How to get a temporary residence permit in Russia?

A temporary residence permit (RVP) refers to a residence permit issued for a period of 3 years. Any foreign national legally staying in Russia can apply for it. It is generally the first step toward acquiring Russian citizenship and is marked by a special stamp in the passport. It cannot be extended. After the RVP expires, the holder must either apply for a permanent residence permit, leave the country, or, in certain special cases, apply for citizenship.

According to standard procedure, a foreign national can apply for a temporary residence permit under a quota approved by the Russian government. This means that the government sets a certain annual number of temporary permits for each region, and the region cannot issue more permits than those determined. For example, 750 permits are available for the Moscow region in 2024. Even if there are more applicants, the quota is distributed evenly throughout the year, with a specific number allocated each month. However, whether to accept an application or not is decided by a special commission. There are criteria that can significantly increase your chances of success, which I will mention later.

When can you get an RVP without taking into account the quota (i.e., guaranteed cases)?

• You are married to a Russian citizen and live in the region where your spouse legally resides.
• You have joined the Russian military for the period of your service.
• You are a participant in the state program to assist the voluntary resettlement of compatriots living abroad and their family members.
• You are a citizen of a state that was part of the USSR and pursued higher education in Russia.
• You are a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Moldova, or Ukraine.
• You are moving to Russia in accordance with international treaties signed by the Russian Federation.
• You are eligible for a permanent residence permit without needing a temporary one (more on this in another video).
• You are a stateless person and have a temporary identity card of a stateless person in Russia, or you are a stateless person who resided in Ukraine and was recognized as a refugee or received asylum in Russia.
• You can apply for an RVP together with your minor children or legally incompetent relatives.

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining an RVP under the quota:

1. Obtain a quota: The first thing you need to do is get into the quota. This is not a document; rather, your name will be included in the database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). Then, you can apply for a temporary residence permit, which is a separate procedure.
2. Apply for the quota: You apply for the quota through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The application is considered within one month, and the decision is announced within six days. The list of individuals granted a quota can be found in the same MVD department where you applied.
3. Undergo medical examinations: You need to have a medical exam, pay the state fee, and apply for the permit. Note that if you receive a quota in 2024, you will not be allowed to apply again in 2025.
4. Visa procedures: The Ministry of Internal Affairs will send notice about its decision. Applications for visas for foreign nationals are considered within four months, or visa-free for two months. You will come to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get the permit, which will be stamped into your passport as a separate document. This is done within three working days.
5. Multi-entry temporary resident visa: After the permit is issued, you will be granted a multi-entry temporary resident visa that is valid until the permit expires.

Documents required:

Besides your personal documents, when applying for a quota, I recommend presenting evidence that you either work or study in Russia, have relatives here, hold a profession in demand in the country, have a diploma (even if earned abroad), or have real estate or some form of income in Russia. This will help convince the commission that you are a person of interest to the country.

To apply for the permit itself, you will need to get tested for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and drugs in your body. You will also need to provide a certificate of no criminal record. If you have residence in another country, you must present the residence permit.

The most complicated requirement is proving proficiency in Russian. Remember that before applying, all documents in a foreign language must be translated by a certified translator and notarized. Documents issued in a foreign country must also be preliminarily apostilled or legalized in the country where they were issued.