Registration of Russian citizenship after obtaining a residence permit

The issue of obtaining Russian citizenship invariably remains relevant for migrants from other countries. After all, it gives much more rights than a residence permit. In addition, if a person does not plan to leave the country and return to their homeland, then it is completely strange to remain in the status of a foreigner. Therefore, it is very useful to know what to do after obtaining a residence permit, which authorities and what documents you need to apply to obtain the status of a Russian citizen, and also how long the procedure takes.

A residence permit is the last step on the way to obtaining the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation. If immediately upon arrival in the country a migrant receives a permit allowing temporary stay and cannot apply for a Russian passport, then after he has acquired a residence permit, you can apply for the main document - an identity card of a Russian citizen.

Of course, neither the RVP nor the residence permit does not imply the renunciation of the citizenship of one's own country. If it is more convenient for a migrant to be in the status of a citizen of the state from which he came, then the presence of a residence permit does not oblige him to obtain a Russian passport. It is worth listing the main advantages that a Russian citizen has, and those who only have a residence permit do not have:

  • enjoy not only economic but also political rights;
  • the opportunity to get a job or get a loan on more favorable terms (some organizations include Russian citizenship in the list of mandatory requirements);
  • you do not need to confirm your stay in Russia and extend the residence permit.

But there is also a significant disadvantage: if a person decides to get a Russian passport, he will have to go to his native country. This is not acceptable to everyone.

Definition of the concept of "Citizenship of the Russian Federation"

It is worth understanding what is meant by citizenship of the Russian Federation. By receiving a Russian passport, a newly minted citizen enters into bilateral relations with the state, implying mutual rights. A person who has the status of a citizen can enjoy all the rights and privileges that the country guarantees to its citizens. And protection of the state extends to a citizen both when staying within the territorial borders of the country, and on the territory of other countries. But do not forget that obtaining the status of a citizen entails the emergence of not only rights, but also obligations.

Methods of acquiring citizenship by residence permit

So, what to do next after obtaining a residence permit? As a rule, in order to obtain Russian citizenship, it is necessary to first obtain a temporary residence permit, and then a residence permit, and only then apply for a change of civil status. However, there are also preferential categories of persons who can apply for a simplified procedure for obtaining the status of a citizen. These include:

  • those who were born in the USSR and did not receive the citizenship of a country that seceded from the USSR;
  • persons who have children who are citizens of the Russian Federation or who themselves are children of Russian citizens;
  • married to a Russian citizen and lived in such a union for at least 3 years;
  • foreigners with a Russian education and work experience in Russia for more than three years;
  • citizens of other countries who are entrepreneurs registered in Russia for more than three years.

Also, all other categories of persons specified in the relevant regulatory act, but not included in the list above, are entitled to a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation. For the rest, the procedure is carried out in the general order.

How to get Russian citizenship: Video

Length of stay in the state

The period of time after which it is possible to apply for citizenship after obtaining a residence permit depends on the basis on which the applicant claims to be a citizen. As stated above, if a person married a citizen of the Russian Federation, graduated from a Russian university or opened an enterprise in Russia, then at least three years must pass from this moment before you can start processing documents. For those who receive Russian citizenship on a general basis, it is necessary to live in the Russian Federation for at least five years. Throughout this period, the applicant must have a valid residence permit.

Registration procedure

If an applicant for a Russian passport has been living in Russia without a break for 5 years, then he can submit documents to the appropriate authority, the regional UVM of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Required documents

It is better to prepare a complete package of papers in advance, avoiding inaccuracies, errors, blots and other nuances that may lead to the need to re-apply, which will delay the registration process. The list of required documents includes:

  • application form - a fully completed form in two copies;
  • documentation confirming the place of residence of the person applying for citizenship;
  • documents confirming the fact of changing the surname or name, if the applicant changed them earlier;
  • 3 photographs of the applicant measuring 3.5 cm by 4 cm, in the manufacture of which the requirements for a passport photo are met (they are the same as);
  • confirmation of payment of state duty;
  • the original passport of a citizen of the state where the applicant came from.

All submitted documents must be original.

Deadlines for the procedure

The process of obtaining Russian citizenship is not fast. If we compare the period of waiting for a decision on citizenship, then the first, of course, happens faster. It may take a year from the moment the UVM UMVD of the Russian Federation accepted the documents before the applicant receives a notification with a decision. During this period, the competent authorities carry out a complete check of the applicant: they control the correctness of the data provided by him, confirm his identity, and also make sure that he received a residence permit and a residence permit in the country on legal grounds.

Then, if the applicant has successfully passed all the checks, a decision is made to grant him citizenship. If we are talking about obtaining a passport under a preferential scheme, then such a decision is made by the authorized bodies, if in general - by the President of Russia. Notice of the decision is sent to the applicant at the address indicated by him as the place of permanent residence. This operation may take another month. When a letter with a decision is received, you can go to the appropriate authority for a passport. The term for issuing a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation is no more than 30 days.

The nuances of obtaining citizenship


In addition to having a residence permit, all necessary documents, as well as living in Russia for more than 5 years, a person applying for a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation must also meet the following criteria:

  • comply with Russian law, that is, not commit offenses;
  • have a legal source of income that allows him to provide for himself and all his relatives who are in his care;
  • speak Russian fluently;
  • send a notification to his native country that he becomes a citizen of the Russian Federation and renounces the citizenship of this state.

The last point, however, is not always strictly observed in practice. Since Russian law does not imply any responsibility for dual citizenship, many keep a second passport. But it is worth considering that the government of another country may have different views on this situation and punish the bipatride to the fullest extent of their laws.

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