Permanent Residence In Russia: Expats Guide
Embarking on the journey to secure permanent residence in Russia can feel like a thrilling expedition through vast and varied landscapes of paperwork, Right? But worry not, intrepid expats!
This article is your compass, guiding you through each twist and turn, ensuring you don’t get lost in the bureaucratic wilderness. Let’s set forth and explore the pathways to planting your roots in the rich Russian soil!
Let’s dive in!
What Is A Russian Permanent Residence Permit?
A permanent residency permit in Russia allows the individual to freely work, live and study in Russia. An individual is eligible to apply for a permanent permit after he/she has held a temporary residence visa for up to 2 years at least.
Temporary Vs. Permanent Residence Permit Russia
Russia has two types of residence permits, temporary and permanent, for foreign citizens who want to settle down in Russia.
Acquiring a residence permit in Russia leads to a Russian citizenship for those interested in obtaining a Russian passport.
How To Apply For A Permanent Resident Permit In Russia?
The procedure for applying for a permanent resident permit (PRP) is a detailed process and it is important for the individual to fully comprehend the requirements and the steps involved:
1. The first step will be to apply for a temporary resident permit. The individual must fill out the application, collect all documents and submit them to the office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or any local branch of the federal migration service.
2. It is important that you provide the Russian government with proper documents. You will also have to notify the government officials of the reason for your stay in Russia.
3. During your temporary stay in Russia, you must abide by their laws and fulfil any requirements they demand.
4. After being the holder of your temporary resident permit for at least two years, you will be eligible to apply for a permanent resident permit.
5. Collect all the required documents as mentioned above and head on to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or to the local immigration authorities.
6. After the submission of your application and documents, the individual should be prepared to endure a waiting period. The duration of this period depends on the volume of applications they have received.
7. Once the processing period is finished, you will either be asked to collect your permit in person or it might be mailed to you.
Keep in mind that the process might be a bit different for certain groups of people, but it is more or less the same for the general population.
Obtaining A Resident Permit Via Investor Residence Visa
According to Russia’s investment programme, Russia gives temporary resident permits to those looking to invest or open up businesses in Russia. The individual must fulfil specific requirements for him/her to apply via this method:
- The minimum amount to invest must be close to 9,700,000 Russian rubles.
- Russians have allocated specific industries where the investment must be made some of which include oil and gas, agriculture, energy, medicine, information technology etc.
- The individual must provide solid proof of the money to be invested to check its credibility.
- Prior to applying for an investor resident permit, the investor must live in Russia for 90 days.
The primary advantage of applying for a resident permit this way is that your processing time will be much shorter and you will be eligible to apply for a permanent resident permit way quicker.
Can A Temporary Residence Permit In Russia Be Denied?
A foreign individual wanting to move to Russia might get hit by a refusal for his/her request for a temporary resident permit on the following basis:
- The individual has a history of criminal records and has been involved in illegal activities.
- If the required documentation and forms are not provided to the Russian officials.
- The individual in any way has refused to abide by Russian laws.
What Is The Cost Of Obtaining Permanent Residence Permit?
| State fee for issuing a resident permit | 5000 rubles |
| Russian proficiency exam | 3000-5000 rubles |
| Medical examination | Does not exceed 6000 rubles |
What Are The Benefits Of A Permanent Residence Permit In Russia?
Being a permanent resident of Russia has many benefits:
✅You’re allowed to work freely and many employment opportunities open up for you.
✅The individual can live in Russia and can also buy property there if he/she wishes to.
✅Since the document is valid throughout the country, the person can also travel all over Russia by just showing his/her residence permit.
✅Additionally, obtaining a permanent resident permit in Russia also serves as a prerequisite for acquiring Russian citizenship.
✅On the basis of your resident permit, the individual can invite their family or friends to visit them in Russia.
✅You receive healthcare benefits including health insurance.
✅Free education which also includes secondary education.
Can You Travel With Your Russian Permanent Residence Permit?
Individuals who have a resident permit can travel abroad without any restrictions. They’ll be granted access to entering Russia based on their residence permit and won’t have to show any further documents.
