What should my

How much should I weigh for my height and age? BMI calculator & chart

Many people wish to know the answer to this question: how much should I weigh? However, there is no single ideal weight for all individuals.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

Everybody is different, and various factors play a role in determining each person’s ideal weight. These factors can be biological, such as age, height, and natal sex, but mental factors can be just as important.

An individual may define their ideal weight as the one with which they feel the most comfortable.

However, maintaining a moderate weight can reduce a person’s risk of developing a number of health conditions, including:

• obesity
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• cardiovascular disease (CVD)

However, not everyone with excess weight will develop health issues. However, researchers believe that while this extra weight might not currently affect health, difficulties in managing weight could lead to problems in the future.

Read on to discover the different ways of working out a person’s ideal weight.

BMI is a common tool that measures a person’s weight in relation to their height. A BMI calculation provides a single number, which falls into the following categories:

• A BMI of less than 18.5 means a person is underweight.
• A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal.
• A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is overweight.
• A BMI over 30 indicates obesity.

Body mass index calculator

To calculate BMI, a person can use BMI calculators or review the charts below.

Weight and height guide chart

The following weight and height chart uses BMI tables from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to determine how much a person’s weight should be for their height.

BMI based on age

Age is not a factor in BMI for adults, but it is for children. This is because they are growing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use both age and natal sex in its BMI calculations for people between the ages of 2–19 years.

To calculate a child’s BMI, a person can use the CDC’s calculator for children and teenagers.

The CDC’s BMI charts for children use percentiles that compare measurements with boys and girls of the same age and gender.

What is the problem with BMI?

BMI is a very simple measurement. While it takes height into consideration, it does not account for factors such as:

• waist or hip measurements
• the proportion or distribution of fat
• the proportion of muscle mass

These factors can affect health. For example, high-performance athletes tend to be very fit and have little body fat. They can have a high BMI because they have more muscle mass, but this does not mean they weigh too much for their height.

Another limitation of BMI is that it does not distinguish between people of different ethnicities. Studies have shown that at the same BMI, non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic Black, and Mexican Americans may have significantly different levels of body fat.

This inaccuracy may lead to a misdiagnosis or an incorrect assessment of risk factors between individuals.

BMI can offer a rough idea of whether or not a person is at a moderate weight, and it is useful for measuring trends in population studies.

However, it should not be the only measure for an individual to assess whether their weight is ideal.

Learn more about the limitations of BMI.

A person’s WHR compares their waist size with that of their hips. A high WHR indicates when an individual has higher levels of visceral fat, the fat in the abdominal cavity that surrounds several major organs.

Research has shown that people with a high WHR are more likely to develop CVD and diabetes.

The higher the waist measurement in proportion to the hips, the greater this risk. For this reason, the WHR is a useful tool for calculating whether a person has a moderate weight and size.

Measuring WHR

To calculate their WHR, a person should measure around their waist at the narrowest part, usually just above the belly button. They can then divide this measurement by the width of their hip at its widest part.

For example, if a person’s waist is 28 inches, and their hips are 36 inches, they will divide 28 by 36, giving a WHR of 0.77.

What does it mean?

Optimal WHR differs between sex at birth and ethnicities, according to an older report from 2008 from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Having a high WHR can put people at a higher risk of CVD and other conditions with links to increased weight, such as type 2 diabetes.

The following are average values for WHRs and their associations with health risks.

Health risk	Male	Female
Low risk	below 0.9	below 0.8
Moderate risk	0. 9–0.99	0.8–0.89
High risk	over 1.0	over 0.9

Studies have linked having a high WHR with an increased risk of developing myocardial infarctions, commonly known as heart attacks.

However, as with BMI, the WHR does have limitations. For example, this measure does not measure a person’s total body fat percentage or their muscle-to-fat ratio accurately.

To discover more evidence-based information and resources for obesity & weight management, visit our dedicated hub.

The waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) is another tool that might predict the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and overall mortality more effectively than BMI.

