If you’re living in Russia without legal status, there’s good news! President Putin has signed Decree № 1126, giving all illegal foreigners a chance to regularize their status without the risk of deportation or a ban. We interviewed someone that has gone through the Amnesty Procedure and has knowledge on the peculiarities of the whole journey. Please read carefully.
Hello, please can you give us a step-step by step guide on how you went through the amnesty process?
The first thing is getting the required documents, which is your valid passport, immigration card and translation of your passport. It is necessary to have these documents. Registration is optional.
At SAKHAROVA- (Sakharova is the address of the immigration office in Moscow), there might be some initial issues because the security officials do not really understand what is meant to be done. They can tell you different things because they don’t exactly know what is going on inside. They can tell you to go to different windows like 2Б, 2В or 7.
If you successfully get into the hall, you get a талон (number ticket). Once it’s your turn they might ask you questions like, “Is this the first time you are coming here?” For some people they don’t ask them questions, you will just be asked to sign some documents.
After that, you get a yellow band, then you go into entrance 3. At entrance 3, you walk straight down until you get to a point with those types of turnstile access control gates that you find at the metro (those types that allow one person to pass at a time). You scan the QR code on your yellow band and then you take a left turn and then a left turn again.
Now, there are machines there at the junction. After the second left turn, walk straight down again and on your right, there is the entrance machine again. Do not wait at the queue after entering, keep it straight and use the next machine for entrance then your right and then your left immediately again, you will see people wearing white standing over a machine, give them your passport to assist you in payment. This is where you can pay for your штрав (fines).
How much is this fine?
The fine is 7000 rub and medicals is 8000 rub.
After this, you keep walking, you find another similar gate like the first one and your number will be on the waiting list up front. Even though your number is on the waiting list, you are not meant to just stand there. You are to look for another machine where you can possibly pay for your medicals. You pay for your medicals and then proceed to look for sector D. Sector D is for fingerprinting and immigration police clearance.
When entering sector D, you have to scan your QR code again. Immediately you scan it, you look up and it displays the section number you are meant to go to. Just a side note, anytime you scan your QR code, you will be shown the sector or room you need to go to.
After going in, you wait, keep your eyes on the screen. It’s a big hall and there are screens up in front of each row, let’s say after scanning, your row is number 5, you will go to row number 5 and sit directly there. When they call your number or name, you can then fingerprint.
For FINGERPRINTING, sometimes they ask for registration, but if they see that you weren’t using it from the beginning of the process, they might not have a problem. When you are done with your fingerprinting, there are stand numbers 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, etc. If let’s say for example, a person’s number where they did their fingerprint was 5. The person that attended to you at 5 will tell you to go to stand number 8.
At stand number 8, you will do police clearance and the immigration police will be there. They check their database and ask you to sign some documents. Now, for those documents you will have to re-write it out in your handwriting. It says, “I understand Russian and I agree to this procedure”.
Is this statement written in English or Russian?
You have to write it in Russian. In addition to that statement, you write- “I don’t need a translator or a lawyer”, and you sign
When you are done signing, you will be asked to pay the fine if you haven’t paid it earlier. They will ask for your address and that is why they ask for registration. Even if you don’t have registration, they will want to know where you live. When they are done collecting the details of your address, for those that need to pay the fine now, the payment place is directly behind stand 8. Next, they package your documents and ask you to go for medicals.
At MEDICALS, there are a lot of those gates that need your QR code, you can only get access to the different medical rooms by scanning your QR code at the entrance of these gates. When you are done with the medicals you exit the place. Upon exit, if you are not done with all the process, when you scan your QR code, the machine will inform you on what exactly is missing and what room you have to go to and you will have to go back and do it. That is all for the first day. You then wait to get your medicals and then you get your foreigner’s card.
Is a foreigner’s card the same as the green card?
No, a foreigner’s card is a brown card. You can learn more about it here.
Note: you have to wait days for your medicals. When you get your medicals, you have to get a green card then you have to get an official job or enroll in school and you use this proof of admission or the work contract you get in order to qualify for a visa.
The truth is, I don’t know how to best explain, this is the best explanation I can give to anyone because even at that place. People get different numbers, different rooms. For instance, someone didn’t pay the fine because he didn’t do police clearance and he was still able to exit. It is possible he might still have to pay later on. In fact for the fines, not everyone will get the same amount. Depending on the officer that attends to you, the process is quite unique or personal for everyone.
So what determines the amount a person has to pay?
Honestly, I don’t know. The funny thing is, these guys from CIS countries are presenting certificates of Russian language before they are allowed at the police clearance place but we were not asked to present anything like that.
ANONYMOUS QUESTIONS WE RECEIVED FROM OUR COMMUNITY
I would like to ask how to become a legal and permanent resident in Russia with a family.
That I don’t know, but I believe everyone has to go individually through the amnesty process. They might have to apply individually.
My visa will expire soon please can I do this to extend my visa or just go back to my country to renew my visa.
