The migration policy of any country is a dynamically changing category. The rules for entry and exit, obtaining the right to reside and receiving citizenship are constantly being improved. Every year you can find innovations. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the current Russian legislation that establishes the relevant rules. And the ways for a Belarusian to obtain Russian citizenship in 2017 may differ significantly from previous periods.
Relatively Russian citizenship, it is worth noting that there are two ways to obtain it for foreigners, this is how Belarusians are perceived by the official authorities of the state of the Russian Federation. The general procedure involves serious difficulties: residence on a residence permit in Russia for at least five years, acceptance into citizenship personally by the president, the consideration period is a year, as well as a number of other conditions. However, it is worth noting that citizens of Belarus do not need to obtain a residence permit to live in the territory of the Russian Federation. This may already suggest that it will be a little easier for Belarusians to obtain citizenship.
The second procedure for obtaining the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation in 2017 is simplified. It differs from the first one mainly in the following:
- the decision to assign the status is made by the head of the territorial body of internal affairs (that is, the issue is considered by the state body in the current order);
- the process of registration from submission to receipt of documents takes six months - which is half as much as the general procedure provides;
- it is not required to comply with all the conditions for obtaining the status, especially with regard to the period of residence in the Russian Federation and its documentation.
Citizens of Belarus can obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation under a simplified procedure. This right is provided for in Article 1 of the quadripartite international agreement, ratified by both the Russian Federation and Belarus, on a simplified procedure for acquiring citizenship. The Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic also joined the agreement.
When obtaining Russian citizenship, a Belarusian needs to confirm:
- The fact of having citizenship of the Byelorussian SSR, acquired before December 21, 1991;
- The presence and permanent residence of at least one close relative or family member (spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandmother, grandfather, grandchildren).
What is necessary for obtaining Russian citizenship by a Belarusian
In order to become a Russian citizen, a resident of Belarus will need to submit the following set of documents to the migration authorities at the territorial departments of the internal affairs bodies:
- An application drawn up according to the established model approved by the parties to the international agreement;
- A civil passport or other document that can certify the identity of a particular individual and testify to his belonging to the corresponding citizenship;
- A duly notarized photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A notarized copy of the marriage certificate;
- Documentary evidence of the presence of one of the two grounds indicated above, allowing you to become a citizen of the Russian Federation, bypassing the general procedure.
If the documents are not in Russian, a translation is required with the legalization of the signature and the correctness of the translation.
After submitting documents for registration of status, the internal affairs bodies are obliged to consider the issue of issuing a passport within a three-month period. The procedure provides for the preservation of legal ties with Belarus until a positive decision is made on the issue of granting civil status in Russia.
In addition, for the preparation of documentation when declaring the intention to become a citizen of the Russian Federation. The person also provides a set of photographs and proof of payment of the state fee in the prescribed amount.
If for registration of the status of certain categories of citizens by laws Russian Federation an easier route is provided, national laws apply, not those of the said Agreement. This, for example, concerns veterans of the Great Patriotic War, for whom the legislation on civil status provides preferential terms naturalization.
Thus, Belarusians have a real opportunity to become Russian citizens quite quickly. A simplified and shortened procedure is available to almost any resident of the Republic of Belarus. If there are grounds foreseen, it is possible to draw up documents and in three months already receive a Russian passport. At the same time, the status can be issued for minor children. If the individual does not have the above grounds, other reasons for obtaining status in a simplified manner should be considered.
Attention! Due to recent changes in legislation, the legal information in this article may be out of date!
Our lawyer can advise you free of charge - write a question in the form below:
Russia has developed strong and reliable relations with the Republic of Belarus. Naturally, this influenced legislation, economic cooperation and interactions in legal matters relating to the constitutional legal status individuals. Perhaps, Russian citizenship for Belarusians is not only a decisive step with an eye on the future, but also a fairly understandable procedure that has a number of undeniable advantages.
It all starts at the very beginning. The migration order of the Russian Federation allows Belarusians to act according to special rules. They are governed by two main regulations: Treaty on the Eurasian economic union and the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus dated January 24, 2016.