Measuring WtHR

To calculate WtHR, a person should divide their waist size by their height. If the result is 0.5 or less, they are likely to have a moderate weight.

A 2014 study concluded that a WtHR of 0.52 or above significantly increases a person’s risk of developing heart complications. Measurements that take waist size into account can be suitable indicators of an individual’s health risks. This is because the fat that collects around the middle of the torso can be harmful to the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Body fat percentage is the weight of a person’s fat divided by their total weight. This measurement includes both a person’s essential and stored fat.

An individual needs essential fat to survive — it is critical for the development of the brain, bone marrow, nerves, and membranes.

Storage fat is the fatty tissue that protects the internal organs in the chest and abdomen, and the body can use it if necessary for energy.

Learn more about measuring body fat.

Recommendations

Apart from the approximate guidelines for males and females, the ideal total fat percentage can depend on a person’s body type or activity level.

Learn more about body fat levels by age and sex.

A high proportion of body fat can indicate a greater risk of:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• stroke

Calculating body fat percentage may be a suitable way to measure a person’s fitness level because it reflects their body composition, unlike DMI, WHR, and WtHR.

How to measure body fat

The most common way of measuring body fat percentage is to use a skinfold measurement, which uses special calipers to pinch the skin.

A health professional will measure tissue on the thigh, abdomen, and chest for males or upper arm for females.

Other measures include

• hydrostatic body fat measuring, or “underwater weighing”
• air densitometry, which measures air displacement
• dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
• bioelectrical impedance analysis

While none of these can give an accurate reading, the estimates are close enough to offer a reasonable assessment.

Learn more about the different ways to measure body fat.

BMI, WHR, WtHR, and body-fat percentage are four ways of assessing weight.

Combining them may be the best way to get an accurate idea of whether a person should consider managing their weight.

Anyone with concerns about their weight, waist size, or body composition should speak with a doctor or nutritionist who can advise about suitable options.

Q:

Does it matter if a person is overweight, as long as they are healthy and comfortable?

A:

It is important to remember that there is a link between being overweight and a higher risk of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

Additionally, carrying extra weight can be tough on the skeletal system and joints, and it can result in changes in motor function and postural control.

This may be because having extra body weight can reduce muscular strength and endurance, distort a person’s posture, and cause discomfort with normal body movements.

For young people, excess weight during the growth development stages can contribute to unusual motor patterning. This can remain into adulthood.

Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

BMI calculator | Check your BMI

Use this calculator to check your body mass index (BMI) and find out if you're a healthy weight. Or you can use it to check your child's BMI.

Understanding your BMI result

Underweight

Being underweight could be a sign you're not eating enough or you may be ill. If you're underweight, a GP can help.

Find out more in underweight adults

Healthy weight

Keep up the good work! For tips on maintaining a healthy weight, check out the food and diet and fitness sections.

Overweight

The best way to lose weight if you're overweight is through a combination of diet and exercise.

The BMI calculator will give you a personal calorie allowance to help you achieve a healthy weight safely.

Obese

The best way to lose weight if you're obese is through a combination of diet and exercise, and, in some cases, medicines. See a GP for help and advice.

Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups

Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of developing some long-term (chronic) conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.

These adults with a BMI of:

• 23 or more are at increased risk
• 27.5 or more are at high risk

Why waist size also matters

Measuring your waist is a good way to check you're not carrying too much fat around your stomach, which can raise your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

You can have a healthy BMI and still have excess tummy fat, meaning you're still at risk of developing these conditions.

To measure your waist:

1. Find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips.
2. Wrap a tape measure around your waist midway between these points.
3. Breathe out naturally before taking the measurement.

Regardless of your height or BMI, you should try to lose weight if your waist is:

• 94cm (37ins) or more for men
• 80cm (31.5ins) or more for women

You're at very high risk and should contact a GP if your waist is:

• 102cm (40ins) or more for men
• 88cm (34ins) or more for women

Children's BMI

For children and young people aged 2 to 18, the BMI calculator takes into account age and gender as well as height and weight.

