The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH has prepared a new Rulebook on the procedure for admission to citizenship of persons who are considered to be of particular benefit to BiH, which significantly tightens the criteria for obtaining BiH citizenship. citizenship for artists, doctors, scientists, businessmen and athletes from other countries, who until now, based on their titles or professions, have acquired the right to BH. passport under much easier conditions compared to other applicants, he learns Report.
For years, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been awarding citizenships of our country to persons “of particular benefit” to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This category of candidates for obtaining a BiH passport includes persons who have achieved significant results in the fields of culture, science, education, sports, economy and other fields, and who can contribute to the development, prosperity and international affirmation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tips and recommendations without explanation
However, it turned out that the recommendations to foreign citizens and candidates for BiH. citizenship on that basis, given lightly, and that BiH passports were also given to persons who later turned out to be “not of special use” for BiH, which was the basic condition for them to be registered in the book of citizens of our country.
The new Ordinance on admission to citizenship of persons “of particular benefit to Bosnia and Herzegovina” changes almost everything that has been understood for years, from who is allowed to propose a candidate, to how the applicant’s personal and professional value is proven.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina has already submitted the rulebook to public consultations, and it will soon be before the Council of Ministers.
In the explanation of the document, they state that “recommendations from competent bodies are easily obtained”, and as they point out, a large number of recommendations have so far been “brief, incomplete and without substantial explanation”.
The biggest change concerns who can even propose that someone be considered a person of special benefit.
While until now proposals could be submitted by the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, entity chambers of commerce, and even various lower-ranking organizations, the new rulebook completely abolishes this.
Involvement of OSABiH in the procedure
The proposal that a person is considered to be of special benefit to BiH, with a detailed explanation of the grounds and importance of acquiring citizenship for our country according to the new rulebook, can only be submitted by the Presidency of BiH, the competent ministry at the level of BiH, the Government of FBiH, the Government of the RS, the Government of Brčko District, the Olympic Committee of BiH and the registered sports federation at the level of BiH.
Another big news is related to documentation. The previous rulebook only required a birth certificate, proof of citizenship of the country of origin, marital status, residency application and recommendation.
The new rulebook stipulates that a person must have a certificate of non-punishment for serious criminal offenses from the country of origin and from BiH, with additional confirmation that no criminal proceedings are being conducted. In addition, the candidate must prove that he has settled all tax obligations, not only as a natural person but also as a businessman, if he is the owner of a company or trade.
For the first time, the Rulebook prescribes mandatory proof of knowledge of one of the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Test certificates, diplomas and other formal proofs become an indispensable part of the documentation. Exceptions are only citizens of Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro, as well as those who previously had BH. citizenship.
The financial security of the candidate is also examined in more detail. An employment contract, pension, income from property or an amount in a bank account in the amount of three average net salaries, all of this now becomes a mandatory attachment to the application.
At the end, a statement on the acceptance of the legal system and constitutional order of BiH is introduced, which was not prescribed so clearly before.
A particularly significant change relates to security checks. While previously it was practically checked only that the person was not expelled or removed from the country, the new rulebook explicitly introduces the Intelligence and Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the procedure.
OSA BiH will check whether the state has intelligence data on the candidate, as well as possible security risks that his citizenship could represent.
If the Council of Ministers adopts the document in this form, the road to BiH. citizenship will become significantly longer, more serious and reserved only for those who can really prove that they bring more to Bosnia and Herzegovina than a formal status on paper.
However, the question of the need to review earlier citizenships issued on this basis remains open, when it has already been shown that “recommendations were issued lightly”.
