Obtain Russian citizenship

Obtaining Russian Citizenship

Obtaining Russian Citizenship.

The final and concluding stage is obtaining Russian citizenship. This stage is the most challenging part of the legalization process for a foreign citizen. The law provides for two paths to obtaining Russian citizenship in 2026:

obtaining Russian citizenship through the standard procedure
obtaining Russian citizenship through the simplified procedure

An increasing number of categories of foreign nationals are eligible for the simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship. The simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship in 2026 also applies to foreign nationals who are participants in the Resettlement Program for Compatriots Living Abroad. Now, to obtain Russian citizenship, a foreign national is not required to: obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP), reside in the Russian Federation under a Residence Permit (RP) for 5 years, pass a Russian language proficiency exam, or prove financial stability. In 2026, renouncing one’s current citizenship will also not be required, and Russian citizenship can be obtained as a second citizenship. However, registration at a place of residence in the Russian Federation remains mandatory. This process provides for obtaining Russian citizenship within 4 to 6 months.

The presidential decree on the repatriation of compatriots, which has now come into effect, has become a reality and fulfilled the dream of many Russians living abroad; it allows descendants of Russian citizens to obtain citizenship within three months. The process of obtaining repatriate status involves verifying documents to determine whether the applicant is a descendant of a Russian citizen on the ascending line. In addition, the applicant must prove that they are a close relative of Russian citizens on the paternal or maternal side, or prove a familial connection to deceased relatives who once resided in Russia, the RSFSR, or the Russian Empire.

The most favorable category of applicants for Russian citizenship consists of children of Russian citizens. Children can obtain citizenship through parental lineage at a Russian consulate at the time of the child’s birth or within the territory of the Russian Federation within three months.

A simplified procedure also applies to the parents of Russian citizens. Foreign nationals whose children are citizens of the Russian Federation are eligible to obtain citizenship through their children, and in such cases, the parents are exempt from the Russian language test.

During the process of obtaining Russian citizenship, there may be certain exceptions in the form of concessions for “non-citizens” of Latvia and Estonia. Since these individuals are not recognized as citizens in their own countries, yet are former compatriots and citizens of the USSR, the law provides for a separate approach to this category of persons. Another exception may apply to citizens of countries with which Russia has mutually resolved, at the legislative level, the issue of applying for and obtaining dual citizenship.

Applying and Obtaining Russian Citizenship Through the Standard Procedure

Applying for and Obtaining Russian Citizenship Through the General Procedure

Obtaining Russian citizenship through the general procedure is the final, third stage in the process of legalizing a foreign citizen’s status in the Russian Federation. Under the general procedure, obtaining Russian citizenship can take more than 6 years. The first stage involves obtaining a quota for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) and subsequently obtaining the TRP itself, under which the applicant must reside for at least one year; after that, they can proceed to the second stage—obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP). Both of these processes are very similar in terms of the document submission procedure. The third and final stage is obtaining Russian citizenship, which requires proof of Russian language proficiency, financial stability, and compliance with other requirements.

In some cases, the general procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship can proceed without first obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP) quota; one such case is obtaining Russian citizenship through marriage. The main requirement for obtaining a TRP through marriage is now that the marriage must have lasted at least three years; only after this period can one begin the citizenship application process under the general grounds described above.

Full-time international students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher are eligible to obtain citizenship through the general procedure. A student is entitled to receive a temporary residence permit (TRP) for educational purposes; after receiving their degree, they may apply for a permanent residence permit (PRP), and after five years of residence under the PRP, they may submit documents to apply for citizenship.

Review of Applications for Russian Citizenship Under the General Procedure

After submitting documents for Russian citizenship to the territorial office of the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the decision to grant Russian citizenship is made by the President of Russia. The application review process under the general procedure takes longer than under the simplified procedure and takes one year from the date of submission. Unlike the simplified procedure, the standard procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship is more of an exceptional process for granting citizenship. This means that not every foreign citizen who applies for Russian citizenship under the standard procedure—even if they meet all the requirements—will ultimately become a Russian citizen.

Applying and Obtaining Russian Citizenship Through a Simplified Procedure

Cost of Obtaining Russian Citizenship.

