Obtaining Russian citizenship

Citizenship is a source of connection between a person and a state. The importance of a document confirming belonging to a particular country can be characterized by the immortal words of Lebedev-Kumach: "without a piece of paper you are an insect, but with a piece of paper you are a man." Citizenship makes it possible not only to exist, but also to live fully in the territory of the desired country.

Grounds and conditions for acquiring Russian citizenship

The key act regulating the issue of acquiring a Russian passport is the Federal Law "On Citizenship". It approved the basic principles for obtaining Russian citizenship. In addition, the President of the Russian Federation issued a special Regulation, which examines problem situations in detail.

Grounds for joining:

• Naturalization (upon application). A foreigner “becomes” a Russian. It is necessary to obtain a residence permit (abbreviated as a residence permit) in Russia, find an official job and live in the country not less than 5 years... Moreover, you also need to learn Russian;
• By birthright (filiation). If a child was born in Russia to two Russian citizens, then he acquires the opportunity to obtain official Russian citizenship upon reaching the age of 14. The condition works even when only one of the parents has Russian citizenship;
• By marriage. Residence permit and cohabitation required more than 3 years.

The listed grounds are general. In addition to them, there are also specific conditions with which you can make the coveted passport:

• Be a sought-after specialist. Official employment is the key to obtaining a Russian passport;
• The presence of relatives in Russia;
• Investments in the country's economy. The state generously endows people who increase its value. A wealthy entrepreneur or investor who serves Russia with money may hope to obtain citizenship;
• Life on the territory of the former USSR. After the collapse, many citizens of the republics wanted to return to their homeland - to Russia.

The law contains two ways of registration.

General order

It is required to prove one's own usefulness to the state and the desire to live on its territory.

The general procedure for obtaining requires applicants to comply with the following conditions:

1. Temporary residence permit (TRP);
2. Residence permit;
3. Live in the Russian Federation for more than 5 years.

Peculiarities:

• A residence permit (residence permit) is a document that legalizes the right to long-term residence in Russia. For foreigners, a residence permit is an analogue of a passport. Issued for 5 years;
• Residence Permit (RVP). It makes it possible to live in Russia, but already within the scope of the document itself;
• Life in Russia for 5 years means being on its territory and working.

Important! The five-year period begins to run from the moment of obtaining a residence permit. Stay without this document will not count.

Requirements for a person who wishes to acquire citizenship:

• Age. At least 18 years old;
• Legal capacity. It is necessary to determine whether a person gives an account of his actions and deeds;
• Obedience to the law. The person must respect the laws of the country in which he wants to live;
• Language skills. Special testing is carried out for knowledge of the rules of the Russian language;
• Official employment.

The processing time is one year.

Simplified order

The general procedure is provided for most situations, but there are times when it is possible to obtain the status of a citizen faster and easier. "Simplified" is available in the following categories:

• Foreigners who are children of Russians;
• Holders of USSR citizenship and living abroad;
• Former citizens of the USSR who were born in the RSFSR;
• Disabled people who have children with Russian citizenship;
• Foreigners married to Russians and living in a union for more than 3 years;
• Graduated from educational institutions of the Russian Federation after 2002 and have been working on the territory of Russia for more than 3 years. At the same time, it is important that the employer calculates contributions to the Pension Fund for the migrant;
• Entrepreneurs who carry out their activities on the territory of the Russian Federation, and whose contribution to the economy of the state is more than 1 million rubles;
• Investors who have invested money in the capital of a Russian organization for 3 years, while their share in a legal entity is at least 10 %... The authorized capital of the organization must be more than 100 million rubles;
• Russian speakers;
• Specialists;
• Veterans of the Great Patriotic War;
• Participants in a special program for the relocation of compatriots.

Family reunification is the most popular reason for obtaining Russian citizenship. After the collapse of the USSR, many former compatriots were left without contact with their relatives, and a simplified procedure is provided for them.

Cases on obtaining a Russian passport in a simplified manner are considered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). Previously, this issue was dealt with by the migration service.

