Residence permit, simplified procedure, other grounds

A residence permit is a document issued to a foreign citizen confirming his right to permanent residence in Russia, as well as the right to free entry and exit from Russia.

There are also other grounds for obtaining a residence permit in a simplified manner, in particular:

1. A foreign citizen who has been working in Russia for at least six months prior to the date of application for a residence permit in a profession (specialization, position) included in the list of professions (specializations, positions) of foreign citizens and stateless persons - qualified specialists who have the right to be admitted to Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. The list of professions is available at the following link.
2. A foreign citizen who has successfully mastered a state-accredited educational program of higher education in Russia in full-time education and received a document on education and qualifications with honors.
3. A foreign citizen permanently residing in Russia, who is a parent (adoptive parent, guardian, trustee), of a foreign citizen under the age of eighteen, or a foreign citizen who, in accordance with the legislation of a foreign state, is recognized as incapable or limited in legal capacity.
4. A foreign citizen who himself or his direct (in the direct ascending line) relative, whose adoptive parent or spouse has been subjected to illegal deportation from the territory of the Crimean ASSR, as well as his relative in the direct descending line, adopted children or spouse of the mentioned foreign citizen.
5. A person who resides in Russia and whose Russian citizenship has been terminated.
6. A person who resides in Russia and in respect of whom the decision to acquire Russian citizenship has been canceled, with the exception of persons in respect of whom this decision has been canceled on the basis of a court verdict that has entered into force.

The term for obtaining a residence permit on other grounds

The term for obtaining a residence permit on the above grounds is from 15 working days to 4 months. For more information, please contact the consultants of Confidence Group.

Validity of the residence permit

A residence permit on the above grounds is issued without limitation of validity.

It is very important to take into account that the stay of a foreign citizen outside Russia for more than 6 months in total during a calendar year entails the cancellation of a residence permit, except cases, when it is impossible to leave the territory of a foreign state due to circumstances related to the need for emergency treatment, a serious illness of this foreign citizen or the death of his close relative who lived in a foreign state at the time of death, as well as cases where a foreign citizen is outside Russia in connection with business needs.

A residence permit is issued to a foreign citizen regardless of age. This means that, in case of submitting a separate package of documents for a minor foreign citizen, he is issued a separate residence permit.

At the same time, a foreign citizen who has not reached the age of 16 years can be entered in the residence permits of his parents (legal representatives) at their request on the basis of an application drawn up in any form. When entering information about the child in the residence permit of the parents (legal representatives), a photograph of the child is pasted into the residence permit, regardless of his age.

A residence permit acts as an identity card only if it has been issued to a stateless person.

Where to apply

The applicant applies to the migration authority at the chosen place of permanent residence.

Rights of a foreign citizen with a residence permit in Russia

Any foreign citizen who has a residence permit has almost all the rights of citizens of Russia. Thus, he can:

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

• move from region to region, freely change their place of residence within Russia without warning the Ministry of Internal Affairs (only registration at a new place of residence is required);

• legally work in any subject of Russia without the registration of a work patent and a work permit;

• register your own company or become an individual entrepreneur;

• receive a pension, moreover, pension payments are accrued in the same terms as for Russian citizens;

• obtain a compulsory health insurance policy and use the services of state medical institutions free of charge;

• issue invitations for the entry of other foreign citizens into the territory of Russia;

• obtain a Russian driver's license and pass exams with the traffic police in the same manner as Russian citizens who apply to any convenient traffic police department;

• purchase and indefinitely register a car with the traffic police (in case of HQS - for the duration of the residence permit).

What privileges cannot be taken by a foreign citizen with a residence permit

A foreign citizen with a residence permit, unlike a Russian citizen, cannot:

• vote and be elected in elections of regional significance;

• serve in the Russian army or navy;

• hold political office and work in Russian security bodies;

• exit the country for a total of more than 6 months in a year.

In addition, a foreign citizen with a residence permit may face deportation if he commits certain offenses.

Where to apply

To obtain a residence permit, the applicant must contact the territorial migration authority at the permitted place of temporary residence.

Is it necessary to apply for a visa after obtaining a residence permit?

A foreign citizen, who has received a residence permit in Russia, enters the territory of the country in a visa-free regime.

In case of obtaining a residence permit for a foreign citizen from a visa country based on a HQS work permit, a visa is affixed to the passport of this foreign citizen for the duration of the HQS work permit.

Notifications of confirmation of residence in Russia

A foreign citizen permanently residing in Russia is obliged to submit a notification of confirmation of his residence in Russia to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at his place of residence (in absence - at the place of stay) within 2 months after the expiration of the next year from the date of receipt of the residence permit. In addition, the notification must be submitted by a foreign citizen only in person after each 5^th year of permanent residence in Russia.

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

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

All foreign citizens wishing to obtain a residence permit, with the exception of preferential categories and those not having the status of "native speaker of Russian language", must pass the testing.

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

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 in the program of resettlement of compatriots;

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

• HQS;

• citizens of Belarus.

Medical examination for obtaining a residence permit

Foreign citizens wishing to obtain a 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 of refusing to issue or canceling a residence permit is as follows:

• tuberculosis;

• leprosy (Hansen's disease);

• syphilis;

• HIV;

• COVID-19.

Registration at the place of residence/migration registration

It is necessary to submit an application for registration to the territorial unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the location of the residential premises within 7 working days after obtaining the residence permit.