Obtaining Russian citizenship

Organising permission for temporary residence

Organising permanent residency

The processes of application for Russian citizenship require passing a number of stages of legalisation as a foreign citizen in Russia.

These stages entail: obtaining a temporary residence permit (RVP) for a period of three years, and a residency permit for a period of five years. (from 1st November 2019, unlimited).

Obtaining an RVP for citizens of CIS nations takes two months, and for citizens of other nations takes 6 months.

After receiving their RVP, foreign citizens can apply for a residence permit. The decision to issue a residence permit is made after living for 1 year on the status of a RVP. The period for review of the documents for a residence permit is 6 months.

Having lived continuously for 5 years on residence permit status, a foreign citizen can apply to register as a Russian citizen. The term of residence within the territory of the Russian Federation is considered continuous if the foreign citizen enters the Russian Federation at least once within 6 months.

The term of residence in the territory of the Russian Federation for 5 years is reduced to one year if at least one of the following reasons holds true:

  • the person's birth within the territory of the RSFSR and the existence of their former USSR citizenship;
  • marriage to a citizen of the Russian Federation for at least three years;
  • the presence of a disabled person with a non-disabled son or daughter who has reached the age of eighteen years and who holds the citizenship of the Russian Federation;
  • the presence of high achievements in the field of science, technology and culture; holding professional achievements or qualifications of interest to the Russian Federation;
  • provision of political asylum to a person with in the territory of the Russian Federation;
  • recognition of a person as a refugee in the manner stipulated in federal law.

Furthermore, a residence permit can be issued in a simplified manner for highly qualified specialists and members of their families. A residence permit is issued for the duration of the work permit. The paperwork takes 3 months.

Permission for temporary residency (RVP) in Russia

Our firm offers services to set up temporary residency, including:

  • consultancy and detailed evaluation of the documents you hold
  • compilation of the set of documents needed for submission, and completion of the necessary paperwork
  • a 'road map' to guide you through the stages of RVP application


Supplementary services:

  • training and testing in Russian language, knowledge of Russian history and the basics of Russian law.
  • assistance in taking and passing the medical examinations needed, at a specialised medical centre
  • translation of your documents
  • support when collecting the receipt for your document submission
  • support when submitting your documents


Documents required for RVP (temporary residency permit) application for the Russian Federation, whether submitted within the quota or outside it:

Permission for a Temporary Residency Permit outside the quote requires:

  • a wife or husband who are citizens of the Russian Federation
  • the presence of an under-age child who is a citizen of the Russian Federation
  • place of birth on the territory of the Russian Federation the presence of parents (pensioners) who are citizens of the Russian Federation


In other cases, documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit are accepted only after receiving a quota.

From the moment of obtaining a temporary residence permit, a foreign citizen receives a number of advantages and a number of responsibilities, including:

  • the opportunity to remain within the territory of the Russian Federation without leaving up to 3 years
  • labor activity can be carried out only in the territory of the subject of the federation where this foreign citizen is registered
  • you must enter the Russian Federation at least 1 time within 6 months
  • a foreign citizen arriving in the Russian Federation on a visa can receive a multiple-entry visa for the duration of the RVP (with the exception of countries with which there are intergovernmental agreements that allow traveling without visas with RVP status).


The period for document review for RVP is 6 months (for citizens of the CIS up to 2 months). RVP is issued for a period of 3 years. A temporary residence permit is not renewed, as it is an intermediate step to a residence permit. Documents for a residence permit must be submitted at least 6 months before the expiration of the current RVP

After receiving a RVP, a foreign citizen is obliged:

  1. Within 7 working days after receipt of the RVP, register with the territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
  2. Within 2 months from the expiration of the next year from the day he received a temporary residence permit, they must personally submit to the territorial body of the federal executive body in the field of migration at the place of receipt of the RVP a notification of confirmation of his residence in the Russian Federation with an income statement, copies a tax return or other document confirming the size and source of income of a specific foreign national for the next year from the day they received a temporary residence permit.
  3. Within one year from the date of entry into the Russian Federation, they must obtain a certificate (notification) of registration with the tax authority.


Obtaining a visa for residency in Russia

Our firm offers the following services for residency in Russia:

  • consultancy and detailed evaluation of the documents you hold
  • compilation of the set of documents needed for submission, and completion of the necessary paperwork
  • a 'road map' to guide you through the stages of RVP application


Supplementary services:

  • training and testing in Russian language, knowledge of Russian history and the basics of Russian law.
  • assistance in taking and passing the medical examinations needed, at a specialised medical centre
  • translation of your documents
  • support when collecting the receipt for your document submission
  • support when submitting your documents

You can submit the documents for a residency permit (RP) once you have obtained a temporary residency permit (RVP), but no later than six, months before the expiration of the REVP. Given this, the RP will be issued no earlier than one year after the beginning of residency on the basis of the RP.

The review period for documents for RP is six months.

From the moment of obtaining the RP, a foreign citizen has all the rights of citizens of the Russian Federation - exception for the right to vote. Limitations are the need to enter the Russian Federation at least once every 183 days and submit annual notifications confirming residence in the Russian Federation. Foreign citizens who have arrived in a visa can enter and leave the Russian Federation without applying for visas. Work activities may be carried out without a work permit.

A residency permit is issued for a period of 5 years (from November 1, 2019 indefinitely). When renewing a residence permit, it is necessary to submit documents at least 6 months before the expiration of the current residence permit.

After obtaining a residence permit, a foreign citizen must:

  1. Within 7 working days after receiving a residence permit, register in the territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
  2. Annually inform the territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the place of registration of confirmation of their residence in the Russian Federation.


Prices of services

Our firm provides the full range of migration legal services.  The table below sets out only the main services. Information on other services can be provided on request.

All of the services include:

  • compilation and completion of the complete package of documents
  • courier despatch of the completed package of documents to the client
  • submission of the documents at applicable state agencies
  • collection of the completed documents
  • delivery of the completed documents to the client's office
  • support of a highly-qualified specialist when receiving a work permit