Overweight children are thought to be at increased risk of a variety of health conditions, and they're also more likely to be overweight as adults.

The BMI calculator works out if a child or young person is:

• underweight – on the 2nd centile or below
• healthy weight – between the 2nd and 91st centiles
• overweight – 91st centile or above
• very overweight – 98th centile or above

A child's BMI is expressed as a "centile" to show how their BMI compares with children who took part in national surveys.

For example, a girl on the 75th centile is heavier than 75 out of 100 other girls her age.

Measuring waist size is not routinely recommended for children because it does not take their height into account.

See a GP if you're concerned about your child's weight. They may be able to refer you to your local healthy lifestyle programme for children, young people and families.

Find out more in underweight children aged 6 to 12 and very overweight children.

Get tips on how to encourage your child to be more active and eat well

Limitations of the BMI

Your BMI can tell you if you're carrying too much weight, but it cannot tell if you're carrying too much fat.

The BMI cannot tell the difference between excess fat, muscle or bone.

The adult BMI does not take into account age, gender or muscle mass.

This means:

• very muscular adults and athletes may be classed "overweight" or "obese" even though their body fat is low
• adults who lose muscle as they get older may fall into the "healthy weight" range even though they may be carrying excess fat

Pregnancy will also affect a woman's BMI result. Your BMI will go up as your weight increases. You should use your pre-pregnancy weight when calculating your BMI.

Apart from these limitations, the BMI is a relatively straightforward and convenient way of assessing someone's weight.

Eating disorders

If you have an eating disorder, the BMI calculator results do not apply. Please get further advice from a GP.

Next steps

You can use your BMI result as a starting point for further discussion with a GP about your weight and general health.

Find out how your GP can help you lose weight and check out the Change4Life website for practical tips on staying healthy as a family.

A BMI above the healthy weight range or too much fat around your waist can increase your risk of serious health problems like:

• heart disease
• type 2 diabetes
• stroke
• certain types of cancer

Page last reviewed: 5 November 2018
Next review due: 5 November 2021

I don't know what I want.

Home-work-home, a bit of boredom and loneliness in the evenings, killed in the social. networks and series. Everything seems to be fine, but I want something more. But what exactly is unclear. How to cheer up and understand what you want? I'll tell you how I got out of the zombie life.

209 837 views

Read filter

This article will not appeal to those who:

• Seeks to renounce the worldly and live in the Himalayas;
• Fans of "wish fulfillment marathons", where they are invited to dream of a Rolls-Royce and an oligarch husband in two weeks;

I have nothing against the above, but further material will be based on the opposite theses:

An adult fulfills his desires on his own, and does not expect this from other people.

Problem statement

A well-formulated question contains half the answer, so I'll start by clarifying the wording: "I don't know what I want."

First, "I want" is about desires, and desires are usually felt/experienced. Desires come from the realm of feelings and emotions (until they turn into goals). "I know" is about thoughts and the brain. Therefore, at least a more correct formulation would be:

I don't feel my desires.

Here you can clarify again: why can't I feel them? Possible options:

• I have no desires, nothing to feel 😩
• I can't realize/hear/formulate my desires, but they still exist 😍

When a person has no desires at all, this is the state of a vegetable and a clinical diagnosis.

Most of us experience at least primitive desires: to eat, sleep, go to the toilet. Of course, these are not the desires for which you are reading this article, but nevertheless they are desires. We even say about them “I want to eat”, “I want to sleep”. And at least at the moment when we really want to go to the toilet, we know exactly what we want :)

Therefore, for my research, I will choose the wording:

I can't feel my desires.

Why don't we feel our desires?

Mikhail Labkovsky drowns because everything comes from childhood:

Why doesn't a person know what he wants? How can you not know at all? Yes, easily. We will have to talk about childhood again, when parents impose their will on 10-, 12-, 15-, and sometimes 40-year-old children. Rather, they are simply not interested in what the child wants there. Cottage cheese, cereal or scrambled eggs, for example, for breakfast? A teenager may not be asked what he himself wants to become ... This, in principle, does not matter for some parents who "themselves know what is best."
And it turns out no better. It turns out that when it is necessary to choose, when it is important to know what he wants and what is best for him, a child or an adult cannot find a single desire in himself. Not a single desire so clear and strong that it could be formulated. They have no desires.

