Is it Hard to Get Russian Citizenship?
Getting Russian citizenship is not as hard as you might think.
If you are a foreigner, there are three main ways to obtain Russian citizenship. Depending on your specific circumstances, it may take you anywhere from two to five years before you can apply for citizenship.
Citizenship by birth (jus soli) is one of the most common and most accessible routes to becoming a Russian citizen. Basically, anyone born to at least one Russian parent or who was born in Russia before a certain date is eligible for citizenship.
Another way to acquire Russian citizenship is through marriage to a Russian national. Until 2020, this required the couple to renounce their other citizenship. However, this requirement has now been eliminated.
This is a great option for people who have been married to Russians for a number of years, as it allows them to acquire a new citizenship without having to renounce their existing passport. In addition, it allows them to travel freely to all 105 countries that do not have visa restrictions on their passports.
The first step to acquiring Russian citizenship is to obtain a temporary residence permit from the government. You can do this online or by visiting an office in your home country.
After your residency permit is issued, you can begin to work in Russia. It is possible to work in a variety of occupations, as long as you are qualified to do so. If you are a highly skilled professional, you can get a permanent residence permit that will allow you to stay in the country even after your job ends.
Many of these specialists are hired by Russian companies to fill positions that require expertise and experience that is not available locally. This can be a very valuable asset for employers.
If you are interested in obtaining a permanent residence permit, it is best to work with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help you navigate the process. They can also assist you with completing the necessary paperwork and ensuring that you have the correct documentation for a smooth transition into the Russian system.
Several changes to the Russian laws in recent years have allowed for a faster path to citizenship. The first significant change granted permanent residence permits to highly qualified specialists in certain professions, which the Russian government deemed essential for the country’s development. This allowed Russian companies to hire more workers than ever before, without having to go through the lengthy bureaucracy that often accompanies hiring international employees.
Other changes allowed a more simplified procedure for those who graduated from a university in Russia. This included having completed government-accredited basic education programmes and completing at least a year of working in their professions.
Some of the other requirements for this process include demonstrating proficiency in Russian and proving a legal source of income. For these reasons, it is vital to check with your local office in Russia for any specific instructions and requirements that they might have.
