Russian immigration policies are very stringent and prejudiced towards certain nationalities. Learning the Russian language (speaking and writing) is essential for those aspiring to gain permanent residence in the country. Geographically too, Russia is cut off from the rest of the world as it is land and ice-locked; with no access to the main seas.
Russia offers residency permits in 4 categories mentioned below:
- Employment
- Education
- Family reunification
- Medical treatment (recuperation, surgery, medicine, etc.)
Furthermore, Indians may apply for temporary or permanent residence permits; depending on the purpose and nature of their stay. A residence permit is an initial step towards obtaining Russian citizenship and subsequently the passport. With new policies in effect since 2015, it is important to know and understand the policies before applying for visas.
Primary eligibility criteria
According to the amended immigration policies of 2015, Indian applicants must prove knowledge of the Russian language, culture, legislation, and history. The proof must be documented and recognized by the Russian authorities; certificates, courses, degrees, etc.
Similarly, there are exemptions to the policy stated above, which are pointed out below:
- Applicants below 18 and over 60 not required to prove knowledge of Russian language etc.
- Foreign Students accredited with Russian colleges can obtain temporary residence without knowledge of Russian language etc.
- Applicants specialized in fields sought by the Russian government or companies are exempt
- Applicants having blood relatives in the Soviet Union and wish to reunite are also exempted
Features of temporary and permanent residence permit
Obtaining citizenship in any country, especially Russia, is a time-consuming process; requiring patience and persistence. As an initial step, the aspirant needs to gain a temporary residence permit with a maximum validity of two years. During this time the applicant must stay in the country and maintain a decent livelihood and income.
Moreover, before the temporary arrangement expires the applicant shall apply for a permanent residence permit. A permanent residence permit is valid for 5 years and extendable indefinitely; however, it must be authenticated annually. Under the permanent residency status, the holder may leave the country as often as desired by obtaining a visa and other formalities.
Business investment visa
After 2015, Russia started offering specially designed residence programs to foreigners including Indians, who wished to invest in the country. Hence the “Business Investment Visa” program was initiated to facilitate foreign investors by not only allowing long-term residence, but also a favorable business environment.
Requirements to obtain a business visa
While some requirements here to obtain a business visa may change from time to time, below are a few that are essentially required.
- Pledging a minimum investment of US$ 100,000
- Investments made in sectors advised by Russian government. Mainly in energy, agriculture, IT, etc.
- Source of investment disclosed must pass vetting process conducted by Russian authorities
- The applicant must stay at least 3 months before applying for the business visa
The most significant advantage to obtaining a business-purpose residence is that the processing time for permanent residence is shortened significantly; up to one month. Subsequently shortening the time to obtain citizenship, down to 5 years instead of the usual 8 years.
Essential documents required for residence permit
Varying from case to case, below is the list of essential documents required, regardless of the duration, purpose, and type of the visa applied for:
- Duly filled application form
- 04 passport sized photographs (with the background as prescribed on the form)
- Proof of income (bank statements, certificates, etc.)
- Health certificate proving the applicant does not suffer from a life-threatening illness or viruses
Indian investment in Russia
According to some reports, India and Russia have chalked out a plan to enhance their mutual investment to US$ 50B and bilateral trade to US$ 30B by 2025. Owing to this regional cooperation movement, the governments of both countries have relaxed the residence permit policies for entrepreneurs and mega investors alike here.