The procedure for obtaining citizenship for Belarusians
For all foreign citizens, with the exception of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, the sequence of movement to the Russian passport is specific and consists in the scheme: TRP (temporary residence permit), residence permit (residence permit) and, finally, citizenship of the Russian Federation. In addition, it is clearly migration policy and migration registration, which means that the foreigner must notify the Migration Office where he intends to live during his visit. The legal time frame for this may vary. It depends on the citizenship of the foreign citizen. The agreement mentioned above fixes that the citizens of the Republic of Belarus have equal rights with the citizens of Russia, that is, they have the possibility of freedom of movement, choice of place of stay and residence. They are exempted from registration with the UVM within 90 days from the date of entry. Another important aspect worth remembering is that, from the moment of the first visit to the start of obtaining citizenship, for Belarusians it excludes the stage of obtaining a TRP.
Further, either the general scheme becomes relevant - it is necessary to live in Russia for at least five years, or a simplified one: when there are grounds for obtaining Russian passport- then you can apply for citizenship of the Russian Federation much faster. Consideration of applications on a general basis can take up to a year. However, upon obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation, an accelerated procedure is possible for Belarusians - then the consideration period can be reduced to three months. The reason for this may be, for example, marriage or close relationship with a citizen of the Russian Federation. Documents from both sides will be required to confirm such kinship, as well as their certified translation into Russian (if the original is in another language). There are enough other grounds on which Belarusians can apply for a simplified and accelerated procedure for obtaining a Russian passport.
Simplified citizenship for Belarusians
The Russian Federation provides for the possibility of obtaining simplified citizenship for Belarusians. The status of a citizen of the Russian Federation can be obtained after 3-4 months. All citizens of Belarus have the opportunity to obtain citizenship in a simplified manner.
An important nuance in the process of moving towards Russian citizenship for Belarusians is obtaining a passport of the PP series. This passport is received by those who are going to permanently reside outside the republic. At the same time, a person is deregistered at his former place of residence (that is, in the Republic of Belarus). You can exchange your national passport for a passport of the PP series both in Belarus itself and at the embassy of the republic on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Many Belarusians have the opportunity to change citizenship with entire families. For minors, the easiest way to obtain citizenship is through a simplified scheme: children receive it by birth, together with their parents, or as a result of admission.
List of general documents for obtaining citizenship for Belarusians in the Russian Federation
The list of documents for obtaining citizenship for citizens of Belarus is not much different from the documents of foreign citizens from other states. Timely submission of documents and their competent execution are necessary components.
The main documents that need to be submitted to the migration department:
- application in two copies
- receipt of payment of the fee,
- identity document,
- photos.
Certificate from the place of residence in the Russian Federation on the availability permanent place residence may be needed if this is not recorded in the documents (for example, a passport). In Belarus, Russian is the second state language, so citizens of this republic do not need to confirm knowledge of the language, which means that the certificate is not included in the list of required documents. But, in any case, proof is required that the future citizen of the Russian Federation has a legal source of income, can support himself (and his family, if necessary) and regularly pay taxes.
In addition, additional documents may be required in each individual situation. Their list varies depending on the specific life situation of a citizen. The experts of the Unified Document Center will help you determine the complete list. Sign up for a service
Preparation of documents, filing and obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation for Belarusians
Filing and receiving finished document is carried out in the territorial division of the Office for Migration of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. In St. Petersburg, this department is located on Krasnoy Tekstilshchik Street, on the territory of the Unified Document Center, and deals with migration issues both in the city and in the Leningrad Region.
In the Center, everything is as consistent as possible, both when submitting documents and when receiving a new red crust: after passing the live queue, which is formed by the visitors themselves, you must take an identity card (passport). Employees of the Center help clients to get the right number, because after receiving it, they are distributed according to directions.
Here, on the territory of the Center, applicants can receive advice and assistance in preparing a full package of documents for subsequent submission to the Migration Department. As part of a comprehensive service for the preparation of documents for obtaining citizenship, the staff of the Center will professionally prepare all Required documents in full compliance with the migration legislation of the Russian Federation. The service is provided by Migration Assistance LLC.
