What is a residence permit
A residence permit is a document issued to foreigners or stateless persons by the migration authorities of the Russian Federation and giving the right to permanent residence in the country. In general cases, it is issued to foreigners as an attachment to their national passport.
In some cases, for example, for stateless persons, a residence permit is also an identification document. The form, procedure for its execution and issuance, as well as other aspects are stipulated by separate government regulations.
The residence permit must contain:
- personal data of its owner (full name, date and place of birth, gender, citizenship);
- number and date of the decision on residence permit;
- validity period of the document;
- name of the authority that issued the permanent residence permit.
If a document is issued after 2013, it also contains an electronic storage medium containing not only the above personal data, but also biometric information, including a photo of the face of the document owner, as well as the results of a fingerprint examination.
Having a residence permit cannot be equated with citizenship - the right to permanent residence must be extended.
When can I get it?
Application processing time:
- Native Russian speakers who arrived under the family restoration program will be issued a document within 60 days;
- Professional specialists with a high level of qualifications who arrived at the invitation of a direct employer wait 90 days;
- Citizens of Belarus without a temporary residence permit are issued a residence permit within 90 days;
- For political refugees, the waiting period has been reduced to 15 days;
- In other cases, you need to wait up to six months.
Legislation
The basis of the legislative framework regulating the procedure and conditions for the stay of foreign citizens on Russian territory is Federal Law No. 115 of July 25, 2002 “On the legal status of foreigners in the Russian Federation.” In particular, Art. 8 of this law determines the procedure, grounds, conditions and other features of obtaining the right to permanent residence, confirmed by a residence permit.
The specific procedure, methods and timing of document execution, as well as other features of the procedure are specified in the Administrative Regulations approved by Order No. 215 of the Federal Migration Service dated April 22, 2013. It also approved the basic forms and samples of documents.
In addition to them, it is necessary to note the Federal Law of May 31, 2002 No. 62 “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation,” which, in particular, defines some privileges for foreigners who have a residence permit and are in a marital relationship with a Russian citizen when applying for Russian citizenship.
Approximate list of documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit
- statement;
- two photos 35x45 mm;
- passport;
- certificate of no criminal record;
- medical certificates;
- Marriage certificate;
- a document confirming knowledge of the Russian language, history and fundamentals of legislation;
- passport of the spouse – citizen of the Russian Federation;
- receipt of payment of the duty.
Only 8 months after receiving a temporary residence permit you can apply for a residence permit. In this case, the package of documents also includes an application, passport, temporary residence permit, photographs, receipts, and a medical certificate. In addition, you are required to confirm the legality of your income, and in some cases additional documents may be required.
Officials will consider an application for a residence permit in Russia by marriage for foreigners within 4 months, after which they will send an official notification.
Entering into a fictitious marriage for the sake of living in the country is useless, since legal proceedings may be initiated against you. The Migration Service and law enforcement agencies monitor such cases, and if the fictitiousness of the marriage is revealed, it will be declared invalid and the residence permit will be revoked.
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit
According to Part 2 of Art. 8 Federal Law No. 115 of July 25, 2002, the general procedure for obtaining a residence permit requires the candidate to live continuously in Russia for at least a year, while having a temporary residence permit (TRP). It, according to Art. 6 of the said law, is issued to foreigners and stateless persons, subject to a quota established by the government, for a period of three years.
However, these general requirements do not apply to everyone; a simplified procedure is provided for individual entities. In particular, the legislator allows foreigners to apply for a residence permit without temporary residence:
- highly qualified specialists who are invited to work in Russia in the manner prescribed by Art. 13.2 of the said law;
- recognized by a special commission in accordance with the Federal Law of May 31, 2002 No. 62 as native speakers of the Russian language (meaning persons who speak Russian at the everyday and family level if they or their relatives live in the territory of the former Russian Empire and the USSR or the current Russian Federation) ;
- recognized as refugees;
- those who have received temporary asylum and are participating in the state program for the resettlement of compatriots;
- in case they themselves, their relatives on the ascending and/or descending lines, spouses or adoptive parents were illegally deported from Crimea during the USSR.
Thus, marriage relations with a citizen of the Russian Federation do not provide any privileges or rights to a simplified receipt of a residence permit. However, such a marriage union provides some privileges when registering a temporary residence permit.
Let us remind you that the right to temporary residence, according to Art. 6 Federal Law No. 215 dated July 25, 2002, is issued taking into account quotas formed in advance by the executive branch. So, according to paragraphs. 4 p. 3 art. 6 of this law, marriage with a Russian permanently residing in the Russian Federation gives the right to apply for a temporary residence permit without taking into account the specified quotas.
