Procedure for Migration Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation

General Provisions on Migration Registration

Migration registration is a system for recording information about the place of stay of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the territory of the Russian Federation. This procedure is mandatory for all listed categories and is regulated by federal legislation.

The main goals of migration registration include:

Ensuring constitutional rights of foreign citizens
Enabling state control over migration processes
Safeguarding national security and public order

Persons Subject to Migration Registration

All foreign citizens and stateless persons who have arrived in the Russian Federation must be registered, regardless of:

Whether or not they have a visa
The purpose and duration of stay
Their legal status in Russia

This includes those with:

Temporary stay in the Russian Federation
Temporary residence permits
Permanent residence permits (residency)

Receiving Party

Migration registration is carried out exclusively by the receiving party, meaning the person providing the foreign citizen with accommodation.

Who Can Act as Receiving Party:

Russian citizens owning or having the right to use a residence
Legal entities offering accommodation (hotels, resorts, hostels)
Employers providing official housing
Foreign citizens with a Russian permanent residence permit
Highly qualified specialists for their family members

Registration Deadlines

Registration deadlines depend on the foreign citizen’s country of origin:

Citizenship	Notification Deadline
Republic of Tajikistan	15 calendar days
Republic of Uzbekistan	15 calendar days
Republic of Kazakhstan	30 calendar days
Republic of Armenia	30 calendar days
Kyrgyz Republic	30 calendar days
Republic of Belarus	90 calendar days
Other countries	7 working days

Special Categories:

Highly qualified specialists and their families: 90 calendar days, then 7 working days
Participants of the State Resettlement Program: 30 calendar days, then 7 working days
Healthcare and accommodation organizations: 1 working day

Procedure for Migration Registration

Step 1: Preparing the Documents

The receiving party must gather all necessary documents to complete the registration procedure.

Documents of the Foreign Citizen

Identity Document — recognized by Russia as proof of identity
Migration Card — filled out upon entry, recording travel information
Visa — if required by entry rules
Status-Confirming Documents — work permits, patents, residence permits, etc.

Documents of the Receiving Party

Identity Document — Russian passport or equivalent
Proof of Accommodation — property ownership or rental documents
Power of Attorney — if representing another individual or entity

Step 2: Filling Out the Notification Form

The receiving party completes the arrival notification form in accordance with the law.

Notification Requirements

Use of Russian Language Only
No Corrections or Erasures Allowed
Full Names Without Abbreviations
All Required Fields Must Be Filled In
Separate Form for Each Foreigner

Step 3: Submitting the Notification

Submission can be done in the following ways:

Submission Methods

In-person at a local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
At a Multifunctional Public Services Center (MFC)
Via Registered Mail
Online via the Government Services Portal

Step 4: Receiving Confirmation

Once the form is processed, the following occurs:

Confirmation Procedure

Stamping — authorities mark the tear-off section of the notification form
Return — this marked section is returned to the receiving party
Handover — it is then given to the foreign citizen as proof of registration

Legal Importance

The stamped section serves as:

Proof of legal stay in Russia
Evidence of proper migration registration
Documentation to present to inspecting authorities

Regional Authorities Accepting Notifications

Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)

Local offices handle registration based on the receiving party’s location.

Multifunctional Centers (MFC)

These centers accept documents under agreements with the MVD.

Postal Services

Notifications can be sent via certified mail following regulations.

Online Services

Submissions via the State Services Portal require a verified user account.

Document Requirements

For Foreign Citizens:

Identity document recognized in Russia
Migration card
Visa (if applicable)
Legal status documents (if available)

For Receiving Party:

Identity document of Russian citizen
Accommodation proof
Power of attorney (if needed)

Legal Consequences of Registration

Rights of Foreign Citizens

Once registered, foreign citizens receive:

Proof of lawful presence in Russia
Access to rights under Russian law
Protection from unlawful actions by authorities

Changing Place of Stay

In case of moving:

Deregister from the old address
Register at the new one within deadlines

Administrative Responsibility

For the Receiving Party

Failure to follow procedures may result in fines:

Individuals: ₽2,000–₽5,000
Officials: ₽35,000–₽50,000
Legal Entities: ₽400,000–₽800,000

For Foreign Citizens

Violation leads to:

Fines of ₽2,000–₽5,000
Possible deportation
Entry bans

Criminal Liability

Criminal charges apply in cases of:

Fictitious registration
Submission of false information

Regulatory Changes in 2025

Controlled Persons Register

A new system checks foreign citizens via specialized digital platforms.

Biometric Identification

Expanded biometric data collection for specific services.

Digital Procedures

Pilot regions now test full digital compliance tracking.

Registration Time Limits

Stricter deadlines introduced for short-term visitors.

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