How to check the readiness of Russian citizenship for Belarusians
You can also check the readiness of Russian citizenship by using the online resource of the General Directorate for Migration. When the document is ready, you need to contact the territorial office of the UVM, where the package of documents was submitted.
Obtaining Russian citizenship is of interest to many, including Belarusians. When moving from Belarus to neighboring country the presence of a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation will facilitate both the possibility of employment and the receipt of benefits, pensions, free medical care and other things. Many politicians are increasingly speaking out in favor of simplifying the procedure for obtaining a Russian passport. Consider the question of how to obtain Russian citizenship for a Belarusian, and what is required for this.
In 2017, a Russian citizen's passport can be obtained in two ways:
- On a universal basis.
- In the presence of special grounds in a simplified manner.
Obtaining a passport on a general basis implies a complex scheme, including the acquisition of a residence permit, residence in the country and the subsequent signing of a petition addressed to the President. However, the citizens of Belarus do not actually need such a document as a residence permit.
According to the migration legislation, they have the right to move freely within the territory of Russia. That is, a residence permit must be issued only if the plans include moving to permanent residence and the further acquisition of a Russian passport.
The general procedure also provides for a serious basis for obtaining citizenship: the period of residence in the country must be at least five years. After the submission of documents by foreign citizens, it will take another year before a final decision is made.
If a person is interested in obtaining a Russian passport, he should first of all find out if he has any grounds for acquiring it under a simplified scheme. This process does not require a long wait.
Simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship
For the majority of citizens of Belarus, it is possible to apply a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation. The conditions are extremely simple:
- Having a close relative with a Russian passport (including grandparents, sisters, brothers and even grandchildren).
- By birthright (children born in Russia automatically become its citizens if at least one of the parents has a Russian passport).
- If a citizen lived or was born on the territory of Russia before 1991 (that is, obtaining actually lost citizenship).
- If a citizen of Belarus is legally married to a citizen of Russia for a period of three years or more.
- Upon receipt of a diploma of higher or secondary specialized education in Russia in one of the educational institutions after July 1, 2002.
It is important to know that when a child is born outside of Russia, he can also be granted citizenship of the Russian Federation if two conditions are met:
- One of the parents is a citizen of the Russian Federation.
- The second parent has no objections to this (a consent document is drawn up and notarized).
The term for obtaining a passport under a simplified scheme for citizens of Belarus will be approximately 3-4 months. For registration, you can submit documents both to the department of the Main Department of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Russian Federation, and to the Russian embassy, which is located in Minsk. As a rule, the package of documents is minimal and includes:
- The main document of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus.
- Appropriate application form.
- Departure sheet (if required).
- Passport size photographs.
- Receipt for payment of state duty.
- Other documents that may serve as the basis for admission to the citizenship of the Russian Federation.
On the website of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus, you can find more detailed information regarding the possibility of applying for citizenship, since in some cases it is provided for obtaining this status only on the territory of the Russian Federation.
If a person has retained the USSR passport and has not entered into the citizenship of another country for all the time, he has the right to restore citizenship under a simplified scheme. To do this, he will additionally have to provide information about his income (income must be official). You will also need to pass an exam for knowledge of the Russian language (the condition does not apply to incapacitated persons, the disabled and persons of retirement age).
General order: process and its nuances
Sometimes the citizenship of the Russian Federation for Belarusians is not available in a simplified manner, because the conditions listed above may not be feasible for a number of reasons. What to do in this case, and how to obtain Russian citizenship for a Belarusian in the general manner? You need to go through several stages:
- Enter Russia and register with the Consulate.
- Apply for a residence permit, having previously checked out from the previous place of residence in Belarus.
- A citizen of Belarus will need to live in the territory of the Russian Federation for five years.
- Submit a petition to the President.
- Get a decision.
Of course, obtaining Russian citizenship in this case is a lengthy process, but the law does not provide for any other way.