Mikhail Labkovsky, psychologist

We get so used to the fact that everything is decided for us and our desires are not taken into account that over the years the skill of wanting atrophies.

In my work with a psychologist, I also unearthed such a thing as dissociation: I was often beaten as a child, and at some point I reached a state of indifference and separation of myself from my body: they beat me, but I don’t feel pain, I am apathetic I lie and wait for it to end.

Probably, there are many more reasons why we lose contact with our desires, but both Labkovsky and my psychologist advise about the same thing:

Start tracking the smallest desires and satisfy them.

Of course, I would like to immediately feel more global things:

• where to live;
• with whom to live;
• whom to work with;
• things to do;

But my experience has shown that without the stage of realizing even small, but definitely one's own desires, attempts to comprehend global desires lead to stereotypical ideas like "open a business, live by the sea and have a good husband."

Just as you can't come to the gym and become a Schwarzenegger in one workout, so it is here: without knowing what you want for breakfast, it's hard to understand what you want from life.

Start small

I listened to the advice of my psychologist and Labkovsky and started by asking myself once an hour: "What do I want now?", making silence inside and listening to the response. At first, I was aware of very simple desires: get up to stretch, eat a chocolate bar, take a break from work. If nothing specific came up, then I went through the checklist:

• is it comfortable for me to sit/lying down;
• if I want to eat/drink/go to the toilet;
  
• am I hot/cold;
  

As a result, I was horrified by how often I ignored my desires. For example, I ignored the primitive desire to go to the toilet in half of the cases, because:

• 5 more minutes, I will finish the letter and go;
• meeting, somehow uncomfortable, all of a sudden I miss something;
• too lazy to get out of bed in the morning 😂

When the body gets used to being ignored even in such a small way, it is difficult to expect that it will generate desires of a higher order.

I found out the same story with a desire to eat, to stretch. I constantly put them off for the sake of some more important matters from the point of view of the mind.

I decided to take a radical approach to the issue and began to satisfy my desires immediately, regardless of the context. Which at first looked rather strange at meetings, for example.

But, I told everyone the story that I'm on a diet and I have to eat by the clock - and everyone was fine with that. When I wanted to warm up, I just said "Everything is numb, I can't", I got up and began to walk around the negotiation room. And I also started going to the toilet when I wanted to 🙈 Incredibly, no one fired me for this))

Moreover, over time, my colleagues saw enough of me and also began to come with food))) And it became a little easier for all of us to live: )

Have a digital detox

Child psychology says that boredom is very useful for a child: it is at the moment when there are no external stimuli that the child is left alone with himself. His attention wanders and it is at this moment that he shows creativity: he invents a new game or activity for himself.

Even today's children, tired of the lack of gadgets, with their long absence, find themselves a new occupation. Sometimes this activity is lying on the couch, which bears little resemblance to creativity. But this also passes (but this is not accurate).

In order to establish contact with oneself, boredom is also useful for adults. Most often, we climb into gadgets precisely in order to escape from boredom, but if we want to hear our desires, then it is much more useful to spend this time alone with ourselves, and not with other people's photos and thoughts. As the Indian proverb says:

Silent days are needed to hear yourself.

I've tried this: sit down and consciously do nothing. Don't think, don't move, don't sleep. It's very hard! One of the reasons why meditation is so bad for many people is the horror of being alone. Anxiety comes, I want to jump off and again stick my attention somewhere. For quite a long time, nothing worked out for me, I didn’t have enough for 2 minutes.

But after a few months, I learned to wander around my body with my attention, to track my emotions. In addition, I turned off all notifications and stopped using the social. networks. I went there only once a day at a fixed time.

I used to reach for the phone every morning after waking up and every evening before going to bed. Now I just lie and think about the day to come, if it's morning, and about the past day, if it's evening. I listen to myself what this day was like or what I want it to become.

