Citizenship of the Russian Federation

Obtaining citizenship in the general manner: first you need to obtain a TRP, then a residence permit. And only after 5 years of living in the Russian Federation with a residence permit, is someone allowed to apply for Russian citizenship. If you violate this sequence, your application for citizenship will be refused.

Documents for Russian citizenship are generally accepted and reviewed by the President of Russia.

Applicants will be denied in citizenship if they:

1. 01

   Advocate for changing the Constitution of the Russian Federation or create a threat to the security of the Russian Federation, for example, they encroach on the life of a politician, forcibly seize power, or call for something along those lines.

2. 02

   Participate or have participated in armed conflicts with Russian peacekeepers or the army, resisted the Russian military, or participated in a terrorist attack or its preparation against Russians and missions of the Russian Federation.

3. 03

   Participate or have participated in extremist activities, espionage, armed rebellion or disclosure of state secrets.

4. 04

   Restricted from entering the Russian Federation due to the fact that they were subjected to expulsion or deportation from the country.

5. 05

   Submitted false documents or provided false information about themselves.

6. 06

   Serve in the army, law enforcement or security agencies of a foreign country.

7. 07

   Have an unexpunged or outstanding conviction for an intentional crime.

8. 08

   Currently being prosecuted for crimes.

9. 09

   Convicted and are in prison.

10. 10

    They refuse to take the oath of citizenship of the Russian Federation.

List of documents for applying for Russian citizenship:

1. 01

   Application for Russian citizenship in two copies.

2. 02

   Residence permit.

3. 03

   Documents confirming income for the year preceding the year of application. For example, a certificate of income, previous 2-NDFL, a certificate of employment, an employment contract.

4. 04

   Document confirming knowledge of the Russian language.

5. 05

   Other documents confirming the legal grounds and compliance with the conditions for acquiring Russian citizenship. For example, a notification of special merits to the fatherland.

6. 06

   Three photographs 30 × 40 mm.

7. 07

   Receipt for payment of state duty in the amount of 3,500 rubles.

8. 08

   Identity document, for example a passport of a foreign country. A notarized translation is also required if the information in the document is not duplicated in Russian.

9. 09

   Document confirming a change of last name, if changed. For example, a marriage certificate.

In Russia, citizenship issues are dealt with by the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its territorial divisions. For those outside of Russia, diplomatic missions or consulates of the Russian Federation deal with these issues.

Citizenship obtaining time

It generally takes 7-9 years to obtain Russian citizenship

A foreigner arriving on the territory of the Russian Federation must first obtain a TRP. A year after receiving a TRP, subject to continuous residence in the Russian Federation one can apply for a residence permit. An application for citizenship can be proceeded after 5 years of continuous residence in Russia.