Russia residence permit (VNZh)

Among the groups who receive a residence permit without an RVP are: highly qualified specialists and their family members; foreigners who have worked continuously for at least one year in a profession on the qualified-specialist list; graduates of accredited full-time higher education in Russia with honours; IT specialists working for accredited IT companies; finalists and winners of the 'Russia – Land of Opportunity' competitions; foreigners who have invested in Russia under criteria set by the government, together with their family; people with ancestors born or permanently resident within the borders of the RSFSR, the Russian Empire or the USSR; and parents or children of Russian citizens permanently living in Russia.

Under Article 8 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens, a residence permit can be issued to a foreigner who has lived in Russia for at least one year on the basis of a temporary residence permit. Graduates of state institutions holding an RVP for education can apply after completing an accredited programme. The permit is issued without time limit, except in specific cases set by law.

Applications are submitted to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs where you live, with your passport and translation, photos, proof of the legal basis (RVP or the direct-route document), proof of means, medical certificates and, where required, proof of knowledge of Russian, Russian history and the basics of Russian law.

On the general route the application may be filed no earlier than eight months into the first year of living in Russia on an RVP and no later than four months before the RVP expires; this window does not apply to the direct routes. Stateless persons receive the permit for ten years, a residence permit issued as a card with an electronic chip is valid for ten years, and for a highly qualified specialist and family it runs for the term of the HQS work permit until the specialist has worked two years in that capacity.

Within two months after each year from receiving the permit, holders must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs that they still live in Russia, in person, through an authorised organisation, by registered post or electronically through Gosuslugi; after every fifth year the notification must be made in person. The permit can be refused or cancelled if the holder spends more than six months in total outside Russia in a calendar year, apart from emergency treatment, serious illness, the death of a close relative abroad or official duty.

Residence permit holders may work without a work permit and travel in and out of Russia on their passport and permit. HQS who have worked in Russia for at least two years receive a permit without time limit. Holders must still comply with registration rules at their place of residence.

A refusal or cancellation of a residence permit can be appealed to the federal Ministry of Internal Affairs within three working days of receiving the notice, or to a court within three months.