Along with keeping track of my small everyday desires, I began to notice that more meaningful desires come to me: call one of my friends, ride a bike, write a post.

Clean up energy leaks

But the biggest breakthrough in the realization of my desires happened to me after parting with my ex-husband.

Few people talk about this, but a critical condition for the realization of anything is the presence of free energy.

If all one's strength is spent on hateful work or swearing with a partner, if there is a negative background all the time, then the only desire in this hell is to forget, run away, rest.

My opinion: first you need to leave the emotional hell, otherwise:

1. Desires will be distorted all the time: the desire to avoid suffering will replace the desire for pleasure.

2. No matter how much we support ourselves and rejoice in hell, the energy will still flow away at a faster rate than it comes in.

This is a very difficult step that takes courage. But having done it, a lot of things get better by themselves.

While I was married, I only had enough to live as a zombie in the "home-work-life" style. After parting, I immediately found strength for sports, and for study, and for blogging, and for a new job, and for English. Desires came, and the strength to realize them.

A few closing thoughts

One of the reasons why I don't find "wishing marathons" useful is because they teach you to think:

1. By categories of nouns: I want a fur coat, a husband, a new iPhone, a lot of money.

2. Desires often go beyond the limits of possibilities: it is expected that someone will give all these nouns.

For me desire is a verb. Moreover, the verb attached to me: I want to go for a walk, write an article on VC, call a friend. The abstract iPhone that lies on the table and that someone should give me as a gift does not in any way stimulate me to take any action. iPhone - separately, I - separately. For me

Desire is what I want to do, not to receive from others.

I want and I do. I don’t wait, I don’t dream, but I do. One of the criteria for the truth of great desires is that they give energy for action, and do not drive into laziness and apathy.

Warning

As you develop the ability to feel desires, you may find that you no longer want to work in this job, live with this person, or live in this city. This will have to be dealt with, otherwise it will again be a betrayal of oneself and ignoring one's desires.

I had to change my profession, city, country, hobby, find a new environment. And although I'm happy now, I can't say that it was easy.

Total

What is important in the early stages:

1. Take your time, get ready for the marathon. It took me half a year for primitive desires before I began to hear my response about a job, an apartment, a partner, friends, a city.

2. Try to immediately satisfy your desire. Therefore, it is better to formulate it with a verb - so it is clearer what needs to be done.

3. Stay alone with yourself more often, limit social. network, let yourself get bored.

4. Be prepared for big changes and not be afraid.

5. Follow your desires, do not ignore them, do not betray yourself.

I don’t know if such huge texts are read to the end, but if you have read it and you liked it, I invite you to my telegram channel @annakopyrneva. I write mainly about softskills, product science and my work in IT.

"What should I do with my passport?" Dozens of Russians cannot renew their residence permit in Poland

• Maria Kiseleva
• BBC

18 September 2022

Image copyright, Veronica Sovetova/TASS

On the border with Poland: is the new iron curtain about to close?

In several EU countries, after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Russian emigrants began to have difficulties with extending or obtaining a residence permit - neither studying in the country nor having a permanent job helps. For example, in Poland, several dozen Russian citizens, who mostly moved there before the war and do not support it, were refused for reasons that are limited to "official use." What can await Russian migrants in the future?

Nail Aminov was born in Uzbekistan, but in 2001 he left for Russia. In his native country, it was then restless, there were armed clashes and riots.

14 years after moving to Russia, Nail decided to leave this country as well. "After 2014, when the annexation of Crimea happened, it was already difficult to deceive yourself: "dude, kamon, stop closing your blinders, you need to do something," he explains. Three years later, he met his future wife, a citizen of Belarus, in the same place.Nail himself managed to obtain Russian citizenship for 14 years in Russia.0003

In 2019, Nail moved to his wife's homeland, but they did not live there for long. In 2020, mass protests against Alexander Lukashenko began in Belarus: thousands of Belarusians took to the streets due to disagreement with the election results. The protests were brutally suppressed by the authorities, and many of the protesters left the country.