Reasons for rejection
Citizenship of the Russian Federation will be granted to a citizen of the Republic of Belarus if the circumstances for refusal are not clarified, which can be:
- Providing knowingly false data when applying.
- Participation of a Belarusian citizen in extremist organizations, organization of illegal actions.
- Service in military units or intelligence of any foreign state.
- The presence of an outstanding conviction for crimes in the territory of any state.
In order for a Belarusian to obtain Russian citizenship without any problems, one does not need to advocate a violent seizure of power, actively participate in opposition actions aimed at this. All of the above rules are enshrined in law.
Issues of Dual Citizenship
So, we figured out the question of how to obtain Russian citizenship for Belarusians, however, many are interested in the problem of dual citizenship. It is especially acute if a person actually lives in two countries. It is convenient to use alternately one or the other passport, but is it not prohibited by law?
Not officially recognized in Belarus double citizenship unlike Russia. When submitting documents through the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Minsk, the applicant will additionally be required to provide a paper confirming the refusal of the Belarusian passport.
Many citizens know how a Belarusian can keep his main document after receiving a Russian one: it is necessary to apply for citizenship in Russia, where such paper is not required. This is not formally prohibited, but all persons need to understand that the use of a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus from the moment of becoming a citizen of the Russian Federation is not legal. Upon discovery of this fact, a person faces a serious fine.
Obtaining Russian citizenship for citizens of Belarus is not a difficult process. The state fee is 3500 rubles. Citizens of Belarus are not required to take an exam for knowledge of the Russian language.
Russia and the Republic of Belarus have been closely cooperating in various fields for many years. The governments of these countries have signed more than one agreement and agreements that make life easier for Russians and Belarusians, and also guarantee them equal rights. The agreement on the creation of a union state made it possible to create a single migration space, which simplified the rules for crossing the border for citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus. It is worth noting that Russian level socio-economic development is higher, so quite often residents of a neighboring republic decide to move to the territory of the federation and stay here to live.
Belarusians are attracted to Russia visa-free regime, knowledge state language, broad prospects in the professional field, a similar mentality, simple and understandable laws, etc. Someone seeks to move for a while in order to find employment, while others seek to settle here on a permanent basis and obtain Russian citizenship. Not everyone knows how to do this. To clarify the current procedures and rules, you need to know well migration legislation or consult with an experienced lawyer in the specified legal field. The specialist will tell you on what grounds the status is obtained, and who can count on a simplified naturalization program, and will give effective advice.
You can get professional legal support not only by paying for the services of a commercial lawyer. Today, it is enough to have access to the Internet in order to be able to receive competent answers to your questions and resolve an extraordinary legal problem. On our website, online lawyers will always study the situation in detail and give reliable recommendations based on the individual circumstances of the case. Online legal services will save your time, effort and personal resources, as well as make it as easy as possible to find out how a citizen of Belarus can easily obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation.
The procedure and special conditions for obtaining Russian citizenship for Belarusians
Citizens of Belarus can visit the Russian Federation without a visa, but for those who plan to stay here, engage in professional activities and obtain a Russian passport, an entry permit is required. Belarusians are waiting for benefits at almost any stage of the registration procedures. They are exempted from the need to fill out a migration card. Then within a week they will have to receive temporary registration at the place of actual residence. Belarusians are allowed to skip the stage of issuing a temporary residence permit.After a year of legal residence in the country, an applicant from Belarus will be able to apply for a residence permit and permanent residence permit. A residence permit is issued for five years with the right to an unlimited number of extensions. Then the foreigner will be able to obtain Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. Keep in mind that not everyone is eligible for the expedited procedure. Belarusians with good reasons can apply for a simplified design algorithm. Reasons for granting privileges include:
- the Belarusian has Russian roots;
- repatriate status;
- obtaining education in Russian universities;
- registration of marriage with a citizen of the Russian Federation for three years.
It should be noted that dual citizenship is prohibited in Russia. This means that in order to obtain a Russian passport, a Belarusian will have to renounce his status as a citizen of the Republic of Belarus.
