Foreign citizens wanting to live in Russia are required to apply for a Russian residence permit or long-term visa. The authorities issue two types of permits or green cards for foreign citizens: temporary and permanent residence permits. Our lawyers in Russia will help you apply for either of the two types of permits and explain the procedures for 2026.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types |
– employment, – study, – family reunification, – medical purposes |
|
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) |
Around 20 days |
|
Temporary residence permit validity |
3 years |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence |
– valid passport, – clear criminal record, – medical certificates, – negative HIV test |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) |
Yes |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder |
Yes |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes |
Yes |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 2 years |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence |
– valid passport, – proof of income and accommodation, – health insurance, – basic knowledge of Russian language |
| Naturalization requirements |
– hold a valid residence permit, – living at least 5 years in Russia, – renunciation of foreign citizenship, – proof of income |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | Yes |
Table of Contents
Who can apply for temporary residency in Russia?
In order to obtain a temporary residence permit, one must fulfill one of the following criteria:
- the foreign citizens must have been born in Russia,
- must have a Russian family member,
- must be married to a Russian citizen,
- must be an investor doing business in Russia,
- must have been enrolled in the Russian military service.
Is there a quota on the number of people who can apply for a temporary residence permit in Russia?
Yes, the quota is established on an annual basis and, for 2026, it is 3,802 permits. It is also useful to note that these residence permits are issued for specific Russian cities, among which Moscow has 500 permits, and St. Petersburg 100.
Is there a way to relocate to Russia outside the imposed temporary residence permit quota?
Yes, this option is available for foreign citizens who are married to Russian citizens or have Russian parents who are incapacitated, to give a few examples. Our Russian immigration lawyers can provide the list of quota exemptions.
What are the steps to obtain a residence permit in Russia?
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- apply for a visa to enter the country;
- register with the local migration office in the city where you live;
- apply for the temporary residence permit with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
What are the documents I need to prepare to get a residence permit in Russia?
You need:
- valid passport;
- application forms;
- medical certificate;
- proof of income or a bank statement to indicate you can support your stay in the country;
- a clean criminal record.
You can also read about how to obtain a green card in Russia in 2026 in the infographic below:
Is there a way to obtain permanent residency directly in Russia?
Yes, certain categories of immigrants can apply for permanent residency directly, among which are:
- IT specialists who are hired by an approved company in Russia (you can also bring close family members with you in this case);
- highly skilled professionals who are paid a qualifying salary;
- foreign students who have graduated from a Russian State university with honors;
- people who share Russia’s traditional values, under the Shared Values Route.
Is it possible to get a residence permit in Russia through a golden visa?
Yes, Russia has such a program for those interested in investing here.
What are the requirements to get a residence permit under the Golden Visa Scheme in Russia?
As of 2026, the following conditions apply:
- the main applicant can include the spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren on the same application;
- applicants can also open Russian bank accounts;
- the applicant is no longer required to live in Russia for the minimum period of 6 months as before;
- the candidate becomes eligible for citizenship sooner: after 5 years of permanent residency.
Here is a video presentation we have prepared with information about how to obtain residency in Russia:
What are the requirements to obtain an investment-based residence permit in Russia?
One must comply with the following requirements in order to obtain Russian residency as an investor:
- the minimum amount of money to be invested is 100,000 USD;
- the investment must be made in specific industries, among which: oil and gas, agriculture, energy, medicine, information technology, and research and innovation;
- the money to be invested must derive from a legitimate source (proof of that is required by the authorities);
- the applicant must live in Russia for 90 days prior to applying for the investor residence permit.
What is the minimum period to obtain permanent residency in Russia?
1 or 3 years, depending on the relocation pathway.
What are the documents required for obtaining a Russian green card?
One will need to submit the following documents to the immigration authorities:
- an application form;
- four passport-sized photos;
- the valid passport;
- proof of income (bank statement);
- a health certificate indicating the applicant does not suffer from any contagious disease.
For other information about the immigration legislation, you can contact our lawyers in Russia.