Russian Citizenship for Foreigners: Step-by-Step Guide

Russian citizenship grants a foreigner full rights: voting, free employment, social benefits, and a pension. For most migrants from CIS countries, this is the ultimate goal of the migration path: patent → RVP → residence permit → citizenship.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the procedure under Federal Law No. 138-FZ of April 28, 2023, “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation,” which replaced the previous law No. 62-FZ.

Two Paths to Citizenship

The law provides for two main options:

General Procedure for Obtaining Citizenship

Conditions

Under the general procedure, a foreigner can obtain citizenship if they:

• have resided in Russia with a residence permit continuously for 5 years (leaving the country for no more than 3 months per year);
• have a sufficient command of the Russian language for communication;
• comply with the Constitution and laws of the Russian Federation;
• have a legal source of income.

The period of continuous residence can be reduced to 1 year for individuals with special merits to Russia, as well as for refugees and those granted political asylum.

Documents for the General Procedure

• application in the prescribed form in two copies;
• residence permit;
• identity document (passport with a notarized translation);
• document confirming Russian language proficiency (TRKI certificate, diploma of education in Russia or the USSR, or a document of education from a state where Russian is the official language);
• income document (2-NDFL certificate, tax declaration, deposit statement);
• 3 photos 3×4 cm;
• receipt for payment of the state duty — 3,500 rubles.

Processing Time

The application is reviewed within 1 year. The decision is made by the President of the Russian Federation.

Simplified Procedure

Most citizens of CIS countries can obtain citizenship through a simplified procedure — faster and without the 5-year residence requirement.

Who is Eligible for Simplified Procedure

Without a residence permit and residence period:

• participants of the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots (only RVP and registration at the place of residence are required);
• veterans of the Great Patriotic War who had USSR citizenship.

With a residence permit, but without 5 years of residence:

• born in the RSFSR and had USSR citizenship;
• married to a Russian citizen for at least 3 years;
• have an adult child who is a Russian citizen;
• have a parent who is a Russian citizen residing in Russia;
• received education in Russia after July 1, 2002, and worked in Russia for at least 1 year;
• individual entrepreneurs with a turnover of 10 million rubles over 3 years;
• investors with a 10% stake in a Russian company with a capital of 100 million rubles;
• qualified specialists who have worked in Russia for at least 1 year in certain professions;
• recognized as Russian language speakers (NRYA).

Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine can apply for citizenship in a simplified manner with a residence permit without additional grounds.

Russian Language Speakers (NRYA)

A separate category is individuals recognized as Russian language speakers. To obtain NRYA status, you need to:

1. Submit an application to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
2. Pass an interview with a special commission that assesses fluency in the Russian language.
3. Confirm that you or your direct ancestors permanently resided in the territory of Russia, the RSFSR, or the Russian Empire.

NRYA status is granted indefinitely. After that, you can immediately apply for a residence permit and then for citizenship without waiting 5 years.

Citizenship Through Marriage

One of the most popular paths. Conditions:

• marriage registered with the registry office in Russia or recognized in Russia;
• at least 3 years have passed since the marriage registration;
• the spouse is a Russian citizen residing in Russia;
• the applicant has a residence permit.

If there are common children in the marriage, the 3-year period is not required, and you can apply immediately.

Citizenship Through the Resettlement Program

Participants of the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots obtain citizenship through the fastest procedure:

• no residence permit is required — only RVP is needed;
• no Russian language exam is required;
• no need to confirm income;
• processing time — up to 3 months.

Documents for the Simplified Procedure

• application in two copies;
• residence permit (or RVP for resettlement program participants);
• passport with a notarized translation;
• documents confirming the basis for the simplified procedure (marriage certificate, resettlement program participant certificate, commission decision on NRYA recognition, diploma, work record book, etc.);
• document on Russian language proficiency;
• 3 photos 3×4 cm;
• receipt for payment of the state duty — 3,500 rubles.

Processing Time

Under the simplified procedure, the application is reviewed within 3 months. The decision is made by the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Stages of Obtaining: From Arrival to Passport

1. Entry into Russia — migration card, migration registration .
2. Work Patent — if you need to work before obtaining RVP (for visa-free countries).
3. RVP — temporary residence permit (up to 3 years).
4. Residence Permit — permanent residence permit.
5. Citizenship — application submission and passport acquisition.

For resettlement program participants, the path is shorter: entry → RVP → citizenship (without a residence permit).