Can A Russian Residence Permit Expire?
It is important to consider that your permanent resident permit might be subject to cancellation if you’ve been abroad for more than 6 months, although there are some exceptions where you might be safe.
How To Maintain Russian Permanent Residence?
Upon obtaining your Russian resident permit, it will be considered valid for an unlimited period of time but will have to be renewed once every five years.
The permit will be considered valid as long as the holder continues to meet the requirements set by the Russian government.
How Long Does It Take To Get Permanent Residency In Russia?
The Russian government requires the individual applying for a permanent resident permit to be at least a holder of the temporary residency permit for 2 years.
You can acquire your temporary resident permit based on either working in Russia or going there for the purposes of education.
Unlike some other countries, Russia does not restrict the individual to renew his/her temporary resident permit after a period of 2 years. Instead, you can directly apply for a permanent resident permit.
Who Can Get A Permanent Residence Permit In Russia With Reduced Waiting Time?
There are some categories of people who may experience a reduced waiting time for their permanent resident permit:
Spouses Or Close Relatives
of Russian citizens: Children, parents and spouses of Russian citizens will be subject to a relatively less waiting period as compared to other individuals.
Investors
Individuals who invest a substantial amount in Russia will also have the advantage of going through the process much faster. Investing may include the purchase of real estate, contribution to business which the locals will also benefit from, or funding development projects.
Skilled Professionals
Russia’s “Highly Qualified Specialists” programme offers highly skilled people from all over the world to come and work there. Based on this programme, the individuals’ processing time might be significantly accelerated.
Russian Ancestors
An individual who has a direct ancestor in Russia might be eligible for a reduced waiting time under certain circumstances.
Pensioners And Retirees
The Russian government offers special packages to this category if they can successfully prove a stable line of income, e.g. pension.
Former Citizens Of The Soviet Union
People with a permanent resident permit before 2002 will go through a much faster and simpler process.
Refugees And Asylum Seekers
Upon proving a genuine reason for seeking asylum in Russia, the Russian government may prove to be a bit lenient in their process of handing out a permanent resident permit.
What Are The Requirements For A Permanent Residence Permit In Russia
Regardless of which type of residency permit a foreigner is applying for, they will have to submit these documents:
- An application form. You can either fill it out at home or obtain it from the migration centre and fill it out when submitting other documents.
- 4 valid passport-sized photos.
- Your passport. Keep in mind your passport must have an expiry of at least 2 months prior to you filling out the application form otherwise they will not be accepted.
- Proof of financial stability. This includes your bank statements or a personal income tax certificate.
- A health certificate proving that the individual does not suffer from any disease that is contagious. The certificate remains valid for a period of 3 months.
- A certificate of proficiency in the Russian language, if required.
- Documents regarding the confirmation of the place of residence.
In some cases, the individual might be asked to provide additional documents or might be called for an interview.
In the case of foreign citizens applying, it is compulsory for them to show their temporary resident permit.
Foreign citizens looking to settle in Russia with their children must also provide the birth certificates of their children.
Requirements For A Permanent Residence Permit For Family Members Of Foreign Nationals In Russia
In order to obtain a permanent resident permit (PRP) this way, the individual must be related to the primary holder of the permit in one of the following ways:
- Spouse or partner of the PRP holder.
- Children, under the age of 18, of the PRP holder.
- Children of the PRP holder who suffer from any form of disability.
- Old age or dependent parents of the PRP holder.
The individual must provide proof of relation to the primary PRP holder. This may include a marriage certificate, birth certificate or any other legal documentation relating to your relation with the PRP holder.
Upon proving your relation, it is most likely that the individual will first receive a temporary resident permit and after a certain period of time, they’ll be eligible to apply for a permanent residency in Russia.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you’ve navigated the diverse terrains of Russian bureaucracy and are now well-equipped with the knowledge to secure your permanent residence!
Remember, this guide is your reliable map in this adventure, use it whenever you feel you’re veering off course. Here’s to establishing your homestead in the boundless expanses of Russia!
Happy Living!
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