Oh yeah, I forgot to say that this process takes over a month. I actually went to a law firm first and consulted them. The first thing they asked was if I have a ban, that is, have I been instructed to leave the country? They also asked if I have a criminal record in my country? Not just in Russia, but in my home country, then I said “No.” I was told that somebody a week before I came had a criminal record and didn’t get the amnesty. In fact, he was deported immediately. This firm told me that the process takes at least 2 weeks or 1 month and in some cases, six weeks so it is advisable to start early. This is true because I know someone that started early and is still waiting for green card,
The whole process takes time. What you are given at the end is not a visa but a sticker which shows you are legalised. You still have to get a visa- this is after getting a green card and job employment or enrollment in a school. So now, even if the police see the sticker, they know that you are now legal and your documents are in processing.
My VID was cancelled because I got 2 штрав (fines). Am I eligible for the amnesty?
Of course, you don’t have a ban. Once you don’t have a ban you are eligible. As long as the court did not tell you to leave the country, you can go there. Even if you have been picked up by the police before.
Please, I want to know what kind of document you received after going. Was it just a one year visa or a resident permit?
It is dependent on what you have to do in the country after the process. If you get enrolled in a school, you will get a student visa and you can then use the visa to apply for RVPO. If you get work too, you get a work visa.
So after you get the sticker that shows you are legalised, you still have to get a job or enroll in school before you can get a visa. The thing is you have to get something that will get you a guaranteed visa on your passport.
The law firm I asked said that with the sticker, you can exit and come into the country, but I don’t advise that. It is better to get your green card and look for something that will get you a guaranteed visa on your passport. It is dangerous to leave the country when you are not fully legalised. And enrolling in school is easier. I even have a school in Saratov that is willing to give me. In fact, they made me know about the amnesty process.
Please, I am undocumented no registration, no visa. Is it safe to go there and do the medical?
As long as you have immigration card and a translation of your passport, you can go. I took someone with a Fan ID status on Friday. She had never done registration earlier and she was able to get the process done.
Anyone without immigration card will not be attended to, they will send you away or even deport you. Immigration card, from my experience, is very important. There are only two reasons why you don’t have immigration card: it could be that you came through Belarus or that it went missing. If it got lost, you can get it again. But if you don’t have it at all, your name is not even in the database and you cannot go through the process.
What about people who came with Fan ID in 2018? Are they eligible for the amnesty?
Yes, check the answer above.
I wanted to ask if you need a registration and migration card to process the whole thing in place, can someone with a fan ID go there?
Yes, the question has been answered above.
Good day, my dear brother. Thanks for your assistance. Please, I have been with FanID since 2018. I don’t have any issues related to ban or fine. I heard that the amnesty is for any illegal immigrants irrespective of any thing that took them in legally. Please have anyone with FanID benefited from this? Thanks.
Yes, Fan ID can be granted. It doesn’t matter.
Please can you make inquiries about fan ID People when next you visit the office, what is required for them to be legalised.
It has been answered, check above.
Can someone who came with Fan ID apply for this amnesty? Maybe married or have not married apply for this amnesty
Yes.
Please I came on an invitation visa, by my brother. He is married and has the passport already, but on time of arrival the law changed and I have been stuck. I am in krasnoyarsk. I want to ask if the invitation visa still qualifies for the amnesty . Without any deportation issue.
Once you have immigration card, you are able to go.
Please, how can I go about the amnesty process? I am a student whose visa just expired, and please can I know the name of your school so I can also apply? Thank you.
Just go to the address in Moscow. Search for the Multifunctional Migration Center, at Sakharova.
Did the medical result take 1 day, and after getting the result. Is it at the МВД you did the fingerprint.
Yes, you do everything inside before leaving. You just have to come back for the result after a few days/weeks.
People who don’t live in Moscow are required to do this too?
If you don’t live in Moscow, you have to look for the center in your city and first approach them. You have to be wise though– maybe a friend can go ask or you look for information however possible. I went there first just to make enquiries, the woman there was asking if I had a visa and I didn’t respond, i just told her I wanted to make enquiries and she said she doesn’t know, I left after that. After that, four guys went after me to ask and they were deported. This was before the process started in February at Sakharova.
Good evening. Ok, I don’t have deportation or ban but sometime ago in 2021, I got an exit visa but didn’t exit the country. Can I still apply for the amnesty?
I don’t know, honestly. But I think an exit visa always comes with a ban, because you were given an exit visa with a court order to come back after, depending on the court, it might be 2, 3 or 5 years. You are not allowed to enter the country during this time and that is what a ban is. What I advise you to do is to get a lawyer, an immigration lawyer that provides migration services- like the law firm I went to, I can share their address. The lawyers will know what to do. “ADDRESS: Sila Prava– Migration services • Moscow, Mira Avenue, 16c2. CONTACT:+7 980 800-46-52“
Can someone with deportation get amnesty?
No.
Please sir, what about people with a marriage certificate?
What does this mean, married to a Russian? Okay, there was a guy I went with on Friday. This guy was married to a Russian but is now divorced but he had a green card and everything and his visa only expired recently. He had a lot of trouble but he eventually was successful.