Differences between general and simplified orders:

1. Foundations. For the general order, special reasons are not required;
2. Length of stay. For the general method, this is 5 years, for the simplified one, the period is not set;
3. The term for consideration of the application. "Simplified" is considered in the period from three months to six months, the general procedure - within 1 year;
4. Decision-making body. For the general, this is the President of the Russian Federation, for the simplified one - the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The entire process of obtaining a passport is regulated by regulatory enactments and does not provide for deviations from the rules.

How to get Russian citizenship

It all depends on the prescribed order. Documents, terms and stages of the general procedure differ from the simplified one. It is recommended to start the procedure for accepting citizenship only after meeting the requirements for a candidate wishing to become a citizen of Russia.

In the usual way

Stages:

1. Direct entry into the country or filing an application at an embassy or consulate;
2. Migration registration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Term - 7 days from the date of entry;
3. Receiving a RVP;
4. Registration of residence permit;
5. Passing tests and medical examinations. Thus, the state checks whether a person knows Russian and whether he is mentally healthy;
6. Obtaining a Russian passport.

First you need to collect a package of documents. The list itself depends on the specifics of the situation. If a foreign person wants to obtain citizenship abroad, then documents must be submitted to the embassy or consulate of the Russian Federation, but if the person is in Russia, then a package of papers must be submitted to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

List of documents:

• Passport of another state;
• Resident card;
• Certificate that confirms the absence of a criminal record;
• A document that confirms the renunciation of the previous citizenship. Not needed if a dual citizenship treaty has been concluded between states;
• Receipt for payment of the state fee;
• Statement. In duplicate. One is submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the other remains with the applicant;
• Photos in the amount of 2 pieces;
• Employment history. Confirms official employment.

Important! All documents must be originals. The state body does not accept copies, but makes them in the future for itself.

If the document contains information in a foreign language, then the text is translated. In addition, if a document is issued abroad, then it must have an apostille - an official confirmation of its validity on the territory of the Russian Federation. Apostille is placed at embassies and consulates

In a simplified manner

Stages of the simplified procedure:

1. Payment of state fees for applying to a government agency. The size - 3500 rubles;
2. Three months before the end of the period of stay in the country, the candidate submits a package of documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Served at the place of residence;
3. Drawing up an application;
4. Acceptance of documents by a government agency. An employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs puts a special mark in the application;
5. Verification of documents up to six months;
6. Candidate notification.

Required documents:

• Statement;
• Passport of another state;
• Certificate confirming knowledge of the Russian language;
• Other documents.

If a person has grounds for introducing a simplified procedure, then he is obliged to submit documents that confirm such a possibility. For example, if a foreigner is married to a Russian woman, then a marriage certificate is required. The fact of kinship is confirmed by a birth certificate and other documents that contain information about blood ties.

There are highly specialized intermediary firms operating on the market, claiming that they can help foreigners. Companies provide services for obtaining citizenship. Most of these firms conduct fraudulent transactions by deceiving customers. It is necessary to remember the deadlines established by law: it is not recommended to trust persons who claim that they will help to obtain a passport in a short time.

You can find out about the readiness of your passport in two ways:

1. Wait for notification from the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
2. Call or visit a government agency in person.

Grounds for refusal

The most common reason for rejection is that a candidate does not meet legal requirements. Minority, incapacity and incapacity for work are the main reasons for rejecting an application.

Refusals in case of false documents or incomplete package are also common. Forgery of papers can become the basis not only for rejection of the application, but also for bringing to legal responsibility.

The law also establishes other reasons:

• Extremism. The person pursues the goal of overthrowing the Russian state or otherwise harming it;
• Participation in armed conflicts on the side of the enemy;
• Crime.

If a person is clean before the law and meets all the established requirements, the refusal can be appealed. The central body that deals with the settlement of disputes between foreign persons and state authorities is the court.

To appeal the refusal, you must draw up a statement of claim and clearly state the circumstances of the case, as well as write your requirements.

Russian citizenship provides advantages for foreign persons residing in the territory of the Russian Federation. Issuance of loans, political protection, registration of real estate in ownership and much more becomes available to a person who has received a passport of a citizen of Russia.