Foreign citizens who want to live in the Russian Federation must apply for a Russian residence permit. The Russian authorities issue two types of residence permits for foreign citizens: an unlimited residence permit and a residence permit with the status of a highly qualified specialist for a term of 3 years work.
What gives a residence permit:
- Living in the territory of the Russian Federation;
- Work within the country (in the region) without the obligatory issuance of permission and patent;
- The possibility of extending the residence permit without restrictions;
- Departure into the country and departure from it any number of times;
- The right to state pension provision;
- Free medical care in public institutions;
- Registration of children in educational institutions;
- The right to subsequent registration of citizenship of the Russian Federation.
Who can apply for a Russian residence permit?
It is important to note that there are well-established rules regarding foreign citizens entitled to obtain a residence permit. In accordance with the new Immigration Law, all foreigners who want to obtain a residence permit in Russia must confirm their knowledge of history, the Russian language and legislation. Knowledge must be confirmed by documents issued by the Russian authorities.
Who can get a residence permit in Russia in accordance with changes in legislation in 2019?
You can apply for a residence permit in Russia without applying for a temporary residence permit:
- persons born in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and who were citizens of the USSR (until 21.12.1991);
- persons under the age of 18 and incompetent (adults) applying for a residence permit with their parents;
- persons under 18 years of age and incompetent (adults), if one of the parents has a residence permit;
- persons with parents or children - citizens of the Russian Federation, provided that the latter live on an ongoing basis. This group is exempted from language proficiency testing;
- foreigners over the age of 18 years, recognized fully or partially incompetent in accordance with the laws of a foreign state, applying for a residence permit simultaneously with a parent, guardian, guardian, adoptive parent;
- citizens of other countries over 18 years of age who are recognized as legally incompetent (partially capable) according to the laws of their country, whose representative is a parent, guardian, adoptive parent - a foreigner living in Russia on a permanent basis;
- incapable persons whose representative is a parent, guardian, adoptive parent - a citizen of the Russian Federation, permanently living in the country;
- foreigners - carriers of Russian culture and language;
- foreigners who were personally (or their direct relatives on the ascending and descending lines) are illegally deported from the Crimean ASSR;
- foreign specialists with high qualifications and working in the Russian Federation, and members of their families;
- specialists working in the Russian Federation for six months, in a specialty related to the list of professions of foreign citizens. It is required to provide a certified work book or employment contract, an extract from the Pension Fund of Russia;
- received a diploma with honors from an accredited Russian university (full-time) and residing in the Russian Federation with Russian citizenship stopped;
- persons from whom the citizenship of the Russian Federation was stopped or revoked, and persons from whom the passports of the Russian Federation were withdrawn (Federal Law No. 62-FZ; parts 1 and 3, Art. 41.1);
- Belarusian citizens over 18 years of age, as well as their minor children and adult legally incompetent persons who are simultaneously applying for a residence permit, for whom the above citizen is a parent (guardian, adoptive parent, trustee);
- persons who have received political asylum in the Russian Federation;
- foreigners and their families who arrived in the country in a mass emergency manner, recognized as refugees and received asylum in the territory of the Russian Federation, who are participants in the state program (promoting the voluntary resettlement of compatriots living abroad).
- other categories of persons.
The following categories of persons are exempted from certain requirements when applying for a residence permit in Russia:
- persons under the age of 18 years and older than 60 years who should not demonstrate that they speak Russian or know the history of the country;
- foreign students studying in Russian accredited universities or other schools may receive a temporary residence permit;
- foreign citizens specializing in specific areas that Russian companies need are also exempted from the above requirements;
- citizens of Belarus;
- foreign citizens who have family members from the Soviet Union and who want to return to Russia (as well as their children).
Specialists of the Department of Immigration Consulting of the RAUIE can offer more information about the requirements related to obtaining a residence permit. We can also advise Russian companies interested in attracting foreign specialists for whom work permits are required.
A residence permit grants a foreign citizen the same social rights as any other citizen of Russia.
Permanent Russian residence permit
A permanent residence permit is the first step to obtaining Russian citizenship. Previously, the Russian residence permit had a five-year validity period; from 1st November 2019, an unlimited residence permit was introduced.
Residence Permit for highly qualified specialists
To obtain this residence permit, it is necessary to comply with the status of the highly qualified specialist (as a rule, these are specialists in narrow areas who are not fully developed in our country with a certain salary). In addition members of his family also receive a residence permit.
Documents required to obtain a Russian residence permit
Regardless of the type of residence permit that a foreign citizen wants to obtain in Russia, it will be necessary to provide the following documents:
- statement (2 copies);
- four photos;
- valid passport;
- income confirmation (bank statement);
- a health certificate indicating that the applicant does not suffer from any contagious disease.
Foreign citizens who wish to move to Russia with their children must also provide birth certificates for children.
Obtaining a visa for investor residence in Russia
In 2014, Russia was included in the list of countries that have special programs for foreign investors who want to move here. This program, also known as a business investment visa, provides very favorable conditions under which foreign entrepreneurs can obtain Russian residence permits on the basis of investments.
To obtain a residence permit in Russia as an investor, the following requirements must be observed:
- the minimum investment amount is 100,000 US dollars (this is one of the cheapest investment programs in the world);
- investments should be made in specific industries, including oil and gas, agriculture, energy, medicine, information technology, research and innovation;
- invested money must come from a legitimate source (confirmation of this is required by the authorities);
The applicant must reside in Russia for 90 days before applying for a residence permit for an investor.
Among the advantages of a residence permit for a Russian investor are a short processing time of about one month, the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit after 3 years and the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship after 5 years.
If you have any questions about migration legislation and the preparation of immigration documents in Russia, you can leave a request in the form of feedback in any language that suits you or contact imm@raspp.ru for advice