Russia and new rules, 5&6. Russia and fines everyday. This is to tell you how fast in recent times the laws in Russia hit you and how you can get into trouble if you don’t stay informed.
Recently in Russia, foreigners and even citizens at large have experienced a surge in laws that concern them. Almost everyday, the authorities have a new law being passed and it is important to stay ahead at all times so as not to be caught off-guard. Some of these laws are critical and flouting them can result in punishments ranging from fines to even deportation.
The laws range from minor decrees to big laws that are important to the conduct of foreigners and in every case, ignorance is never an excuse. One has to be extremely cautious.
Just recently, on November 5, 2025, The President of the Russian Federation signed Decree No. 821, “On the Temporary Procedure for Admission to Citizenship of the Russian Federation and Issuance of Residence Permits in the Russian Federation.”
The document establishes additional requirements for obtaining a residence permit in the Russian Federation and acquiring Russian citizenship for certain categories of men aged 18 to 65.
In relation to this, Decree No. 10 dated January 4, 2024, “On the Admission to Citizenship of the Russian Federation of Foreign Citizens Who Have Signed Contracts for Military Service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or Military Formations, and Their Family Members,” has also been declared invalid.
In particular, according to the new Decree No. 821, applicants for citizenship or residence permits must also provide an excerpt from the order of dismissal from military service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, military formations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, or a document confirming unfitness for military service.
These requirements do not apply to citizens of Belarus, certain categories of compatriots, individuals who have received professional education in the Russian Federation, and participants in the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots living abroad.
Additionally, the Decree regulates issues regarding the simplified procedure for granting citizenship of the Russian Federation and issuing residence permits to foreign citizens and stateless persons who have signed contracts for military service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or military formations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.
What this new law generally means is that:
If you are a man aged 18 to 65 applying for Russian citizenship or even a Residence Permit, you now have an extra requirement to consider. You must provide a document that proves your military status in Russia.
This means you MUST show:
Proof you were dismissed (finished) from Russian military service (in the Armed Forces or Ministry of Emergency Situations).
Proof that you are officially unfit for military service.
Or generally, proof that you are done with (or exempt from) Russian military service when applying for permanent status in the Russian Federation.
Again, the new military paperwork requirement DOES NOT apply to citizens of Belarus, individuals who completed professional education (a degree) in Russia, participants in the State Program for Resettlement of Compatriots, or certain other categories of “compatriots” (usually people with a cultural or historical connection to Russia).
On Russian Citizenship
The rules for Russian citizenship are updated regularly but there are two main pathways: the General Procedure (Naturalization) and the Simplified Procedure.
General Procedure (The Standard Path)
This is the standard, longest path to citizenship. Foreign nationals must meet several cumulative requirements:
1. Residency Requirement
- You must have permanently resided in Russia on the basis of a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) for five years continuously before applying for citizenship.
- The residency is considered continuous if you have not left the country for more than three months in any given year.
- (Note: The path typically involves first obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP), then a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) before the 5-year count starts.)
2. Legal Capacity
- You must be at least 18 years old and have full legal capacity.
3. Knowledge of Russian
- You must demonstrate proficiency in the Russian language through an official examination.
4. Knowledge of History and Law
- You must also demonstrate basic knowledge of Russian history and the basics of Russian legislation (this is usually part of the same complex exam).
5. Legal Income
- You must present proof of a legal and stable source of income to support yourself and your family.
6. Compliance
- You must agree to abide by the Constitution and laws of the Russian Federation.
Simplified Procedure (Common Exemptions)
Many applicants can skip the five-year residency requirement and other steps if they fall into a specific category. While the full list is extensive, common grounds for the simplified procedure include:
- Being married to a Russian citizen and having a common child (the previous 3-year marriage requirement is now often replaced by the need for a common child).
- Having a parent, son, or daughter who is a Russian citizen and registered as residing in Russia.
- Being a former USSR citizen or being born in the RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, which was the name of the Russian Federation before 1991).
- Having received secondary vocational or higher education in Russia and/or worked legally in the Russian Federation for at least one year in a relevant specialty.
- Foreign citizens who have signed a contract for military service in the Russian Armed Forces (as mentioned above).
- Participating in the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots living abroad.
Key Points to Remember
- Russia generally allows its citizens to hold another citizenship, though it previously only had formal agreements with a few countries. However, all Russian citizens are treated only as Russian citizens by the Russian state.
- Successful applicants must take the Oath of the Citizen of the Russian Federation before being officially granted citizenship.
The process is highly dependent on an applicant’s individual circumstances and the specific documents they can provide.
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Have a wonderful week ahead.
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