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How to obtain Russian citizenship?

Citizenship is a legal form of a person’s belonging to a particular state, which implies the possibility of full enjoyment of rights and compliance with all obligations established by the legislation of the country.

Citizenship of the Russian Federation gives the right to defend one’s interests in court, to benefit from free education and medical care.

Russian citizenship implies free employment and participation in state elections, the opportunity to serve in the armed forces of the Russian Federation and work in state security agencies, and freely change place of residence within the country.

The purpose of our article is to talk about how to obtain Russian citizenship and what documents you will need to collect, and to point out the nuances of the simplified procedure for obtaining a Russian passport.


Obtaining a temporary residence permit is the first step in obtaining Russian citizenship

Russian migration legislation considers several circumstances under which it becomes possible:

  • By right of birth on the territory of Russia;
  • In order to restore lost citizenship;
  • In the order of general office work;
  • In a simplified manner;
  • In other cases provided by law.

When a foreign citizen arrives in Russia, the first thing he does is receive a migration registration card at the border. The card is issued free of charge and allows you to stay in Russia for a specified period.

The function of a migration card is to record migration flows; it allows you to register at your place of residence and get a job. There is an exception - residents of Belarus do not need to obtain a migration card.

After receiving a migration card, foreign nationals need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).

A temporary residence permit is not needed for persons who have the right to obtain citizenship under a simplified procedure. At the moment, this applies primarily to members of the Eurasian Association of States (for example, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus).


The time frame for obtaining a temporary residence permit is considerable - from two to six months. They can be significantly reduced if the foreign citizen has special circumstances:
  • Marriage relationship with a citizen of the Russian Federation (the longer the marriage lasts, the greater the chance of an expedited procedure).
  • The possibility of permanent employment and supporting yourself and your family at least at the subsistence level. To confirm this, provide documents on income, bank accounts, and extracts from tax documents.
  • Having your own residential premises for permanent residence. Buying an apartment in Russia before applying for citizenship greatly increases your chances of receiving it.
  • Relatives permanently residing in the country are citizens of the Russian Federation.

A temporary residence permit is issued to foreigners for 3 years, after which they can proceed to the next step - obtaining a residence permit. Extension of temporary residence permit is not provided for by law.


Registration of a residence permit - the second step

A residence permit is issued to foreign citizens for 5 years with the possibility of permanent extension or registration of Russian citizenship after the first 5 years (Article 13 of the Federal Law “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”). The same article talks about cases when you can obtain Russian citizenship after just 1 year of living in Russia:

  • The foreigner has high achievements in the field of culture, art or technology. A foreigner has a special profession or has serious qualifications in areas of science that are of interest to Russia.
  • A foreign person has been granted political asylum in Russia.
  • The foreigner has been granted refugee status.

Accelerated acquisition of citizenship is also provided for persons who have special merits to the state.

You should apply for a residence permit after the first 6 months, since the period for issuing it is usually six months. In this case, you will receive a residence permit as quickly as possible (six months of residence plus six months for registration - this turns out to be exactly the year required to issue a residence permit).


The third step is registration of Russian citizenship

After receiving a residence permit and expiration of 5 years of continuous residence in Russia, foreign citizens have the right to expect to receive citizenship.

Continuous residence is considered to be the case when a citizen has not left the country for more than 3 months annually.

It is important that while living in Russia, foreigners do not violate Russian legislation and have a constant source of income.

Foreigners from some countries are required to renounce their native citizenship before obtaining Russian citizenship. To do this, you need to contact the migration registration authority of your country.

Attention

In other cases, when international treaties do not require renunciation of previous citizenship, a foreign person receives dual citizenship, his own country and Russian. To obtain a Russian passport, you need to master the Russian language.


You can obtain Russian citizenship by submitting documents to the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (previously this function was performed by the FMS). You will need:
  • Application for citizenship (2 copies).
  • Resident card.
  • Identity card – citizen’s foreign passport. It must be stamped with the mark “temporary residence allowed”, and its validity period must not expire earlier than 6 months. Make a copy of it and be sure to attach a notarized translation into Russian.
  • Marriage certificate and birth certificate (copies with a notary stamp).
  • If citizenship is issued to a child - his birth certificate. For children over 14 years old - consent to move to Russia, if under 14 years old - consent to move from the second parent.
  • Renunciation of citizenship of your country in 2 copies (if required). The original is submitted by mail to the authorized body of your country, and the postal receipt and certified copy are attached to the general documents.
  • Pension certificate and education document with translation and certified copy.
  • Extract from the house register and individual personal account number.
  • 4 color matte photographs measuring 3.5 by 4.5 cm, for adults and children.
  • Receipt of payment of state duty (2000 rubles).
  • Certificate of successful completion of the Russian language exam.

It is important

The list of documents can be expanded or reduced, depending on specific circumstances and conditions. All documents are copied, translated (if necessary) and stamped by a notary.


Who can count on simplified citizenship?

The simplified procedure provides for a reduced package of documents for obtaining a Russian passport and no need to wait 5 years after receiving a residence permit (1 year is enough). How to obtain Russian citizenship using a simplified procedure?

Special reasons required:

  • Marriage relationship with a citizen of Russia for at least 3 years;
  • Birth in the territory of the former USSR or the current RSFSR;
  • Obtaining a diploma of higher or secondary vocational education obtained after 2002 in Russia;
  • Relatives in the ascending line are citizens of the Russian Federation (parents).

The list of conditions for the simplified procedure does not end there. It also includes persons undergoing the voluntary resettlement program for compatriots; foreigners who restore citizenship (if they already had it before); participants in the Russian native speakers program after passing exams and interviews; other categories of foreigners.

Download the application form for Russian citizenship.