Now let us consider in general terms the procedure for concluding such a marriage.
Who can bypass the RVP stage?
There are several categories of migrants for which the law makes an exception. They have the right not to apply for a temporary residence permit, but to immediately begin obtaining a residence permit, regardless of their marital status. These include:
- Native speakers of Russian. The status is assigned to people with Russian roots. To become a carrier, you need to meet a number of requirements. The main condition is to prove that the migrant or his relatives in a direct ascending line lived in the territory now occupied by the Russian Federation. Having the status of a native Russian speaker is one of the fastest routes to a residence permit and citizenship. In this case, the consideration of an application for a residence permit is reduced to two months.
- Immigrants from the Republic of Belarus. Belarusians also do not have to experience all the difficulties of obtaining a temporary residence permit. They immediately proceed to apply for a residence permit. After submitting your application, you won’t have to wait long for a response. The period for reviewing documents on this basis is 3 months. Again, the presence of marriage does not play a role in this case.
In 2021, the list of grounds allowing you to obtain a residence permit without first making a temporary residence permit has expanded . In particular, foreign citizens who have parents or children with Russian citizenship . Another article on our website lists all the reasons for a simplified application for a residence permit.
Procedure for obtaining a residence permit
Taking into account all of the above, in order to obtain a residence permit through marriage to a citizen of the Russian Federation, foreigners and stateless persons must adhere to a clear algorithm. The procedure for candidates involves going through a number of stages, which include:
- Legal crossing of the state border of the Russian Federation. In this case, you will need to apply for a visa or obtain a migration card in case of visa-free entry. In the future, the candidate will need to register for migration within a week with the territorial divisions of the migration authorities at the place of residence.
- Marriage with a Russian citizen. Marriage registration is carried out after a month from the date of filing a joint application with the registry office.
- Obtaining a temporary residence permit. Issued in the manner prescribed by the Administrative Regulations, approved by Order of the Federal Migration Service dated April 22, 2013 No. 215, for a period of three years. Thanks to marriage to a Russian, it is issued without taking into account quotas. After continuous residence in the Russian Federation for one year, the temporary residence permit gives the right to apply for a residence permit.
- Obtaining a residence permit. After one year has passed after receiving a temporary residence permit, a foreigner can apply for a residence permit. According to Art. 8 Federal Law No. 115 dated July 25, 2002, this must be done six months before the expiration of the right to temporary residence.
It is advisable to dwell on some features of this procedure in more detail.
Procedure for contacting migration authorities
At the moment, the functions of migration authorities are performed by the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (GUVM) and its local territorial divisions. Thus, both to register at the place of residence and to obtain a temporary residence permit and residence permit, a foreign citizen must contact the territorial unit of the Main Directorate for Migration and Migration at the place of actual residence in the territory of the Russian Federation. The specific address of divisions in the regions, as well as the territorial offices of these divisions, can be found at.
The application is formalized in the form of an application for a residence permit, submitted in the form approved by Appendix No. 3 to the Administrative Regulations, approved by Order of the Federal Migration Service of April 22, 2013 No. 215. The application must be submitted in two copies in person to the territorial authority: according to, registration Residence permit through the State Services portal has been suspended for technical reasons.
Required documents
To find out what documents are needed to obtain a residence permit, you must refer to clause 21 of the above Administrative Regulations. According to it, in addition to the application, the candidate will need:
- four photos in 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm format, two of which are placed on the application;
- identification document of a foreigner;
- documentary evidence of sources of income (at least the monthly subsistence minimum) or disability;
- documentary evidence of the availability of residential premises (provided by those who have lived three years or more in the Russian Federation);
- medical certificate and certificate of absence of dangerous infectious diseases and HIV;
- document on proficiency in the Russian language, knowledge of history and the fundamentals of legislation of the Russian Federation.
The list of documents for a residence permit for marriage in 2021 is submitted along with the application no later than six months before the expiration of the temporary residence permit. Lack of necessary documents is grounds for refusal to issue a residence permit.
Registration period
According to clause 18 of the above Administrative Regulations, the total period for consideration of the application and registration of a residence permit is six months from the moment the migration authorities receive the application. However, in some cases, the legislator provides for a reduction in these periods. Thus, shortened deadlines are provided for:
- participants of the state program for the resettlement of compatriots and native speakers of the Russian language - a residence permit is issued within 2 months;
- highly qualified specialists invited to work in Russia - within 3 months;
- citizens of Belarus receiving a residence permit without obtaining a temporary residence permit – within 3 months;
- citizens recognized as political refugees, as well as foreigners whose Russian citizenship was terminated - within 15 days.
