to dual citizenship within three months at the latest.

This deadline may be extended once by the Migration Department, but no more than for two months, upon receipt of a motivated request from the person. If the person fails to submit the requested documents by the specified deadline, the Migration Department will initiate the procedure for stripping the person of their Lithuanian citizenship.

Lithuanian citizens must notify the Lithuanian Migration via its information system within two months after acquiring citizenship of another country.