Against the backdrop of these events, Nail and his wife sold everything they had in Belarus: two fitness clubs, cars and real estate. And then they emigrated.

The couple started their new life in April 2021 in the Polish city of Katowice. The choice of the country was explained simply: Nail's wife has Polish roots.

Photo copyright, Nail Aminov

Nail Aminov with his wife

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"My wife and I went to work, my stepson went to study and play for the Polish hockey team. Realizing that we like living in Poland, we began to take root. I went to study to confirm my work specialty with European certificate," says Nail.

In Poland, a man works as a worker in the housing and communal services sector. His wife has opened a small business: she works as a nutritionist. The family bought an apartment in Katowice.

Nail's wife and stepson were able to obtain a permanent residence permit in Poland. Nail himself was in the country on a work visa, and in 2021 he applied for a residence permit for work.

But there were problems. In June 2022, Nail received a letter saying that his immigration case was being canceled, the reasons for this were classified and related to a threat to national security.

A letter from the Silesian Voivodeship (as the regions are called in Poland), which is in the possession of the BBC, indeed reports the denial of a temporary residence and work permit. The document clarifies that the immigration authorities may not justify their decision if it is required by considerations of national defense, security or it is necessary to protect public order.

According to the letter, Nail must leave Poland within 30 days from the date of the decision to refuse to extend his visa. The man filed an appeal against this decision, while it is being considered, he can remain in the country. Due to the coronavirus pandemic in Poland, work visas are automatically extended - this allows you to continue working.

"We want one thing - to ask the Polish state to show the reason for this refusal. We are open, we are ready to be checked more carefully," says Nail.

Image copyright, Getty Images

Naila's family has become a home in Katowice

It is especially difficult for the family to move now: Naila's wife is expecting a child.

"It's very scary to lose your job and be the only breadwinner when your stepson plays hockey - it takes a lot of money. My wife is pregnant, and she will give birth in December ... I don't know what to do with a pregnant wife , who has a residence permit in her hands, is already a resident of the European Union. And what should I do with my passport, with my history, where to go," says Nail.

Dozens of rejections

Nail is one of many Russian citizens living in Poland who have received such letters.

Vladimir (the hero asked not to indicate his last name) came to this country in 2016 to study at the university in Poznan. After graduating in 2019, the man moved to Krakow to work as a financial crime analyst. Now he works in the Polish branch of a Swiss bank - he analyzes risks in the legal field.

Vladimir has already managed to obtain three annual Polish residence permits and started to apply for a fourth one, but unexpectedly received a letter stating that his file contains a document with confidential information.

"In each voivodship, the letters themselves look a little different. For example, in Pomeranian - in Gdansk - they send a very short letter in which they openly write that we have made a request to ABW (Polish Internal Security Agency - BBC -si ), and ABW submitted documents that are classified. In my letter it was written that within seven or 14 days you can appeal this. Since I did not even understand what it was and what it was about, accordingly, I did not take any action ", says Vladimir.

• "Visit Europe is a privilege": how Schengen countries want to limit tourism from Russia translation - "for official use"). This data may, among other things, be associated with a threat to national security.

  On July 1, Vladimir was invited for an interview at the voivodship department. There he was shown his package of documents - except for the confidential part. On September 7, he received an official refusal. He will appeal.

  Vladimir and Nail are members of a Telegram chat that includes dozens of other Russian emigrants in Poland who, for various reasons, could not extend or obtain a residence permit. The chat collects statistics on such cases: according to these estimates, as of September 9, 86 people received confirmed refusals (in total, 118 people turned to the organizers of the group, who said that they received a letter about classified data or a denial of a residence permit, permanent residence or Polish citizenship). Most of them received letters in which the Polish authorities refer to confidential information.

  Most of the members of the group are from the Pomeranian Voivodeship. This is a region near the Kaliningrad region of Russia, there are technoparks in it, where Russian specialists often come to work.

