Russian Citizenship
Standard Procedure

How to get Russian citizenship through the general procedure.

An increasing number of different grounds are being introduced into the law that allow foreigners to obtain Russian citizenship. All grounds for obtaining citizenship are divided into those under the general procedure and those under the simplified procedure. Obtaining Russian citizenship through the general procedure begins with obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP). Get a TRP is the first step in the process of obtaining Russian citizenship through the general procedure. The standard procedure for obtaining citizenship now includes marriage to a Russian citizen, based on a quota, or based on enrollment in a Russian university.

Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is the very first step; the second step is obtaining a residence permit through the standard procedure; and the third step is obtaining Russian citizenship through the standard procedure. It is precisely with the TRP obtained through the standard procedure that the process of obtaining Russian citizenship on general grounds begins. Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) through the general procedure refers to the process by which a foreign national obtains a TRP without benefiting from any special privileges or expedited processing, subsequently obtains a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP), and ultimately acquires citizenship through the general procedure. The term “obtaining citizenship through the general procedure” is defined in the Law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation. All three stages of obtaining citizenship on general grounds are described in detail in this law.

The very first step—obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP) through the general procedure—can be described as obtaining a TRP quota, obtaining a TRP by marriage to a Russian citizen, or other grounds for application. Once the grounds for the standard procedure have been established, a foreign national is eligible to apply for a temporary residence permit. A key feature of this process is that at least five years must elapse between the date of receiving the temporary residence permit and the date of applying for citizenship. Since residence permits are now issued for an indefinite period, a foreign citizen receives a residence permit, lives in Russia under it for at least five years, and after that period becomes eligible to apply for Russian citizenship. 

The Process for Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit Through the Standard Procedure in 2026

Starting this year, additional categories have been added to the general procedure for obtaining citizenship. Marriage to a Russian citizen—which was previously considered part of the simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship—now falls under the general procedure, unless children are born into the marriage, in which case an application may be filed under the simplified procedure. International students who have obtained a Temporary Residence Permit for Educational Purposes (RVPO) and, under favorable circumstances, subsequently a Residence Permit (PRP), may later apply for Russian citizenship after five years of residence under this status. Certain categories of immigrants also obtain citizenship through the standard procedure.