Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a nation spreading over Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the biggest country on the planet by region, covering more than 17 million square kilometers, and enveloping more than one-eighth of Earth’s occupied land region.
Applying for Visa in Russia
The following documents should be submitted to the Russian Embassy or Consulate to get a visa to enter Russia according to the purpose of traveling.
Russian Tourist Visa:
- Your passport with 2 clear visa-designated pages.
- Two copies of the Russian visa application form; filled and signed.
- One passport size photograph is signed on the back.
- Tour Group: Letter from tour organization affirming schedule including a duplicate of the affirmation from approved Russian travel organization which shows the reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
- Individual Travel: Confirmation of lodging from an approved Russian travel organization, or straightforwardly from the Russian inn/hotel, showing reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
Russian Business Single, Double, and Multiple-Entry Visa:
- Your passport with 2 clear visa-designated pages (passport should be valid for a half year after the expected flight date from Russia).
- Two duplicates of the Russian visa application form; filled and signed.
- One passport size photograph is signed on the back.
- For a stay above 3 months or a multi-entry visa, an HIV test is required.
- Official invitation from an association/organization approved to welcome business guests to Russia.
Russian Private or Homestay Visa:
- Your passport with 2 clear visa-designated pages (passport should be valid for a half year after the planned takeoff date from Russia).
- Two duplicates of the Russian visa application form, filled and signed.
- ONE passport-size photograph is signed on the back.
- Visa qualification certificate from the nearby FMS in Russia. Your host should get this certificate for you and send the original certificate to you. Your host should know:
- Your Full Name
- Address.
- Nationality
- Passport Number and Date of Birth
- Your Date of Arrival/Departure in Russia.
Current Russian citizenship requirements are indicated by the 2002 Russian Citizenship Act. You can procure Russian citizenship through the following ways:
- By birth
- Through naturalization (either common or simplified process)
- By reclamation of citizenship for former citizens
Russian citizenship by birth
A child can claim Russian citizenship through birth if any of the following applies:
- The two biological parents are Russian citizens (or one parent if a single parent)
- If one parent is a citizen of Russia and the other is stateless
- One parent is a Russian citizen and the other is not if the child was born in Russia
- One parent is a Russian citizen and the other is a foreigner, if the child was born outside Russia and hasn’t been given citizenship of any other country
- The two parents are foreigners living in Russia if the kid was born in Russia and hasn’t been given citizenship in any foreign country
- A child in Russia without parents, if still parentless after 6 months.
The GUVM handles Russian citizenship applications. Before applying for Russian citizenship by naturalization, you need to present a request to an approved agency to deny the citizenship you initially had.
You should present your Russian citizenship application through the GUVM, with documents including:
- Evidence of Russian language capacity
- Evidence of income
- Application to revoke current citizenship
Russian citizenship by naturalization (common process)
Foreigners living in Russia can apply for citizenship by naturalization if they meet the following prerequisites:
- They hold a legitimate permanent residence permit
- They have lived as a permanent resident in Russia for a considerable length of time of five years (without any periods leaving Russia surpassing three months in any one year)
- Agree to submit to the Russian constitution
- Can confirm legitimate financial means for them and any relatives they are supporting
- Have revoked their former citizenship (aside from nations that have double citizenship agreements with Russia)
- Can confirm basic command of the Russian language
The Russian residence prerequisite can reduce to one year for the following set of people:
- Individuals who have entered Russia on a Highly Qualified Professional visa
- Individuals who have refugee status
Russian citizenship by naturalization (simplified process)
Certain groups of foreigners can apply for Russian citizenship by naturalization when they have become permanent residents. These are people who:
- Have one parent who is a Russian citizen living in Russia
- Had former USSR citizenship however have not taken citizenship of any former USSR country
- Are residents of former USSR states who have gotten vocational, secondary, or higher education in Russia after 2002
- Were USSR residents born in Soviet Russia
- Were married to a Russian for a minimum of three years
- Have a disability and have a physically capable child who is a Russian
- Have a disability are from a former USSR country
- Are from a former USSR country and were legitimately residing in Russia on 1 July 2002.
Benefits of Russia Citizenship
In addition to being eligible to vote, visa-free travel, and ease of movement that can be found with most passports, Russian citizenship comes with other benefits. Russia offers many other benefits for potential entrepreneurs and aspiring professionals. Russians ranked first in the world for starting careers in 2020 and 2021, and number 28 for ease of being an entrepreneur in the world by the World Bank.
The economy of Russia
The economy of Russia is a mixed economy, with huge assets, especially oil and gas. It is the fifth-biggest economy in Europe, the world’s 11th biggest economy by ostensible GDP, and the 6th biggest by PPP.