  Image copyright, Getty Images

  Image caption,

  Poland is in favor of visa restrictions for Russians

  Most of the members of the group applied for an extension of documents or a new temporary residence card. In Poland, it is called pobyt czasowy - in fact it is a residence permit. Most often, Russians tried to get documents for the reason that they work in Poland.

  Official data confirms that there have been more refusals to Russian citizens for residence permits and permanent residence this year: about 6 thousand since the beginning of this year against 6.3 thousand for the entire last year.

  The situation differs from region to region. For example, in the Pomeranian Voivodeship last year there were only 15 refusals - and 117 this year. In the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, which includes Warsaw, 573 negative decisions were made last year, and 663 this year. .). Most citizens of Russia - 7.9thousand live precisely on temporary residence permits.

  Are such refusals legal?

  The Polish Law "On Aliens" of 2013 does indeed allow the refusal of a permanent or temporary residence permit "on grounds of defense capability or national security or protection of security and public order".

  Another article of the same law stipulates that the application officer must always request information from the Border Guard, the police and the Internal Security Agency.

  The Ministry of the Interior of Poland, in response to a BBC inquiry, also referred to the fact that issues related to residence permits are regulated in Poland by the law on foreigners, and the voivodship departments deal with issuing residence permits.

  "Each application is considered individually. The conditions set out in the law must be met in order to obtain a residence permit," the response says.

  Image copyright, Getty Images

  Image caption,

  Problems with renewing residence permits for Russians in Poland became much more frequent in 2022, after the Russian attack on Ukraine

  The BBC Russian service has also sent inquiries to the Center for Immigrants and Immigrant Support and the Pomeranian Voivodeship Office and is awaiting a response.

  Two Polish lawyers interviewed by the BBC say they have indeed noticed an increase in refusals to renew residence permits for Russian citizens on confidential grounds. Previously, such refusals were isolated cases, says Dr. Adam Bulandra.

  Now, according to his observations, failures have become massive. "It's not yet in the statistics because it started happening probably in May," Bulandra told the BBC.

  What's going on in other countries

  Some other countries in Europe after the Russian attack on Ukraine have also set restrictions on obtaining and renewing residence permits for Russians. Here are some of them:

  • At the end of June, the Czech Republic announced that, along with visas, it would stop issuing residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus until the end of March 2023. At the end of February, the Prime Minister of the Republic, Petr Fiala, also ordered a review of residence permits already issued to Russians;
  • At the beginning of April, Latvia banned the issuance of primary residence permits to citizens of Belarus and Russia - however, with a large list of exceptions, which, for example, includes family reunification (restrictions are valid until June 30, 2023). Most likely, the rules will continue to change. On September 16, the Sejm adopted in the first reading the amendments to the immigration law. They may suspend the possibility of renewing residence permits for citizens of Russia and Belarus, including those who received documents for investing or buying real estate in Latvia. At the same time, the law also provides for a number of exceptions.
  • In April, the Estonian authorities introduced restrictions on short-term work for citizens of Russia and Belarus. In particular, the country banned the issuance of visas for work and entrepreneurship and residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus on the same grounds. At the end of July, the government restricted the ability of Russian citizens to apply for a visa or residence permit to study in Estonia.
  • Since September 19, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have introduced a ban on the entry of Russian citizens with any Schengen visas - except for individual humanitarian cases.

  Sarah Ganty, Senior Fellow at the Center for Human Rights at the University of Ghent and Ph. D. in Law at Yale Law School, notes that despite the complexity of the political situation in some countries, such measures can be called populist.

  • Moscow allowed Europe to refuse to issue Schengen to Russians. And what about visas?

  "These measures are generally supported by the population. They give politicians more credibility. And I think this is very dangerous for the rule of law," says Ganti.

  The European Union defines the same conditions for all countries for obtaining a residence permit and renewal of a residence permit. EU member states must comply with these rules.

  "And if you look at all these conditions, then among them there is no condition not to be Russian or not to be a citizen of another state," says Ganti. The difficulty is to prove that there is a system in individual failures.

  • "They are citizens of the aggressor country.

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