Russian citizenship

• Proficiency in Russian language;
• Permanent and legal source of income in the Russian Federation;
• Renounce of homeland citizenship.

• Application (2 copies);
• Photograph 3×4 cm (4 copies);
• Notarized copy of valid residence permit;
• Notarized copy of birth certificate;
• Notarized copy of marriage certificate (if any);
• Diploma, school certificate (notarized translation in Russian);
• Declaration of renouncing the homeland citizenship;
• Declaration of renouncing the homeland citizenship from children; In case a child is over 14 years of age, his own consent is required. In case a child is under the age of 14, the second parent’s consent is required.
• Medical report on the absence of infectious diseases and diseases dangerous to others;
• Receipts on fees and state fees payment;
• If there was a change of surname, foreigner is obliged to provide notarized copies of certificates from the registry office;
• Russian language proficiency certificate.

In case a foreigner was a student of school or higher educational institution, where he studied the Russian language, he will be exempt from passing the language test.

A spouse of Russian national has the right for Russian citizenship after 3 years of cohabitation inside the country. Marriages contracted outside the Russian Federation, as well as civil marriages, are not the grounds for Russian citizenship.

At the first stage an alien must obtain residence permit outside the quotas. After that he is entitled to apply for citizenship under conditions the marriage was not dissolved or fictitious.

A child obtains Russian citizenship automatically regardless of place of birth, in case his parents are Russian nationals.

If only one of the parents is a citizen of the Russian Federation and the birth has occurred outside the state, the child does not automatically acquire citizenship and it should be formalized. 

A child born inside Russia without the identification of parents can obtain the citizenship automatically.

A person who for one reason or another has lost the citizenship of the Russian Federation has the right to restore it under a simplified procedure. Russia is quite a liberal country in this regard.

For citizenship restoration it is required:

• Application (2 copies);
• Valid residence permit;
• Certificate confirming the renunciation of Russian citizenship;
• Documents confirming permanent and legal source of income;
• Renunciation of the citizenship of another country;
• Evidences of Russian language proficiency.

Foreign national whose life or health is threatened in homeland or who is targeted by political, religious or other reasons, can seek asylum in the Russian Federation. For this an alien must submit an application to the relevant authorities within a maximum period of 3 days. Under Russian law, refugees are entitled to a lump-sum payment, temporary housing, food and medical care, and the right to be employed. All this is provided by the state. Refugee’s children are eligible to visit kindergarten and educational institutions. Subsequently, refugees have the right to apply for Russian citizenship. The right to apply for citizenship is granted after 1 year of legal residence in the territory of the Russian Federation.

• An alien was born in the territory of Russian Federation and was a holder of USSR passport;
• Disabled alien, in case his adult children obtain the Russian citizenship;
• A foreign national has outstanding achievements in science, culture, sports, etc. or has professional skills that are of interest to the Russian Federation.

Despite the difficult international situation, the citizens of Ukraine have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure. This also applies to refugees from the Donbass and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (according to international laws it is considered “temporarily occupied territory”). Initially it is required to apply for residence permit (under a simplified procedure). After that, the application for citizenship obtaining can be made. Period for consideration is 3 months.