Way to Russia Talk Lounge

WayToRussia · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:20 pm Post subject: Russian citizenship rules ease

Before reading this, please, see our guide on how to become a Russian citizen here: http://waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Status.html

You may also be interested in how to marry in Russia: http://waytorussia.net/Practicalities/Marriage.html as it makes things a bit easier with the new rules outlined below.

If you have any questions -- post them here and we'll be happy to help if we can... Smile

Oh yes, and don't even think about becoming a Russian citizen if you don't intend to permanently settle here: the process is so hard and you need so much paperwork that it will eat a few months of your time.
If you just want to be able to stay in Russia a long time,you can do like most people: get a 1-year multiple entry so-called "business" visa. See more information about this here: http://waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Info.html

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On 11th November 2003 the law, which regulates the procedure of getting a Russian citizenship was changed and the new rules were introduced to ease the process of getting a Russian nationality.

Here are the new regulations that concern foreigners living in Russia (or foreigners, NOT from former CIS countries, who want to get Russian citizenship):

1. If a foreign citizen has been married to a Russian person for not less than 3 years AND is living in Russia at the moment, then he / she can get Russian citizeship through a simplified procedure. That is, there's no need to have a minimal period of consecurive stay in Russia after which you can apply for the Russian nationality.
If you are married to a Russian person for less than 3 years, then you don't have any advantages compared to anybody else. You will still need to present (1) a proof that you has been living in Russia for the last 5 years and stayed in Russia not less than 75% of all this time; (2) proof of sufficient income; (3) proof that you know Russian language; (4) permit of stay.

2. If a foreign citizen has at least one parent who has Russian citizenship and is living in Russia at the moment, the same simplified rules as described above apply (no need for minimum period of stay).

If you want to use these rules, you should apply before 1 January 2006. Also, note, that to apply for Russian citizenship under these new rules, you still need to get a permit of stay. The permit of stay can be obtained only if you arrived to Russia on a private visa (made after the private invitation). To ease everything up it is better to ask your wife (or parents) to make the personal invitation for you. This process is quite long and hard, and the permit of stay is a very INflexible document (e.g. you'll need to get an "exit visa" every time you leave Russia). However, if you are after Russian citizenship and you are OK staying in Russia most of the time, then these new rules will be good news for you.

Please, note, that the law will be implemented on 16 December 2003, and it might take some time for the Russian immigration officials to "accept" it.
Also, most of the new rules were made to ease the process of getting citizenship for the citizens of former CIS countries, and there can be unclear interpretations of some things written in the law by officials.

Here's a link to the full text of the law WITHOUT the new changes:
http://www.akdi.ru/gd/proekt/086205GD.SHTM (in Russian)

Here's a link to the Russian text of the new changes to the law:
http://www.rg.ru/2003/11/13/zakon.html (in Russian)

Here's a link to the leading Russian legal database (GARANT) experts comment on the law:
http://www.garant.ru/nav.php?pid=39&ssid=58&view=new&nid=365 (in Russian)

mcgroo · Just Starting Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 1

Hi there,

Thanks for posting the info on getting Russian citizenship if your spouse is Russian.

Do you know if the rule changes you mentioned in your post were passed?

Also, do you know where's best to get advice on the procedures involved, in particular the 'Permit of Stay' and then the procedure following that?, eg websites with detailed info, or maybe a Russian law firm able to advise?

You say there's no minimum period of consecutive stay, but how long would the stay need to be in Russia in order to obtain first the 'Permit of Stay' and then the actual procedure for obtaining citizenship?

Thanks for your help!

YanaLee · Just Starting Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 1

Hello, I hope you can asnwer my questions. I was born in Russia, but then moved to Belarus. After Belarus became independent I became a Belorussian citizen. Right now I live in USA and have a United States citizenship. I wonder what are the laws on dual citizenship and if it exists and I wonder if being born in Russia will help me get a Russian citizenship.
Thank you.

DavidC · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 1:43 am Post subject: Re: Dual citizenship

One of my good friends, American citizen, married a Russian woman. She became a naturalized American citizen. Even though she gave up her Russia citizenship, when she returned to Russia, they considered her as a Russian citizen and detained her for "tax evasion". My friend had to fly to Moscow to bail her out. They are still "fighting" the system.

I don't think you would have any problem getting a dual citizenship as Russia considers anyone born in Russia as her Citizen.

e · VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654

AfroRusse · Just Starting Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 1

Hey! Your message on how to get the russian citizenship was really informative! Now I would like to know the following:
-what does CIS stand for?
-and what about applying for the citizenship when you have a Russian parent/or grand-parent! My Great grand-father was russian. Can I still apply for the citiziship? What are the requirements?

Thx loads for replying whenever Very Happy

...Take care!!

AfroRusse

p_m1984 · Just Starting Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 1 Location: UK

goeast

These posts make me feel positive about the citizenship. I'm in the process of making a film and for funding purposes it would be better to be Russian than American. My wife is Russian born, and my son (actual) was born also in Russia. I lived there 6 years when it was easy to apply for the citizenship.

I looked into doing this in Moscow but the lawyer there said it might be easier in America via the consulate. Is this the case? Any experience here?

What is the time frame? It was listed as three years in Moscow. Is it less via the consulate? ALSO; is it better to use a lawyer and if all this is better in the states side, does anyone know one who does this?

Best,
Tony

me111 · Just Starting Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

My situation is as follows: A British student at Moscow University for seven and a half years. Fluent Russian. Will be married to a Russian citizen shortly. Am currently in Russia with a student visa. I intend to reside in Russia from now on. Am I eligible to apply for Russian citizenship and what is involved in obtaining this? Also being twenty-seven years of age will I have to undertake compulsory military service? Thanks greatly in anticipation of your answers.

MrSpice · Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431

http://waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Status.html

me111 · Just Starting Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

thanks - but any specifics?

ntrgc89 · Just Starting Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

traveler3 · Just Starting Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 4

To DavidC:

they detained her for tax evasion? That sounds quite unusual. Never heard of such things? What if she's never worked in the US?
I've seen many naturalized US citizens, being also Russian citizens, having no problems like that in Russia...

kumar55038 · Just Starting Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 1 Location: India

HI,
I am an Indian Citizen and i love to a russian girl. We want to marry in 2007.We will live together in russia after marry. Can you tell me which is the better way to get married? Where we will have to marry means in india or in russia?

vulkan968 · Just Starting Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

Hello there,

I am Serb currently living in Canada and I am interested in getting Russian citizenship. I have to say that I have never been in Russia, but I want to live there 'till the end of my life. Simply as that, I don't want to go now into details now, but I would like to see if I have any chances. I am married, 38 years old. We have one child and we were all born in Montenegro 'Црна Гора'. Both of us have university degree from Сербија и Црна Гора. I am in IT know and have certifications among them, Microsoft and the other...

What would be the first step? Can I contact embassy here in Canada?

Спасиба

Sorry on my Russian.