Temporary residence permit by marriage

Obtaining a temporary residence permit by marriage

A temporary residence permit is a document that allows a foreign citizen to live and work for 3 years in the territory of the entity that issued this document.

The grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit are specified in Articles 6, 115 of the Federal Law of 25.07.2002 "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Territory of Russia". Both quota and quota-free grounds are among them.

Marriage with a citizen of Russia who has a permanent place of residence is among the quota-free grounds for a foreign citizen to obtain a temporary residence permit in Russia. At the same time, the submission of documents for a temporary residence permit, in this case, takes place in the subject of Russia, in which the citizen of Russia (the spouse) is registered at the place of residence.

The original marriage certificate will be the main document for applying for a temporary residence permit. Please note that in some regions of Russia, the personal visit of the citizen of Russia (the spouse) to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs can be required to sign an explanation of responsibility for concluding a fictitious marriage.

Terms of obtaining a temporary residence permit

The application for a temporary residence permit is considered for about 4 months from the date of submission of documents if a foreign citizen arrived in Russia in a manner requiring a visa. For foreign citizens staying in Russia on a visa-free basis, the period for consideration of documents is 45-50 working days.

Please note that there is a pre-registration for the submission of documents, which is conducted 1-2 months in advance, depending on the season.

Documents required for obtaining a temporary residence permit by marriage:

·         2 copies of the completed application for the issuance of a temporary residence permit;

·         2 photos sized 35×45 mm;

·         identity document + its translation;

·         marriage certificate;

·         internal Russian passport of the spouse (citizen of Russia);

·         documents confirming that a foreign citizen does not have drug addiction and infectious diseases that pose danger to others, provided for in the list approved by the federal executive body authorized by the Government of Russia, as well as a certificate of the applicant's absence of a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV infection);

·         a document confirming the absence of a criminal record or, if any, containing information about the crime for which the applicant was convicted. This document is not required for foreign citizens who arrive in Russia in a manner that does not require a visa;

·         a document confirming the foreign citizen's proficiency of Russian language, knowledge of the history of Russia and the basics of the legislation of Russia;

·         notification of migration registration + its copy;

·         migration card + its copy.

Confirmation of proficiency of Russian language, knowledge of the history of Russia and the basics of the legislation of Russia

One of the conditions for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Russia for foreign citizens is to obtain confirmation of proficiency of Russian language, knowledge of the history of Russia and the basics of the legislation of Russia.

Who does not need to be tested to confirm knowledge of Russian language, knowledge of the history of Russia and the basics of the legislation of Russia

The legislation establishes the following list of persons who are not required to be tested:

·         incapacitated foreign citizens and stateless persons;

·         minor foreign citizens and stateless persons (children under the age of 18);

·         men after 65 years and women after 60 years (retirement age);

·         participants of the program of resettlement of compatriots;

·         foreign citizens and stateless persons who have received the status of a native speaker of Russian language;

·         HQS (highly qualified specialists);

·         citizens of Belarus;

·         citizens LPR and DPR.

Medical examination for obtaining a temporary residence permit

Foreign citizens wishing to obtain a temporary residence permit must undergo a mandatory medical examination in any medical organization from the list of approved organizations in the relevant subject of Russia.

Medical examination of foreign citizens and stateless persons is carried out in order to confirm the presence or absence of drug addiction and infectious diseases that pose danger to others.

The list of infectious diseases that pose danger to others and are the basis for refusing to issue or cancellation of the temporary residence permit is as follows:

·         tuberculosis;

·         leprosy (Hansen's disease);

·         syphilis;

·         HIV;

·         COVID-19.

Fingerprint registration of foreign citizens

The procedure of fingerprint registration of all foreign citizens who have reached the age of 6 is a mandatory condition for obtaining a temporary residence permit.

As a result of the procedure, a fingerprint card (dactocard) is issued to those persons who entered Russia after 21.12.2021.

Registration at the place of residence/migration registration

After receiving the temporary residence permit, the foreign citizen must apply to the territorial unit of the Main Department of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for registration at the location of the living premises within 7 working days.

Legalization of documents for citizens from countries with visa regime with Russia

When applying for a temporary residence permit for citizens from countries with visa regime with Russia, in addition to their correct completion, their legalization on the territory of Russia is required.

There are two options for this:

·         Official documents and acts issued by organizations and institutions of foreign states that are part of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, are accepted for consideration if they have an apostille.

·         Official documents and acts issued by organizations and institutions of foreign states that are not part of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, are subject to consular legalization.

Annual notification of residency

A foreign citizen who has a temporary residence permit on the territory of Russia, must personally or using public information and telecommunication networks (for example, the State Services portal) submit a notification of confirmation of his residence in Russia attaching a certificate of income, copies of a tax return statement or other document confirming the amount and source of income for the latest year to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 2 months from the date of expiration of the next year from the date of receipt of the temporary residence permit. Submission of documents through a representative is not provided.

Important: the specified notification can be submitted at a later date in case of admissible excuses, but not later than 6 months from the date of expiration of the next year from the date of receipt of the temporary residence permit. Documents confirming the impossibility of submitting this notification within the prescribed period may be submitted in an electronic form.

Late submission of the notification of residency in Russia is an administrative offense for which a fine with or without administrative expulsion is provided.

What date is considered the date of receipt of the temporary residence permit

The date of receipt of the temporary residence permit is the date of actual stamping in the passport.

Obtaining a temporary residence permit visa

A temporary resident visa is issued to foreign citizens on the basis of a temporary residence permit in Russia. The visa is multiple entry, the validity of the temporary resident visa is equal to the validity period of the temporary residence permit, which is 3 years.

If a positive decision is made to issue a temporary residence permit for a foreign citizen, simultaneously with its receipt, a temporary resident visa will be affixed to his passport.

Please note that a visa is not required for citizens of one of the following countries, in accordance with international agreements providing for visa-free entry for citizens with a temporary residence permit in Russia, namely:

·         Germany;

·         Bosnia and Herzegovina;

·         Republic of Macedonia;

·         Mongolia;

·         Republic of Croatia;

·         Republic of Poland;

·         Republic of Serbia;

·         Republic of Italy;

·         Republic of Turkey;

·         Montenegro.

Also, according to the Decree of the President of Russia of June 17, 2008 No. 977 "On the Procedure for Entry into Russia and Exit from Russia of Stateless Persons Residing in the Republic of Latvia or the Republic of Estonia", a stateless person residing in the territory of Latvia and Estonia is not required to apply for a visa.

Rights of a foreign citizen who has received a temporary residence permit

A foreign citizen who has received a temporary residence permit becomes a temporary resident of Russia. The citizen or stateless person having a temporary residence permit can do the following:

·           freely enter the territory of Russia and leave the country;

·           legally work in a constituent entity of Russia without obtaining a work patent and a work permit;

·           register your own company or become an individual entrepreneur;

·           get free medical care and visit state medical institutions at the place of residence.