Temporary residence permit by education

Obtaining a temporary residence permit by education

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". There are both quota and quota-free grounds among them.

Having professional education received in a state organization of higher education, a state professional educational organization or a state scientific organization located in the territory of Russia, according to state-accredited educational programs, is among the quota-free grounds for a foreign citizen to obtain a temporary residence permit in Russia, in this case, a foreign citizen must have the citizenship of a state that was part of the USSR.

The main document that is the basis for applying for a temporary residence permit will be the original state diploma of education.

Please note that this basis is similar, but significantly different from the basis for obtaining a residence permit in a simplified manner, where it is required to obtain a document on education and qualifications with honors in a Russian educational institution that has state accreditation.

Keep in mind that, although there is no indication in the law that an educational institution must have state accreditation at the time of issuing the diploma, in practice, documents for registration of a temporary residence permit will not be accepted without providing confirmation that the university had state accreditation at the time of graduation of the foreign citizen.

Also keep in mind that the procedure for state accreditation of universities was introduced in Russia only in the mid-90s of the 20^th century.

The terms for consideration of documents for registration of a temporary residence permit by education is 4 months. After obtaining a temporary residence permit and living in the territory of Russia for more than 8 months, the foreign citizen can apply for a residence permit in Russia in a simplified manner, the consideration period of this process will also be about 4 months.

So, if the final goal of a foreign citizen is to obtain citizenship of Russia, then he needs to go through the following stages of legalization in Russia:

1. Obtaining a temporary residence permit on the basis of marriage with a citizen of Russia.

2. Residing in Russia for at least 8 months from the date of receipt of the temporary residence permit.

3. Obtaining a residence permit.

4. Obtaining citizenship of Russia.

Terms of obtaining a temporary residence permit

If a foreign citizen arrived in Russia in a manner requiring a visa, an application for a temporary residence permit is considered for about 4 months from the date of submission of documents. 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 appointment system for the submission of documents, which is conducted 1-2 months in advance, depending on the season.

Documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit by education:

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

·         2 photos sized 35×45 mm;

·         identity document + its translation;

·         the original document on education + a document confirming the accreditation of the university;

·         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 submitted by a foreign citizen who arrived in Russia in a visa-free basis;

·         notification of migration registration + its copy;

·         migration card + its copy.

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.