In order not to get confused about what a Belarusian can and cannot do, what benefits and bonuses are due to people from a neighboring republic, how to avoid mistakes when registering statuses, it is best to ask a competent specialist for advice. Lawyer with experience in migration, will help to draw up a competent algorithm of actions, avoid fines and other negative consequences of violating Russian laws.
Rules and deadlines for processing documents for citizenship of the Russian Federation
Apply for citizenship of the Russian Federation should be in the migration department at the place of residence. According to the standard procedure, the period for obtaining citizenship is one year. Simplified, Belarusians can become the owner of a Russian passport within 90 days. The decision to assign status Russian citizen received personally by the president. He will study the applicant's CV and check it for compliance with legislative criteria. Applicants for integration into Russian society must have a good reputation, respect state laws, traditions, culture and language, and have the means of subsistence.Depending on the situation and personal circumstances, the list of papers for Russian citizenship may change slightly. You can entrust the collection to a professional or do this work yourself. The services of intermediaries will significantly save time, but will provide additional costs. Mandatory documents for presentation are always:
- application in the prescribed form;
- applicant's identity card;
- passport photo;
- certificate of no criminal record;
- documents from the place of work;
- marital status certificates;
- receipt of payment of the state fee.
In general, any foreign citizen applicants for citizenship of the Russian Federation should first apply to the FMS and obtain a residence permit, and then live in the territory of the Russian Federation for at least 5 years. Then you can again contact the FMS and apply for citizenship. Such an application is considered within 1 year. However, citizens of Belarus, according to the simplified procedure, have the opportunity to become citizens of Russia much faster.
Documentation
The applicant, in addition to the application in 3 copies for obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation, filled out according to the approved model, should collect and submit to the FMS the following package of documents:
- Passport of the country of departure, where a seal must be affixed on moving for permanent residence in the Russian Federation, as well as on registration with the Consulate;
- Birth certificate;
- Resident card;
- For married and divorced, marriage and divorce certificates are required;
- If before 01.12.1991 the applicant lived on the territory of the RSFSR, he must provide a certificate of this;
- Passport of a relative (citizen of the Russian Federation) living in Russia and a document confirming kinship;
- Receipt of payment of the state duty (2 thousand rubles).
Russian citizenship for children
If the applicant intends to obtain Russian citizenship for his minor children, then the package of documents submitted to the FMS is somewhat wider than the usual list. It is necessary to additionally prepare notarized documents:
- Copies of birth certificates;
- Copy of the passport of the second parent;
- Consent of a minor (over 14 years old) to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation.
In the case when a minor has a migration card and registration, it will be necessary to additionally submit the consent of the second parent (who is not a citizen of the Russian Federation), certified by a notary. This procedure, as follows from the list of documents, is required when only one of the parents applies for Russian citizenship, and the other remains a citizen of Belarus.
FMS response
FMS is considering the application Belarusian citizens to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation within 1 year. If the decision is positive, the answer is sent to the applicant within 1 month. If the package of documents is sufficient to complete the procedure in an expedited manner, then the application is considered in a shorter period - 3 months.
After receiving a positive response from the FMS, you should again apply with this document at the place of registration to the territorial office of the FMS. Upon application, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation will be issued. Appropriate marks will be placed on the birth certificates of minors under 14 years of age. In the future, this mark will be enough for children to be issued a passport of citizens of the Russian Federation at the age of 14.
Other options
There are two more legal ways for Belarusians to obtain Russian citizenship under a simplified scheme:
- According to the first option, it is necessary to pass entrance exams, enter and study at a professional educational institution, and then work in the specialty received for 3 years on the territory of the Russian Federation.
- The second option involves marriage with a citizen of the Russian Federation, registration of a residence permit, and cohabitation with a spouse in the Russian Federation for a period of 3 years.
Which option is optimal in each specific case - a professional migration lawyer can suggest. Not always the available package of documents adequately satisfies the conditions specified in the Russian legislation. An experienced lawyer will help you collect all the missing documents and obtain Russian citizenship as soon as possible.
