Simplified citizenship of the Russian Federation

In 2017, amendments were made to the law regulating the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship. The innovations were introduced taking into account the changes that have occurred in the world and the country over the past decade. The amendments affected, among other things, the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship, which now provides for a special procedure.

Grounds and conditions for obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner

In 2021, the list of persons who can apply for a new passport was expanded, bypassing the mandatory five-year waiting period. Unfortunately, not all foreigners are familiar with the simplified procedure and have no idea whether they can apply for it.

The group of applicants who have access to simplified citizenship registration include:

• Foreigners who are fluent in Russian (they must confirm this with a certificate);
• Citizens of third-party states with close relatives in Russia or former Soviet republics;
• Entrepreneurs doing business on Russian territory not less than 36 months (the authorized capital of the company must be within 10,000,000 rubles);
• Highly qualified workers and specialists who studied at Russian universities and now work in the country (the term of employment is set within 3 years);
• Investors who have invested in enterprises amounts equal to 10% from their authorized capital or more.

In addition to the listed foreign citizens, the following persons have the right to a simplified consideration of the petition:

• Persons permanently residing in the Russian Federation recognized as disabled;
• WWII veterans who are citizens of the former union republics (they must live in Russia at the time of submitting the papers);
• Persons participating in the state resettlement program.

The law pays special attention to children. For some categories of foreign minors, there is also a special procedure for obtaining citizenship.

These include children who:

• Have a Russian resident parent;
• Are under the official guardianship of a Russian;
• They are under the care of children's social institutions located in the country.

Disabled citizens are highlighted separately. Such persons can, in a facilitated manner, obtain citizenship, provided they are undergoing treatment in a specialized institution. The head of the medical institution must initiate the procedure.

The law provides for the signing of agreements on a simplified regime for the change of citizenship with a number of states.

According to the latest data, this list includes:

• Kazakhstan;
• Kyrgyzstan;
• Belarus.

The list may include new states. They also have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

Each applicant must meet a number of requirements:

• Recognize the obligation to comply with Russian law;
• Have a stable income that will allow you to support yourself on the territory of the Russian Federation;
• Issue an official waiver of valid citizenship.

An exception to the last paragraph are citizens of those states with which Russia has signed an agreement on dual citizenship.

The procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner in 2021

Acceptance of citizenship in a special regime implies a number of advantages:

• The period of compulsory residence in the country has been shortened up to 36 months instead of 5 years;
• The decision is made within 6 months instead of a year in the usual way;
• The Migration Service is responsible for examining applications.

The first stage of registration: passing the exam

Foreigners submit an application to the FMS department closest to them. But it is important to take into account that the simplified scheme consists of several stages, and the first of them is passing the exam in the Russian language. A good command of the language is the main basis for obtaining citizenship.

The changes made did not affect the preferential categories that are exempt from the exam. This includes:

• Women over 60 years old;
• Men over 65;
• Incapacitated persons;
• Foreigners who have been assigned a category 1 disability.

The rest of the applicants go through the procedure as usual. The exam acceptance system is well developed:

• Oral delivery;
• The presence of a commission of 3-5 people, including philologists;
• Assessment in points.

An applicant for Russian citizenship must receive at least 4 points.

At the end of the exam, a certificate is issued, with which you can already start collecting documents.

List of documents

Before visiting the official departments with a petition, you must collect:

• Application (can be downloaded from the link); The application for admission to the citizenship of the Russian Federation of the child and the sample of filling can be downloaded here.
• Photo size 30 by 40 (4 pieces);
• Confirmation of registration in the country;
• Receipt of payment of the fee (2000 rubles);
• Marriage certificate (if you change your surname);
• Certificate of passing the language exam;
• Papers confirming the stated grounds for passing the procedure in a simplified mode.

Requirements for securities

When collecting documents, you must pay attention to the requirements for them:

• The entire package must be provided in the original (copies are made in the presence of the applicant on the spot);
• Papers in a foreign language require a preliminary translation, which is certified by a notary (translation is done only in accredited bureaus);
• The presence of an apostille on foreign documents is mandatory.

When feeding, the papers can be folded in any order.

Additional documents

Most often, employees of the migration service do not ask for papers in addition to the main list. But it happens that they require:

• Residence permit (if any);
• Certificate from the place of work with the obligatory indication of wages and the date of employment;
• Identity card of the sample of the USSR.

In addition to the listed documents, any documents that are considered necessary for making a decision on citizenship can be requested.

Second stage: paper submission procedure

A foreigner applying for citizenship must personally come to the office of the migration services. In situations where the applicant cannot come to the FMS under any circumstances, 2 more documents will be required:

• Explanation of the need to use intermediaries when submitting documents;
• Power of attorney certified by a notary.

If all the papers are collected, then the procedure for their transfer will be as follows:

1. Visit to the migration department;
2. A short interview with a responsible employee;
3. View all documents;
4. Formation of a personal file.

Those documents that were provided in the original are returned to the visitor. Further, he will need to wait for the allotted time allotted for making a decision. The applicant will be personally notified of the fact that a new passport is ready or denied.

The nuances of filling out the questionnaire

Foreigners planning to become Russians under the simplified system must fill out an application form in duplicate.

You can enter information in any of the following ways:

• By hand;
• On the computer.

Regardless of the filling option, the application must be submitted only in printed form. It does not allow:

• Opinions;
• Errors;
• Bug fixes;
• Postscripts.

The form itself consists of several sheets, in which all columns must be filled in.

Information is entered only in Russian. Filling does not cause any particular difficulties, but nevertheless, some features are worth noting:

• Be sure to disclose the motives that caused the change of citizenship;
• It is important to indicate the need to formalize a new legal status for children;
• In one of the columns, the number of the certificate confirming the knowledge of the Russian language is entered;
• You should not hide information about your convictions and filed cases, as such information is carefully checked.

Also, in the questionnaire, you must indicate the time intervals during which the applicant left Russia.

Terms of obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner

On average, it takes about six months to consider an application. In rare cases, a new passport is issued 4 months in advance.

There is a preferential category of applicants who can become holders of a new passport after 36 months permanent residence.

It includes citizens of the following countries:

• Kazakhstan;
• Kyrgyzstan;
• Belarus.

Registration of citizenship for Ukrainians

Foreigners belonging to this category can also use the opportunity to obtain citizenship in a simplified manner.

In order to initiate the procedure, you must have lived in the country from 1 month to 3 years and meet one of the following requirements:

• Be in refugee status;
• Participate in the Compatriots program (it was created specifically for the Ukrainians);
• Have close relatives among Russians who can confirm kinship.

The law provides for the acquisition of citizenship in a simplified form and for services to the state. It can be sporting achievements or a significant contribution to cultural development.