If someone entered Russia with a Belarus one month visa in 2021 is he eligible for the amnesty?
This person entered through the back door and probably doesn’t have an immigration card. You cannot go through the amnesty process without immigration card. What you have is a Belarus visa.
What if the person is not good with the Russian language, are there chances he’ll be granted amnesty?
It doesn’t matter for black people, I believe. But for these guys from CIS countries, they were asking them to take the Russian language test there. There are chances they may ask though, I am only sharing based on my experience. But I don’t feel like they will ask someone that is going back to school, for example. You can just tell them you plan to start studying with a Russian language course first.
When you are going through the whole process, do they ask you what your plan is after?
No, they don’t ask. Although you have to plan ahead and plan well because the amnesty process ends by 30th of April 2025 and you will need to get a visa.
Good afternoon. I’m in another town, Krasnodar to be precise. I went to the МВД and immigration center. They said nothing could be done, that only those with a Red diploma can undergo the procedure. I have two degrees here. 1 for masters and 1 for PhD. My visa ended in 2023. I’d like to know if someone from another town can come and do the procedure in Moscow because in my town, they are deporting people instead. Also, when you did it, what status were you given please.
I don’t think another person from another city can come to Moscow for the process because, on your passport the last visa you had carries the name of your city and they will photocopy it. I can ask when I go there. Another thing is this process has not yet started in all cities. In fact when I came here earlier, they said they did not know anything about it.
Hi! I’ve been through the process and successfully got my foreigners card and green card. I’d like to know the conclusion of your process if you successfully got a visa and registration and how they kept repeating at Sakharova that they didn’t give you a visa. Thanks!
The question has been answered above please. Please the person who asked this question, I need to get in touch with them. I will have to ask, because it is not Sakharova that gives the visa.
After you get the green card, do you have to go to Nigeria when applying for a student or work visa?
No.
Greetings sir, please what’s the first step towards this, is it the police station first or the immigration office? Time is no more on our side. Some of us are very eager to do it but just don’t know where to begin. It’s been zoom meeting after zoom meeting but still no concrete information.
Go to your immigration office. For those in Moscow, go to Sakharova.
For the А Б Д М, what does the А, Б, Д signify?
A- is Registration. Б- is where you pay your fine. Д- is data, more like police clearance and М- is medicals.
Can someone with a ban apply?
No
What about when some courts have given orders to go back to Nigeria and the person did not go does that person have a chance for this amnesty?
If you were given a 5-year ban for example and the 5 years have passed but you are still in Russia, the ban is no longer valid. But everything will show in their database that you didn’t leave the country and that might be a problem. Anyone that has a ban issue whether it is over or not, it is advisable you get a lawyer. There is a deportation camp at that place and you can’t run, you have to be smart and wise about how you go about it. Getting a lawyer is the best option.
Did you write any exam?
No.
What about those whose visa expired 10 years ago can they still go through the process of the Amnesty?
I believe so. Read the information above carefully.
Hello. Please can someone who came to the 2018 World cup apply? Is a Russian language certificate needed?
These questions have been answered above.
Who gives green cards? Hospital or Immigration?
Hospital cannot give green card, only immigration.
If someone who came to Russia with a business visa came to Russia and the person’s visa expired and started staying illegally, is it possible for the person to get amnesty? If yes, what are the procedures for the person and how can the person do it or go about it.
In the order that the president gave, it is stated that no matter the type of visa you used to get into this country, you are allowed to go through the amnesty process. Except if you have been given a ban or you have tuberculosis or HIV.
Did he do any test? Because I have been hearing tests and medicals.
Yes. If you are a chronic smoker, for example, you need to be careful because of the tests. The medicals are very very important in this process also.
Good evening, please I want to know what are the requirements for the amnesty process, and i also want to know the question the question they will ask me, like what is my reasons for the amnesty, and if someone who does not know how to speak Russian can you go there, and is there any exam for the processing
You won’t be asked any questions. In fact, if they speak Russian to you and you don’t understand, you won’t be asked to do anything. Read the information above carefully.
Did you go to the immigration first or medical? Can you just write the process you went to from beginning, wait time between and how long each process all took?
I really can’t talk about the wait time, it can take time. All I know is that you just finish everything in the first stage before you exit. Read the information above carefully.
How much is the whole process? How do we find our way there in full details please. What documents in particular did you take there? And how long was the visa they gave you there?
8000 thousand rubles for medicals and 7000 thousand for fines. Read the information above carefully.
Thank you!
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DISCLAIMER: This is not official legal/migration advice. Please see a lawyer if you are in doubt about any of these processes. The views of the contributor also do not necessarily reflect the brand’s take on any of these issues. This is simply a way to encourage and support our community to get legalised stay in the Russian Federation.
We are very grateful to this individual for participating in the interview and sharing their amnesty experience with the African community. Please if you have any more questions about the procedure, send us a message on WhatsApp and we will forward your requests.
Also, keep up with latest news and updates for Africans in Russia on our Telegram community and the information channel.
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