How to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation with a residence permit

24.05.2021

It is no secret that the ultimate goal of staying in Russia for many foreigners is obtaining citizenship. Undoubtedly, each immigrant is interested in the features and procedure for its acquisition. The main way to acquire Russian citizenship is long-term residence in the Russian Federation on the basis of a residence permit. How to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation, having a residence permit? What are the requirements for applicants?

First, let's talk about one of the most important conditions for becoming a citizen. We are talking about how to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation after a residence permit. Consider the category of foreign citizens that does not have preferential conditions for its acquisition.

A residence permit is essentially a document granting permanent residence in Russia, which is valid for 5 years. Foreigners can become citizens of the Russian Federation 5 years after the issuance of a residence permit. In this case, the period of residence in the country must be continuous. That is, a foreign citizen should not leave the Russian Federation for a period of not more than 180 days within one calendar year.

Requirements for the applicant

All requirements and regulations for the procedure for becoming a citizen are reflected in two legislative acts of Russia, namely:

In Federal Law No. 62 "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation".
In Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1325.

So, how to get citizenship of the Russian Federation, having a residence permit? The main condition has already been mentioned above. However, additional requirements are also imposed on applicants, which are listed in Article 13 of Federal Law-62:

A foreign citizen must be over 18 years of age and be capable.
Compliance with the legislative acts of the Russian Federation, including the Russian Constitution.
The presence of a legal regular source of funds for life.
Obtaining an official paper on withdrawal from the previously held citizenship of a foreign state.
Knowledge of the state language of Russia (Russian) and documentary evidence of this fact.

It is important to note that it is possible to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation without prior renunciation of existing citizenship. This is possible only if the Russian government and the government of a foreign state have concluded an international agreement on the legal status of persons with dual citizenship. Such agreements currently exist with Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

Required documents

To enter into Russian citizenship, citizens of foreign countries must prepare the following package of documents:

Completed and signed in accordance with the form approved by Order No. 1325 (2 copies).

Valid residence permit.
Proof of a source of livelihood.
Paper on the renunciation of previously existing citizenship.
The passport.
3 photographs measuring 3.5 and 4.5 cm in width and length, respectively.
Check for payment of the state fee for the consideration of the case (3.5 thousand rubles).
A certificate or other document indicating knowledge of the Russian language at the required level.

It is important to note that the original documents must be submitted to the migration service. If there is a need to make copies of them, this is done by the employees of the service.

The application form and a sample of its completion can be found on the official portal of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Migration. It must be completed in Russian by hand in legible handwriting or on a computer.

Russian citizenship for children under the age of 14 is issued with the written consent of the parents. If the child is over 14 years of age, the consent of the minor is required. However, it is in free form. The signature of the child must be certified by a notary public or in the presence of an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs when submitting an application.

Papers that were issued abroad must be translated into Russian. The correctness of the translation, as well as the authenticity of the translator's signature, is also certified by a notary.

Simplified acquisition of citizenship in a shortened time: who is available

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, it is also possible for foreign citizens to acquire Russian citizenship in a shorter period of time. Now let's take a closer look at these conditions.

The period of required stay in Russia can be reduced:

For persons who have been granted political asylum in the Russian Federation.
For refugees.
For persons who have particularly outstanding achievements in various cultural, scientific and technical fields.
For persons with a profession or qualification that is of interest to Russia.

It is important to note that a person with outstanding achievements can be granted citizenship without taking into account the length of stay. The same rule applies to foreigners who did military service under a contract in the Russian Armed Forces.

Article 14 of the law on Russian citizenship establishes a simplified scheme for becoming a Russian citizen. What are the requirements for applicants?

The following persons do not need to comply with the condition of continuous residence for 5 years in Russia:

Whose mother or father lives in Russia and has local citizenship.
Those who do not have the citizenship of any country and who had Soviet citizenship in the past live in a country that was formerly a Soviet republic.