How does one obtain a residence permit by marriage in Russia?
Foreigners submit a set of papers to the migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of their registration . For 2020, only in-person applications are available. Documents are not accepted through the MFC. And sending a request through the State Services portal, although provided, is not currently functioning .
Procedure:
- First you need to make an appointment with an inspector. As a rule, you cannot choose the date yourself.
- On the appointed date, come to the OVM with a complete package of documents, a completed and printed application.
- The employee who accepted the papers is obliged to issue the applicant a certificate indicating the date of receipt of the application and signature.
- Consideration of documents according to the rules should last no longer than four months . The experience of migrants shows that deadlines are often delayed.
- The decision to issue a residence permit or refusal is sent by mail. Many foreigners do not wait for the letter, but find out about the readiness of their status on their own .
- Registration at the place of residence completes the stage of obtaining a residence permit . The procedure is mandatory and must be completed within seven working days. It should be calculated from the date of issue of the residence permit. Since permanently residing citizens have the right to move and work anywhere in the country, registration can also be done in any city or other locality in which the foreigner decides to settle. If you cannot register at your place of residence, you can register with the migration authorities.
Rights of persons who have received a residence permit
A citizen who has legally obtained a residence permit first of all acquires the right to permanently reside in the territory of the Russian Federation on almost the same conditions as the Russians themselves.
A person who has received a residence permit has the right to freely leave Russia and return back without obtaining any additional permission.
In connection with the right to permanent residence, a foreigner may apply for a number of other rights, in particular, the right to:
- freedom of movement and residence;
- permanent employment on the same conditions as Russians, that is, without obtaining a permit;
- pension provision upon reaching retirement age;
- election to local government bodies in the cases established by clause 10 of Art. 4 Federal Law of June 12, 2002 No. 67;
- obtaining citizenship in a simplified manner - if there is a marriage with a Russian citizen that lasts at least three years;
- other rights provided for by Russian legislation.
What documents are needed
Before applying for a residence permit in Russia under a simplified procedure, a citizen of another state must:
- Complete the legal entry procedure by filling out a migrant card/visa;
- Get married;
- Apply for a temporary residence permit regardless of the state quota;
- Spend 12 months in the country without leaving the country.
Sample migration card
List of documents required to obtain a residence permit by marriage in 2021:
- Completed application - 2 copies.
- A receipt confirming payment of the duty, which today is 3,500 rubles. You can pay this amount online on the State Services portal or at any banking institution. Details will be provided to the state. department of internal affairs at the place of temporary registration;
- A passport, to which must be attached a translation certified by a Russian notary, and in some cases - a certificate from the consulate of his country about the correctness of the translation;
- 4 photos in black and white or in color (for stateless persons – 2) size 3.5 × 4.5 and 2 photographs for each child indicated in the application. If a person is forced for medical reasons to wear glasses all the time, he must remove them. The lenses of the glasses must be transparent. The photo must be without retouching, the paper must be matte for ease of stamping;
- Documents confirming receipt of legal income on the territory of the Russian Federation, the level of solvency of the applicant: certificate 2-NDFL, 3-NDFL, issued by the company’s accountant. The profit amount must be at least the subsistence level for 30 calendar days. No proof of dependency is required; disabled citizens receive an appropriate certificate;
- An employment contract and a notarized copy of the work book with the employment history indicated in it.
- If a foreigner owns real estate, it is necessary to provide documents for ownership (for those who have lived 3 or more years in the Russian Federation). The main thing is to have registration in your own, rented housing or with the consent of relatives;
- Medical certificate confirming the absence of potentially dangerous infections, AIDS, and drug addiction. The certificate has a limited validity period of 3 months. Attached to the main package of documents immediately upon submission;
- A certificate confirming successful completion of testing in the Russian language, history and law, or a certificate of completion of studies in Russian universities (or the USSR) or recognition of a person as a native speaker of the Russian language;
- Certificate of marriage with a citizen of the Russian Federation. You can receive it after 30 calendar days after submitting an application from both spouses to the registry office;
- Passport of the spouse – a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Photocopies certified by a Russian notary must be attached to each document. Translation of identity documents must be carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation. The right to permanent residence must be renewed; the document is not equivalent to citizenship.
Duration of residence permit
In general cases, according to paragraph 3 of Art. 8 Federal Law No. 115 dated July 25, 2002, residence permits are issued to foreigners for a period of 5 years. However, the law also provides for some features of the validity period of a residence permit depending on the basis on which it was issued, namely:
- Russian speakers receive a residence permit for 3 years;
- participants in the state resettlement program receive the right to permanent residence for the duration of the program;
- specialists invited to work in Russia receive a residence permit valid for the entire term of their employment contract, and in case of its termination - within 30 days from that moment.