Russian Citizenship for Citizens of Turkmenistan.

A special bilateral agreement has been concluded with this country, granting citizens of both countries the right to hold dual citizenship. Until 2015, citizens of Turkmenistan had two options for obtaining Russian citizenship: applying for Russian citizenship at a Russian consular office in Turkmenistan, or applying for Russian citizenship at a regional office of the Migration Directorate of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs within Russia. Unfortunately, as practice has shown, the process of obtaining dual citizenship with the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan has been unilaterally suspended by the Turkmen side. You can obtain more detailed information about the process of obtaining dual citizenship for citizens of Turkmenistan at our office.

Russian Citizenship for Ukrainian Citizens

Ukrainian citizens constitute a special category that cannot be overlooked when discussing the acquisition of Russian citizenship. Constant updates to migration legislation place Ukrainian citizens in a separate category, providing them with more opportunities and grounds for obtaining Russian citizenship through a simplified procedure. Presidential decrees contain many concessions and simplifications for Ukrainian citizens. Ukrainian citizens are exempt from many legal procedures and are entitled to obtain citizenship without going through the procedures for obtaining a residence permit or a temporary residence permit. If they so desire, they have the right to obtain a temporary residence permit without a quota or to apply directly for a residence permit.

For foreign citizens who are in the process of obtaining Russian citizenship, there is also a procedure for notifying authorities of their renunciation of their current citizenship. You can read more about the procedure for renouncing Russian citizenship in another article on our website dedicated specifically to issues of renouncing Russian citizenship.

The process of “obtaining Russian citizenship” is the most labor-intensive, complex, and time-consuming immigration process, with the decision-making process being challenging not only for applicants but also for the government agencies involved in the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to foreign nationals. This stage is the most thorough. During the review of the case and verification of the foreign national, previous applications submitted for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) and a Residence Permit are examined, and all information provided regarding entries, exits, and registrations at the place of residence is cross-checked. As a result, the vast majority of denials occur precisely at this final stage, when a foreign national seeks to become a Russian citizen. During these checks, previously reported inaccurate information comes to light—such as family ties, places of employment, tax payments, and even sham marriages. Increasing attention is being paid to the latter point, and inspectors from the Migration Department of the Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs frequently raise questions about the spouses’ registration and place of residence, the age difference between them, and even their social and financial status.

Discrepancies in the Spelling of Names.

Applicants for a Russian Federation passport should note that the Law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation requires accuracy and clarity in all submitted documents. There are cases where, during the application process, an applicant may have to consult foreign archives or even go to court to prove a family relationship with Russian citizens. Obtaining Russian citizenship is a complex and lengthy process that can take several years. Inconsistencies in the spelling of names in documents can be an obstacle to obtaining a Russian passport. For example, documents issued in the former Soviet republics often contain errors in the spelling of first and last names. In our practice, we have encountered documents where the patronymic was written in abbreviated form or where letters were changed to phonetically similar ones. There are also cases where it is impossible to confirm a change of first name or last name. For example, individuals born in the USSR during the German occupation or at the time of the Chernobyl disaster face enormous difficulties in restoring their documents. Archives that were removed or lost are sometimes irrecoverable, and in such cases, it is best to consult professionals.

Additional Services:

Renouncing Russian Citizenship

Obtaining Dual Citizenship

Filling Out an Application for Russian Citizenship

When you consult with our firm’s attorneys, you can count on the following assistance:

The specialists at Vorota Goroda are professionals in the field of immigration services. One of our areas of expertise is assisting foreign nationals in obtaining Russian citizenship as they enter the final stage of legalizing their status in Russia. We are ready to provide:

Assistance in gathering documents for applying for Russian citizenship in Moscow, the Moscow Region, the Tver Region, the Tyumen Region, the Republic of Tatarstan, and other regions of Russia.
Assistance in obtaining Russian citizenship at every stage of the application process
We assist in completing citizenship applications for both adult and minor family members
We ensure that documents for citizenship and a Russian passport are submitted exactly on time
We guarantee you time savings, high-quality service, and maximum convenience

For all these and other questions related to obtaining Russian citizenship, you can contact us by phone or, by appointment, visit our office.

Ворота Города

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