In addition, the following are exempt from the 5-year residency requirement:

Born within the RSFSR and previously had Soviet citizenship,
Husbands and wives of citizens of the Russian Federation who have been in an official union with them for at least 3 years,
Disabled foreigners who have at least one capable and adult child with Russian citizenship,
Parents of minors with Russian citizenship,
Parents of children-citizens of the Russian Federation, recognized as incompetent,
Graduates of state-accredited higher educational institutions in Russia who graduated after 07/01/2002 and worked in the Russian Federation in the specialization received for at least 3 years,
Businessmen, as well as individuals engaged in individual entrepreneurship, who have been operating for at least 3 years and have paid taxes and fees in the total amount of at least one million rubles,
Investors who are the founders of one of the enterprises operating in the territory of the Russian Federation and have a share in the authorized capital of at least 10 million rubles, paying taxes and fees in accordance with Russian legislation (in this case, the total authorized capital of the organization must be at least 100 million rubles),
Foreigners working in the Russian Federation in a specialty that is included in the list of professions in demand (the list is approved by the Government of the Russian Federation),
Persons who previously had Soviet citizenship and came from one of the former Soviet republics, having registration at the place of residence of the Russian Federation as of 07/01/2002 (they also do not need to confirm the availability of means of subsistence and knowledge of the Russian language),
Veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, who previously had USSR passports,

In addition, holders of a residence permit with citizenship of a foreign state or stateless persons have the right to obtain citizenship under a simplified scheme if they have received the status of native speakers of the Russian language in accordance with the procedure established by law. To do this, they must additionally comply with several conditions:

Compliance with the Constitution of Russia and other legislative acts,
Availability of legally earned means for living,
Obtaining an official renunciation of previous citizenship from a diplomatic mission of a foreign state.

The same rule applies to the participants of the State project to facilitate the resettlement of compatriot foreigners. At the same time, members of their family who moved with them to a specific region of the Russian Federation can also obtain citizenship. IDPs do not need to prove their knowledge of the Russian language.

Incapable foreigners and stateless persons can also become citizens of the Russian Federation without fulfilling the condition on the required period of residence, if they previously lived in one of the Soviet republics and have a permanent registration in the Russian Federation received before 07/01/2002. At the same time, the legislation allows this category of immigrants not to provide a valid residence permit.

Part 6 of Article 14 states that the condition on the terms of residence is canceled for children with foreign citizenship if:

Mother or father are citizens of the Russian Federation (the second parent must give official consent).
The only parent is Russian.
A minor is under the guardianship or guardianship of a Russian.
The minor was left without parental care or placed in an orphanage.

Incapacitated persons who have been placed under guardianship or care of Russian citizens or who have been placed under supervision in a specialized institution, also, upon their application, have the right to become citizens of the Russian Federation.

Why citizenship is better than a residence permit

First of all, it is worth remembering that a residence permit is a document, the receipt of which is the final step on the way to Russian citizenship. When applying for a residence permit, renunciation of previously existing citizenship is not required, as well as when obtaining a TRP.

However, registration of citizenship after obtaining a residence permit is possible only if this official paper is available, although in certain cases it is not required. Actually, a residence permit is a document that replaces a visa and facilitates the passage of a number of migration formalities.

Citizenship of the Russian Federation has the following advantages:

There is no need to renew a Russian passport and confirm the place of your stay, as is the case with a residence permit,
Free crossing of the border of the Russian Federation,
Giving all the rights and obligations of citizens of the Russian Federation, including political and economic,
Possibility of obtaining loans in banking organizations,
Obtaining state guarantees and social support, in accordance with legislative norms.

Before starting the procedure for becoming a citizen of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons.

Foreigners who have lived in the Russian Federation with a residence permit for at least 5 years can apply for Russian citizenship. However, the law "On Citizenship" also provides for a simplified scheme for acquiring it without complying with this condition or even with its abolition. Russian citizenship has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before starting the procedure, they must be weighed.