In general cases, at the request of a foreign citizen, the validity of a residence permit can be extended by five years. To do this, a corresponding application is submitted no later than 2 months before the expiration of the specified period. The number of such extensions is not limited by law.
Application forms and samples
Application for a residence permit (1648 Downloads) Application for a residence permit for a child (483 Downloads) Appendix No. 1 to the application for a residence permit (Information about changes in personal data) (369 Downloads) Appendix No. 2 to the application for a residence permit (Information about close relatives of the applicant ) (629 Downloads) Appendix No. 3 to the application for a residence permit (Information on employment) (330 Downloads) Application for the issuance of a duplicate residence permit (84 Downloads) Application for replacement of a residence permit (1152 Downloads) Application for correction of typos and (or) errors ( 95 Downloads) Application for refusal to receive the state service of residence permit (68 Downloads) Sample application for issuing a residence permit (5586 Downloads) Sample application for issuing a residence permit for a child (186 Downloads) Sample application No. 1 to the application for issuing a residence permit (464 Downloads) Sample application No. 2 to the application for a residence permit (696 Downloads) Sample application No. 3 to the application for a residence permit (268 Downloads) Sample application for the issuance of a duplicate residence permit (84 Downloads) Sample application for the correction of typos and (or) errors (One Download) Sample application for refusal to receive the state service of residence permit (One Download) Form of annual notification for residence permit (1576 Downloads) Sample of annual notification for residence permit (1209 Downloads) Standard test for residence permit (1323 Downloads) Sample of standard test on the history of Russia (1630 Downloads) Sample of standard test for basics of Russian legislation (1337 Downloads)
Fictitious marriage and responsibility for it
Considering that being married to a Russian citizen gives foreigners the right to obtain temporary residence rights independent of quotas, as well as a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship if they have the right to permanent residence, such a marriage is often concluded for fictitious purposes, that is, solely to obtain legal status.
According to Art. 27 of the RF IC, such a marriage should be considered void, that is, initially invalid, not giving rise to any legal consequences. Thus, if this fact is discovered, the previously obtained right to temporary or permanent residence, as well as formalized citizenship, must be revoked.
No other liability, including criminal or administrative punishment, is provided. In 2015, the legislative assembly of the Kaluga region already initiated consideration in parliament of a bill introducing criminal penalties for foreigners for entering into a fictitious marriage in order to obtain citizenship, but it was rejected by the State Duma.
The article “Fictitious Marriage” will help you learn more about marriages concluded without the purpose of creating a family.
What does marriage with a Russian citizen give to a foreigner?
- GCitizenship
Russian citizenship by marriage
- Elena Voropaeva
- 06.08.2020
Marriage, indeed, simplifies the process of legalization in the Russian Federation. A union with a Russian man or woman allows you to get a temporary residence permit without a quota. Thanks to marriage, citizenship can also be obtained in a shorter time.
But with regard to obtaining a residence permit, it is worth understanding that the laws of Russia do not provide for such a basis as applying for a residence permit by marriage. A family foreigner first makes a temporary residence permit, and then, based on the temporary residence permit, applies for a residence permit.
It doesn’t matter how many years you have lived with your significant other, or whether you have children, registration of permanent resident status will be available only after you receive a temporary residence permit.
The story of a foreign woman about registering a marriage in the Russian Federation with a Russian citizen.
Sample application for a residence permit
The fundamental document when applying to a government agency to obtain a residence permit is an application.
It is this appeal that contains the foreigner’s expression of will that he wants to obtain permission to live and work in Russia. Read also: Do I need a visa to Israel?
The application is drawn up in writing and has a strict form regulated in the regulatory act. In practice, this document is most often called a questionnaire, since it really looks like a questionnaire in which you need to enter the correct answers about yourself and your lifestyle.
The application must reflect the following information:
- Information about the department of the government agency to which the documents are submitted;
- Information about the applicant, about the main document used for identification;
- Information about relatives and minor children (if any);
- Spouse information;
- The application must include a request for a residence permit;
- The final part of the document is the date of its preparation and the signature of the applicant.
Divorce after obtaining a residence permit
Divorce after a migrant has received a residence permit cannot become a reason for canceling the document.
Important! If the marriage was declared fictitious on the basis of a court decision that was not appealed and entered into legal force, the foreign citizen loses a residence permit, and with it the opportunity to work and live in the territory of the Russian Federation.
