HOW TO ACQUIRE RUSSIAN CITIZENSHIP

Many Africans in Russia are constantly looking for opportunities to stay in Russia long term- whether by acquiring a permanent residency or by going for full citizenship.

Getting permanent residency is, however, a good first step if you’re planning to become a Russian citizen in the future.

Some people might even choose to remain permanent residents and continue to renew that status, instead of going ahead to become citizens.

 

Permanent Residence

As a permanent resident in Russia, you have access to a lot of benefits similar to a full-fledged citizen. For example, you can go in and out of the country without a visa, get jobs without a work permit, set up a business, vote in elections etc. 

The major limitations are just that you do not possess the passport and all the extra privileges that come with it; you can be deported if any serious issues arise; you cannot serve in the military and your electoral rights are somewhat limited.

The Russian permanent residence used to be valid for five years, after which you may decide to renew. However, starting from 2021, Russia started issuing permanent resident cards valid for 100 years.

You will need to present certain documents to the issuing office:

– a valid passport or ID,

– passport photographs

– proof of proficiency in Russian,

– proof of accommodation,

– proof of sufficient income to sustain yourself financially,

– proof of HIV negative status

 

The Russian Citizenship Process

As of 5 April, 2022, Russian passport holders have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 118 territories, ranking the Russian passport 49th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley passport index.

In addition to that, you have complete access to one of the lowest tax jurisdictions in the world (13-15% flat tax).

You can acquire citizenship either by naturalization, by birth or by marriage. There also exists other criteria on which you can acquire Russian citizenship in a very short period of time (simplified route).

We will talk about most of them below:

 

By Naturalization (Usual Route)

First of all, you must have gotten the permanent residence permit and must have lived in Russia for at least five years without living outside the country for more than six months in any year.

You must also:

• agree to obey the Russian constitution
• prove that you have a good understanding of the Russian language, law and history (by taking standardized tests)
• have a steady source of income to support yourself and your family.

 

It has become quite easy to acquire Russian citizenship in the last couple of years, especially if you are actively living and working in the country.

It can, however, take up to a year to receive the decision on your citizenship application, but if you are granted, your new passport will remain valid for ten years.

If your application is rejected, you are still allowed to appeal for a reconsideration at a court, and that can also take more time.

 

By Marriage

One of the most common ways to get Russian citizenship is by simply marrying a citizen and you don’t have to renounce your current citizenship.

This application path takes more time but you can apply for a temporary residence permit, then a permanent one, after which you may apply for citizenship. If you don’t have kids in the union, you may apply for Russian citizenship only when the marriage is at least three years old.

The requirements are similar as above: the usual documents, proof of Russian proficiency and your certificate of marriage to a Russian citizen.

 

By Marriage with (a) Common Child(ren)- Simplified Route

The process of acquiring Russian citizenship by marriage has been described in details above, however it becomes easier and faster if there is a child in the marriage. If you meet this criteria, you may apply for Russian citizenship directly with your temporary resident permit.

You do not need to have a permanent resident permit. However if you already have one, you may use it to apply for Russian citizenship. The main differences with this criteria and the one described earlier are;

-You do not need to wait for your marriage to clock 3 years.

-You do not need to get your permanent residency before applying for Russian citizenship.

Through Your Russian Child

If you live in Russia legally and have a child who is a Russian citizen (you don’t have to be married to the other parent), you may apply for a Russian permanent resident permit. You will, however, be required to take a Russian proficiency test.

Once you receive your permanent resident permit, you may press for Russian citizenship through the usual route to citizenship, that is, living in Russia for 5 years as a permanent resident.

However, if you meet some criteria, there are faster and easier means to secure the Russian passport (simplified route):

1. If the child is under 18 years of age and it is proven that the second parent who is a Russian citizen cannot cater for the child due to different reasons which may include: death, disability or incapability, loss of custody rights etc, you may be able to apply for a Russian passport in a simplified process.That is, you don’t need to go through the usual route which requires living in Russia as a permanent resident for 5 years.

 

2. If the child is over 18 years of age and has the capacity to work, you may apply for Russian citizenship through the simplified route.

 

3. If the child is over 18 years of age, and it has been proven that he lacks the capacity to work, you may apply for Russian citizenship through the simplified procedure only if the other parent (Russian citizen) cannot fulfill their parental commitments due to different reasons: death, loss of custody rights, etc.

 

Graduates with First Class (Red Diplom) from a Russian State University- Simplified Route

From 2019, people who study in Russia and graduate with a first class may apply for permanent residency in the simplified format.

After submission of documents, it takes about four months for a decision to be taken and permanent resident permit granted. Once you get the permit, you may apply for Russian citizenship through the usual route or the simplified route if you meet certain criteria.

Before you start the process, make sure you understand the following nuances:

• You must have studied full time and graduated from a Russian higher educational institution (a university). Colleges and other similar institutions do not count.
• You must have graduated with a first class (krasny diplom).
• Your educational institution must be licensed and your course of study must be accredited.

 

Quota (Lottery)

Every year, the Russian government gives out quotas with which foreigners may apply for a temporary resident permit. Once this is gotten, you may follow the usual route to get a permanent resident permit and later on, citizenship.

In larger cities like Moscow, Saint Petersburg etc. The process is usually very competitive, as there are many people trying to secure the available few spots. In smaller cities, the opposite is the case. So if you are a student and have plans to live in Russia, you may consider this option.

 

By Profession- Simplified Route

There is a list of 135 professions that is in high demand in Russia and critical to its development. If you fall under this profession, you may be able to acquire Russian citizenship through the simplified route.

However it should be noted that you will need to get the permanent resident permit first, after which you may acquire citizenship.

English teachers are also part of this list. So if you work officially as an English teacher and earn 1 million rubles or more yearly, you can apply for Russian citizenship through the simplified route.

You may apply for permanent residency as little as 6 months after working legally and citizenship as soon as you clock one year of legal labour in Russia.

Before you start your application, note the following:

• Your speciality must fall in the list of high demand professions compiled by the ministry of labour.
• A Russian degree is not a must.
• You must have worked in Russia legally for a period of 1 year before you can apply for citizenship.

 

Entrepreneurs and Business People- Simplified Route

If you are an entrepreneur or a business person who has done business in Russia for a minimum of three years with yearly revenue above 10 million rubles, you are eligible to apply for the Russian passport through the simplified route.

Start exploring these paths and we’ll send you congratulations when your application is approved!

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