Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country adjacent to Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
If you would wish to relocate to Russia, still you can choose between Russian permanent occupancy or full Russian citizenship, If you’re shifting to Russia or looking to live there for a long period of time. Both give you the rights of Russian citizens, although there are differences between them.
There are benefits for deportees and those who enter on a Largely Professed Professionals visa.
How to become a citizen of Russia
In order to gain Russian permanent occupancy, you must lawfully live in Russia with a valid Russian temporary residency permit (other than citizens from Belarus, deportees from Turkmenistan, and those entering on a Largely Professed Migratory visa, who are entitled to the permanent residency upon entering Russia). This is typically for those in Russia on a long-stay visa similar to a Russian work visa. Temporary residency permits have government proportions and certain orders of foreign residents admit preference.
The Russian permanent residency permit is valid for 60 months but can be renewed an unlimited number of times. Still, it has to be registered with the GUVM every year. However, it cannot be renewed, If a Russian permanent residency permit expires. It’ll also become invalid if you leave the country for an unbroken six-month period.
Still, you’ll also need to renounce the citizenship of your home country, if you take full Russian citizenship through naturalization. You’ll also have to pay the Russian citizenship figure and embark on a process that can take up to a time to complete.
Applying for a Russian permanent residency
You can apply for Russian permanent residency after 12 months of lawfully abiding in Russia. You should do this six months before your temporary residency permit expires. The Russian permanent residency permit is valid for six months, and can be extended an unlimited number of times but it cannot be issued beyond the expiration date of your passport. Renewal of a Russian permanent residence permit must be done at least two months previous to its expiration. However, you must leave Russia within 15 days, If your permit is invalidated.
Russian permanent residency operations need to be made at the GUVM office in your region. A list of original GUVM services is available then. The exact documents needed vary depending on whether you’re from a CIS or non-CIS country but will include the following:
- 4 passport-sized photos,
- Passport or valid ID,
- Evidence of income to sustain yourself and any family members you’re supporting,
- Evidence of accommodation,
- Medical instrument attesting the absence of HIV (AIDS),
- Knowledge of Russian history, and of the foundations of the Russian Federation.
Russian citizenship conditions
Current Russian citizenship conditions are according to the 2002 Russian Citizenship Act. One can obtain Russian citizenship through the following processes;
- By birth.
- Through naturalization (either a common or simplified process).
Russian citizenship by birth
A child can get citizenship in Russia if any of the following should occur:
- In a case scenario whereby 1 parent is a Russian native and the other is stateless,
- One parent is a Russian citizen and the other is a foreign citizen,
- One parent is a Russian citizen and the other is a foreign citizen if the child is born outside Russia and hasn’t been granted citizenship of any foreign country,
- Is a child in Russia without parents, if still parent-less after a 6 month period.
Russian citizenship by naturalization (common process)
Foreign citizens living in Russia can apply for citizenship by naturalization if they meet the below conditions:
- They hold a valid permanent residency permit.
- They have lived as an endless occupant in Russia for 12 months(with no ages living outside Russia exceeding three months at any one time).
- Can give evidence of legal means of subsistence for themselves and any family members they’re supporting.
- Have renounced the citizenship of their home country (except for countries that have binary citizenship agreements with Russia).
- Can give evidence of introductory command of the Russian language.
Applying for Russian citizenship by naturalization
The GUVM processes Russian citizenship operations. Before applying for Russian citizenship by naturalization, you need to submit a request to a sanctioned agency to renounce the citizenship you hold within your home country.
You’ll need to submit your Russian citizenship operation through the GUVM, as well as documents including
- Evidence of Russian language capability.
- Evidence of income.
- The application to renounce current citizenship.
Still, you’ll be issued with an internal Russian passport (to be replaced with a citizen’s identity card in 2018) and will also be eligible to apply for a Russian passport for the transnational trip, If your Russian citizenship operation is successful.
Conclusions on Russian citizenship operations can take up to 12 months and are made by the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. Operations via the simplified process take up to six months and are made by them. However, still, you’re entitled to appeal through the courts, If your application for Russian citizenship is rejected.