Consequently, revealing the fact that the marriage was concluded fictitiously is the only situation in which a residence permit is canceled upon termination of the relationship between a foreigner and a Russian. In all other cases, after receiving a divorce certificate, the migrant can continue to live his normal life and even apply for citizenship.
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Registration process
Obtaining a residence permit on the basis of marriage is carried out in several stages, which are controlled by the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and its regional offices.
The first step is the need to obtain a temporary residence permit. For ordinary citizens, the period is 90 days, since a certain quota applies, especially in both capitals of Russia. If the temporary residence permit is issued due to marriage, then quite legally a foreigner can bypass all quotas.
After receiving a temporary residence permit, the migrant must live on Russian soil for at least six months and then can submit an application for a residence permit. If a resident of another state has a marriage certificate confirming his legal relationship with a Russian woman (Russian man) for 3 years, he is provided with a grace period for submitting documentation and considering the application. It is six months, then ordinary citizens need to live for 12 months. At the third stage, the official registration of a residence permit takes place.
Required documents
Obtaining a residence permit in Russia begins with submitting an application. You can download its form, and also see how to fill it out correctly on the official website of the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Two copies must be submitted at once.
This is what a sample application looks like.
The following list of documents for a residence permit by marriage includes:
- original passport and scanned copies of all its pages;
- photo format 35x45 mm;
- certificate (original + copy) of medical examination;
- RVP;
- marriage certificate and its scanned copy;
- a certificate confirming passing an exam in the history of the Russian Federation and the Russian language for men under 65 and women under 60;
- a scanned copy of the passport of the spouse who is a Russian citizen;
- employment history;
- pension certificate (if available);
- document confirming the level of education received;
- a certificate of sufficient financial resources available to the applicant;
- receipt of payment of 3,500 rubles in favor of the state treasury (state duty).
Note! All documentation not in Russian must be translated and notarized.
A little more about the documents
Until 2015, a foreign resident did not need to know the Russian language, the history of Russia, or confirm this to obtain a residence permit. But now, in order to become a Russian, you need to confirm your ability to speak fluently the language of the chosen state and show knowledge of the basics of its history. And even after registering a marriage, this point of legislation cannot be circumvented. An exam for a residence permit is a mandatory step to obtain the latter.
It is mandatory for a foreign citizen applying for a residence permit and further Russian citizenship to submit medical certificates that certify that he does not have any diseases dangerous to society. That is, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination.
It is necessary to obtain medical documents confirming the absence of pulmonary tuberculosis, immunodeficiency virus, leprosy, and sexually transmitted diseases. You must provide both originals and notarized photocopies of these documents.
As for confirmation of material well-being, this could be documentation of official wages or a bank account statement. The applicant must have at his disposal money no less than the minimum subsistence level established in the region where the application is submitted.
Note! If all the documentation is collected in accordance with the requirements set by the legislation of the Russian Federation, then after six months the foreigner will receive a residence permit.
Registration procedure
Obtaining a residence permit for a foreign resident married to a Russian citizen involves going through several stages. The first step in crossing the state border with the Russian Federation must be completely legal with the required documentation (visa, migration card).
Then, no less than 7 working calendar days in advance, the applicant needs to register with the territorial office of the migration authorities and issue a temporary residence permit.
Next you need to rush to the registry office. Marriage is possible a month after submitting the application. After 3 years of permanent residence in the Russian Federation as the husband (wife) of a Russian citizen, a foreigner can count on receiving a residence permit without quotas.
Important! An application for a residence permit should be submitted at least six months before the expiration of the temporary residence permit.
Features of payment of state duty
The amount of the state fee for obtaining a residence permit is the same for all categories of foreigners. Including marriage. The amount is 5,000 rubles. It has increased since November 1, 2021. The reason for the increase is that the new model is characterized by electronic media.
Interesting article: How to obtain a TIN for a residence permit?
You can deposit money:
- in any bank (you can go to the cash desk of any branch, but almost all charge interest for the transfer except Sberbank);
- through a payment terminal;
- using an ATM;
- translate according to the details (they are issued by the inspector);
- using the mobile version of your personal account (in this case, the receipt must be printed; the check must have the seal of the banking organization).
If for some reason the migration service employee did not give out the account number where to transfer the money, then the foreigner can find it at the information stand, which is located in every department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. There are a lot of numbers, it is important not to make mistakes.
Each region has its own payment details.
The inspector will not accept a package of documents without a receipt confirming the fact of payment of 5,000 rubles. If you lose a check, you can restore it by contacting the bank office with your passport.