How to get Russian citizenship. Izvestia's instructions

Obtaining citizenship is an important step for those who are going to link their future lives with Russia. It allows you to enjoy all the rights of citizens, including to participate in elections and hold public office. Izvestia tells us who can get a Russian passport and how to do it.

Who can get Russian citizenship in 2025

Today, there are five ways to obtain Russian citizenship: by birth, as a result of naturalization (the process of becoming a citizen), as a result of recognition as a citizen (for former citizens of the USSR and their direct descendants), when changing state borders, and under an international agreement. Each of them includes several categories of people eligible to apply for a Russian passport.

Who can obtain Russian citizenship by birth

• a child if both of his parents or the only parent are Russian citizens (place of birth does not matter);
• a child, one of whose parents is a citizen of the Russian Federation, and the other is stateless (place of birth does not matter);
• a child born in Russia if at least one of his parents is a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• a child born in Russia who has not acquired foreign citizenship if his parents are foreigners permanently residing in the Russian Federation;
• a child born abroad who has not acquired foreign citizenship, if at least one of his parents is a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• a child who was born on a Russian ship or plane and did not acquire foreign citizenship by birth;
• a child found on the territory of the Russian Federation if his parents are unknown and his citizenship cannot be established within six months.

Legislative Institute: with what results did the State Duma close the spring session

A new messenger, a fine for searching for extremist materials, benefits for pregnant students, and other initiatives that have provoked the strongest reaction.

Who can become a citizen of the Russian Federation through the naturalization procedure

• an adult and capable foreigner or a stateless person who has been permanently residing in the Russian Federation for five years or longer, speaks Russian, knows the history and fundamentals of the country's laws;
• a capable foreigner or a stateless person over the age of 70 who has been living in the territory of the Russian Federation for five years or more (if there are no grounds for denial of citizenship);
• a capable foreigner or a stateless person with a group I disability who has been living in the Russian Federation for five years or more;
• adult and capable foreigners who have special services to the Russian Federation;
• military personnel who served in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for at least a year during the special operation to liberate Donbass, as well as their family members;
• family members (spouses, children, parents) of foreigners who joined the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and died during the special operation in Donbass (since July 2025);
• adult foreigners whose professional skills are of interest to Russia.

Who can be recognized as a Russian citizen

Former citizens of the USSR can be recognized as Russian citizens in two cases: if they lived on the territory of the Russian Federation as of February 6, 1992, or if they returned to the country for permanent residence. At the same time, those who returned must confirm the fact of their birth in the territory of the RSFSR or prove that at least one of their parents was a citizen of the USSR who lived in the territory of the RSFSR.

Other grounds for obtaining Russian citizenship

Residents of territories whose nationality has changed have the right to obtain Russian citizenship. In addition, an international agreement may become the basis for granting citizenship.

How to get Russian citizenship in the usual way

Foreigners who do not have special services to the Russian Federation or other benefits will have to be patient, since the procedure for obtaining citizenship takes several years. Let's consider its main stages.

Step 1. Temporary residence permit

A temporary residence permit is a document that grants a foreigner or stateless person the right to live and work in Russia for three years. It allows you to apply for temporary registration, get a visa, or open a business, but the main advantage of the RVPs is the opportunity to obtain a residence permit in the future.

By a foreign coincidence: twice as many highly qualified workers have arrived in Russia

To what extent does our economy need them and from which countries do the personnel come

To get a PRTR, you need to collect a package of documents:

• the application is in two copies;
• two 35x45mm photos;
• passport or other identification document;
• a document confirming the absence or presence of a criminal record;
• a document confirming the fact of proficiency in the Russian language (certificate, graduation certificate from a school, college or university in the Russian Federation, etc.);
• a receipt for payment of the state duty in the amount of 1,920 rubles.

It is important to keep in mind that a limited number of people can apply for an RVP in Russia every year. The quota for each region is set by the Government. However, there are several categories of people who can receive an RVR without a quota. These include:

• spouses of Russian citizens, provided that the marriage lasts more than three years;
• minor children of people receiving RVPs;
• incapacitated persons who receive RVPs together with their guardians;
• citizens of the CIS countries who receive higher education in Russia;
• citizens of Kazakhstan, Moldova or Ukraine;
• stateless persons who have received a temporary identity card in Russia.

Step 2. Residence permit

A residence permit (residence permit) is a document that allows foreigners to legally reside in Russia on a permanent basis. It gives the holder the opportunity to live in any region, receive free medical treatment under the compulsory medical insurance policy, and also freely cross the border of the Russian Federation. It can be obtained by foreigners and stateless persons who have lived in the country for at least a year under the RVPS. At the same time, it is allowed to apply after eight months of residence.

To obtain a residence permit, you must undergo a medical examination, confirm your knowledge of the Russian language, submit an application through Gosuslugi or at the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at your place of residence, and then pay a fee of 6 thousand rubles.

Documents for applying for a residence permit:

• passport;
• two photos 35x45 mm;
• a document confirming income in the amount of at least the minimum subsistence level (work certificate, income statement, bank statement, etc.);
• a document confirming the right to housing (lease agreement, certificate of ownership);
• medical report;
• documents confirming knowledge of the Russian language, history and legislation of Russia.

Step 3. Acquisition of citizenship

Five years after obtaining a residence permit, a foreigner has the right to apply for citizenship. However, to obtain a Russian passport, simply living in the country is not enough. In addition, you need to have an official income and speak Russian.

To complete the naturalization procedure, you will need the following documents:

• the application is in two copies;
• passport or other identification document with a notarized translation (if necessary);
• three photos 30x40 mm;
• documents confirming knowledge of the Russian language, the basics of legislation and the history of Russia;
• a receipt for payment of the fee in the amount of 4.2 thousand rubles.

Without crossing borders: foreigners will be banned from entering for insulting Russia

The State Duma is preparing amendments to the draft law on the seizure of property of citizens who oppose the interests of the Russian Federation abroad.

Minors and people over 70 years of age do not need to take exams for knowledge of the Russian language and other subjects. People who are exempt from the Russian language proficiency test are also:

• got it at birth;
• acquired citizenship after the change of state borders;
• they have special merits for Russia;
• they are former citizens of the USSR;
• they are of interest to Russia in connection with their professional skills.

Starting in 2023, all foreigners and stateless persons undergoing naturalization must also take the oath of office in front of the National Flag of the Russian Federation. Abandoning this stage would be tantamount to renouncing citizenship.

Simplified Russian citizenship

There are also several categories of people who can obtain Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. All of them are described in Article 16 of the law "On Citizenship". The simplified procedure exempts foreigners from having to take exams, wait five years from the date of obtaining a residence permit, or shortens the period for reviewing an application. Separate benefits are provided for each case.

Who can obtain Russian citizenship in a simplified manner:

• signed a contract with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for a period of at least one year;
• refugees and persons granted political asylum who have been living in Russia for at least a year;
• former citizens of the USSR;
• people who have at least one parent who is a Russian citizen;
• married to a Russian citizen and having a child together;
• participants of the repatriation program and others.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin expanded the list of grounds for revoking Russian citizenship.