Temporary Residence Permit (TRP): Obtaining With and Without a Quota
Briefly About TRP
A Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is a document that allows foreign citizens to legally live and work in Russia for a certain period. Most often, a TRP is issued for three years, though in some cases the duration may be shorter. A TRP provides the opportunity to apply for a residence permit, which is necessary for obtaining Russian citizenship.
With a TRP, you can:
- be officially employed without additional permits;
- receive medical care under the compulsory health insurance (OMS);
- register at a place of residence.
However, it’s important to note that a TRP does not grant the right to live permanently in Russia — after three years, you must either extend your status or apply for a residence permit.
Getting a TRP With a Quota
Most foreigners can obtain a TRP only within a special quota. A quota is a limited number of permits issued annually by the government for each region of Russia.
To apply for the quota, you need to submit the following documents in advance to a migration center or the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD):
- a quota application form in two copies (the form can be downloaded from the MVD website or obtained at their office);
- an identity document;
- documents confirming the legal stay in Russia (e.g., a migration card);
- black-and-white or color photos sized 3.5×4.5 cm.
The quota is allocated by a decision of the MVD commission: the application is reviewed within 30 working days. Lists of people who received a quota can be checked at the same MVD office where you submitted your application. If the queue is long or quotas are used up, you will have to wait until the next year.
After receiving a positive decision on the quota, it’s important to submit an application and documents to the MVD, pass a medical examination, pay the state fee, and confirm your knowledge of the Russian language, history, and legislation. The processing and issuance of the TRP follow standard procedures, including a background check by government authorities.
Keep in mind that the quota decision usually remains valid until the end of the calendar year in which it was made.
Documents required for a TRP with a quota:
- application in two copies;
- identity document;
- documents confirming the right to stay in Russia;
- certificate of criminal record status (for those who entered Russia with a visa);
- certificate proving knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, and the fundamentals of Russian legislation (not required for men aged 65+, women aged 60+, participants of the State Resettlement Program and their family members, foreign citizens enlisted in the Russian military, Ukrainian citizens, and individuals who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values);
- certificate of absence of drug addiction and infectious diseases;
- black-and-white or color photos sized 3.5×4.5 cm.
You must also pay a state fee for the TRP.
The document is issued within 4 months. If entry into Russia was visa-free — within 60 calendar days.
To check if your TRP is ready, you can use the service on the MVD of Russia’s website — you will need to enter the region where you submitted your documents, your date of birth, and the document number you used.
Getting a TRP Without a Quota
There are categories of individuals who can obtain a TRP without a quota. These include:
- individuals born in the RSFSR who held USSR citizenship;
- minors, if one of the parents has a TRP or Russian citizenship;
- spouses of Russian citizens residing in Russia;
- participants of the State Program for the Voluntary Resettlement of Compatriots living abroad;
- certain categories of highly qualified specialists;
- citizens of Kazakhstan, Moldova, or Ukraine.
In these cases, a TRP can be issued immediately after entering Russia or collecting the required documents. All other procedures remain the same: document preparation, scheduling and submitting to the MVD, and undergoing a medical examination. If the application is incorrectly filled out or important information is missing, the request may be denied. You can only reapply after one year.
To apply for a TRP without a quota, prepare:
- application in two copies;
- identity document;
- documents confirming the right to stay in Russia;
- certificate of criminal record status (for those who entered Russia with a visa);
- certificate proving knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, and fundamentals of Russian legislation (not required for men aged 65+, women aged 60+, participants of the State Resettlement Program and their family members, foreign citizens enlisted in the Russian military, Ukrainian citizens, and individuals who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values);
- certificate of absence of drug addiction and infectious diseases;
- black-and-white or color photos sized 3.5×4.5 cm;
- documents confirming the grounds for receiving a TRP without a quota (e.g., for spouses of Russian citizens residing in Russia, a marriage certificate issued by a competent foreign authority (if the marriage was registered abroad), and the Russian spouse’s passport).
The processing time for a TRP application is up to four months from the date of submission. In some cases, this period may be extended.
The TRP is issued only in the region where the application was submitted. You can only work in that region.
What Happens Next?
After obtaining a TRP, within 7 working days, you must submit a registration application to the MVD of Russia at the address of the residential property indicated when applying for the permit. If you’re unable to register at your place of residence, you must register under migration control.
You must submit an annual notification confirming your residence in Russia. Along with the notification, you must provide proof of income, a copy of your tax declaration, or other documents confirming the amount and source of your income for the year following the receipt of your TRP. Failure to do so may result in a fine or deportation from Russia.
If you violate residency rules, your TRP may be revoked.
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