Where to Submit Documents

The citizenship application is submitted:

• in Russia — to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of residence (migration department). You can make an appointment through the State Services portal or in person at the department;
• outside Russia — to the diplomatic mission or consulate of the Russian Federation in the country of residence.

Documents are submitted only in person. Submission by proxy or by mail is not allowed. Upon submission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs employee checks the completeness of the documents and issues a receipt for the application with the date indicated.

In Moscow, submissions are made at the Multifunctional Migration Center (MMC) in Sakharovo. In other regions — at territorial migration departments under the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

State Duty

The state duty for admission to citizenship is 3,500 rubles. The receipt can be generated on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

Stateless persons residing in Russia are exempt from paying the duty.

Russian Language Exam

To obtain citizenship, you must confirm your proficiency in the Russian language in one of the following ways:

• certificate of passing testing (level not lower than basic);
• diploma of education obtained in Russia or the USSR;
• document of education from a state where Russian is the official language (Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, etc.).

Exempt from the exam are:

• men over 65 and women over 60;
• persons with group I disabilities;
• participants of the resettlement program;
• recognized Russian language speakers.

Reasons for Refusal

Citizenship may be denied if the applicant:

• submitted forged documents or false information;
• poses a threat to Russia’s security;
• participated in armed conflicts against Russian armed forces;
• has an unexpunged or outstanding conviction for an intentional crime;
• is wanted or prosecuted criminally;
• is included in the register of controlled persons .

In case of refusal, a repeat application can be submitted after 1 year.

What to Do After Obtaining Citizenship

After a positive decision, you must:

1. Take the Oath of a Russian Citizen. Without the oath, the decision on admission to citizenship is considered invalid. The oath is taken in a solemn ceremony at the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
2. Obtain an internal Russian passport. The application is submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 10 working days after taking the oath. The passport is issued within 10 working days.
3. Obtain a SNILS. If you do not yet have an insurance number, contact the branch of the Social Fund of Russia or MFC.
4. Update data in banks, with the employer, and in the tax office. The employer must be provided with a copy of the new passport to update personnel documents. It is also recommended to notify the bank where accounts are opened.
5. Register for military service. Men aged 18 to 30 are required to register for military service at the military registration and enlistment office at their place of residence within two weeks after obtaining a passport.

Features for Citizens of CIS Countries

For citizens of the most frequent countries of origin of migrants to Russia, there are important nuances:

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan — citizens of these countries enter Russia without a visa. The standard path: work patent → RVP → residence permit → citizenship. Or through the resettlement program (if eligible) — then RVP → citizenship directly.

Kazakhstan — citizens of Kazakhstan can apply for citizenship in a simplified manner immediately after obtaining a residence permit, without additional grounds. There is also a four-party agreement between Russia and Kazakhstan on the simplified procedure for acquiring citizenship.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia — for citizens of these countries, the general procedure applies if there are no grounds for the simplified one (marriage, NRYA, education in Russia, resettlement program). Citizens of Armenia enter without a visa, citizens of Georgia — with a visa.

Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus — citizens of these countries can apply for citizenship in a simplified manner with a residence permit without additional grounds (Article 16 of Law No. 138-FZ).

Dual Citizenship

Russia recognizes dual citizenship only with Tajikistan (by international treaty). With other countries, dual citizenship is not recognized, but having another citizenship is not an obstacle to obtaining Russian citizenship — renunciation of previous citizenship is no longer required since 2023 (Law No. 138-FZ).

However, after obtaining Russian citizenship, a person is obliged to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the presence of another citizenship or residence permit in another state within 60 days. Failure to notify is subject to criminal liability (Article 330.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for citizenship while abroad? Yes, through the consulate or embassy of the Russian Federation in the country of residence. However, most simplified grounds require residence in Russia with a residence permit.

How long does the entire path from entry to passport take? Under the general procedure — from 7 to 9 years (1 year RVP + 5 years residence permit + 1 year review). Under the simplified procedure — from 1 to 3 years depending on the grounds. Through the resettlement program — from 6 months.

Do I need to renounce my previous citizenship? No. Since October 2023 (enactment of Law No. 138-FZ), renunciation of other citizenship is not required.

Can citizenship be revoked after obtaining? Yes, but only in exceptional cases: if citizenship was obtained based on forged documents, or if the person committed terrorist or extremist crimes.

Sources

1. Federal Law of April 28, 2023, No. 138-FZ “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”
2. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of November 22, 2023, No. 889 “Issues of Citizenship of the Russian Federation”
3. Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia — Admission to Citizenship of the Russian Federation