Russian Citizenship
With us
We help secure faster appointments at Russian consulates worldwide
We prepare and complete your paperwork, minimizing errors and rejections
We locate and request archival documents in Russia on your behalf
Translation and notarization costs are included in the agreement
Without us
Consulate appointments may take 6–12 months
Risk of errors in applications, translations, and notarized documents
Archival searches in Russia are not available from abroad
Additional expenses for translations and notarization — starting from €1,100
Who is eligible for Russian Citizenship
According to Government Decree No. 169 of February 14, 2024, and Presidential Decree No. 962 of December 18, 2023, the following categories of individuals may apply for Russian citizenship:
Individuals born on the territory of Russia or the former RSFSR
Individuals with Russian ancestry
Foreigners who share traditional Russian values
Citizens of Belarus and Kazakhstan
Individuals who have signed a service contract with the Ministry of Defense of Russia
Foreigners married to a Russian citizen
Visa-free entry into Russia
Family connections remain protected, even if borders are closed
Retain property rights in Russia regardless of political changes
Access to free education, healthcare, and social services
A reliable second home for you and your children
Citizenship may be obtained either directly — without going through the stages of Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) and Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) — or shortly after obtaining a PRP. In certain cases, applicants are required to reside in Russia for five years on the basis of a PRP.
Therefore, before starting the process, it is important to understand the requirements for obtaining Russian citizenship, the specific procedures, the necessary steps, as well as the costs and timelines involved.
Foreign nationals or stateless persons may apply for Russian citizenship together with their minor children or dependents under guardianship. If at least one parent obtains Russian citizenship, they may subsequently apply for citizenship on behalf of their minor children or dependents under their care.
For some applicants passing a test in the Russian language as well as demonstrating basic knowledge of Russian history and legislation is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Russian passport. However, for certain categories of applicants, these requirements do not apply.
To ensure that your documents are accepted on the first attempt, it is strongly recommended to seek professional assistance from experts. This helps avoid application refusals and prevents complications in the future.
Acquiring Russian citizenship is a step-by-step legal process that may involve anywhere from 5 to 74 steps, depending on your eligibility grounds. To avoid delays or refusals, it is essential to complete each stage accurately and on time.
The typical pathway to Russian citizenship includes the following stages:
- Determining eligibility
The first step is to establish the legal basis for your application: resettlement program, repatriation, marriage, permanent residence permit, ancestry, etc. - Collecting and reviewing documents
An individual checklist of required documents is prepared. We verify everything — from birth and marriage certificates to passports and archival records. If necessary, we arrange searches for missing documents in Russia and abroad. - Translations and notarization
All foreign documents must be translated and notarized. - Completing forms and applications
Even a minor error in an application form can lead to rejection. - Filing with the Consulate or Ministry of Internal Affairs
We assist in scheduling an appointment at a Russian consulate in your country or with the MVD inside Russia. Certain applicants may be eligible for remote submission. - Interview preparation
Applicants under the resettlement program undergo an interview before filing. We provide training on typical questions, key focus areas, and strategies to succeed. - Receiving status
Depending on your pathway, you will receive either a resettlement program certificate or a formal decision on your citizenship. Afterward, a Russian passport is issued. - Support in Russia
If you plan to relocate to Russia, we continue assisting you through Russian government agencies.
The set of documents depends primarily on the legal basis of your application. Any documents in a foreign language must be translated, notarized, and, in some cases, legalized (depending on the applicant’s country of citizenship).
For most applications, the document package includes:
- Passport
- Document confirming legal stay in Russia (Permanent Residence Permit / Temporary Residence Permit / migration card)
- Applicant’s birth certificate
- Documents confirming any changes of name or surname
- Marriage certificate, marriage registration certificate, divorce certificate, or spouse’s death certificate
- Certificate of Russian language proficiency, as well as knowledge of Russian history and basic legislation (if required by the application basis and applicant’s age)
- Documents serving as grounds for the citizenship application
- Four matte photographs, size 35×45 mm
- Proof of payment of the state fee
- Application form in two copies
The timeline for obtaining Russian citizenship depends directly on the basis of your application. The fastest and most efficient option remains the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots. With proper preparation of documents and step-by-step support from our team, you may receive a Russian passport in as little as 6–9 months.
By comparison, applying for citizenship through a residence permit, quota, marriage, or labor migration may take 3 to 9 years — especially if handled independently, with the risk of refusals, delays, and repeated corrections to your paperwork.
We not only determine the shortest and most legitimate pathway for you but also handle every stage of preparation, scheduling, and submission. This significantly reduces waiting time and helps you avoid unnecessary delays.
There are several reasons why an application for Russian citizenship may be refused. The most common include:
- Incorrectly completed application forms
- An incomplete set of required documents
- An unexpunged criminal conviction for any offense
- Providing false or misleading information
If an applicant has ever faced criminal prosecution, the citizenship application must include official documentation proving that the conviction has been cleared or expunged (such as certificates from authorized agencies or a court decision).
It is also critical to exercise extreme care when completing applications for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP), Permanent Residence Permit (PRP), and citizenship. All submitted information undergoes thorough verification, and any inaccuracies may cause significant delays in the approval process.
— to bring thousands of compatriots back to Russia. That’s how the Central Migration Agency came into being.
— we create a future where everyone can live among their own, speak their native language, and raise children in a country that values its traditions.
— to help so many compatriots and like-minded individuals relocate to Russia that they could populate an entire city of a million people.
We would be delighted if you became part of this growing community.
Citizens of any country are eligible to apply for Russian citizenship. Russia does not require you to renounce your original citizenship. You can hold dual citizenship while maintaining rights and obligations in both countries.
The review of your citizenship application typically takes 3 to 6 months. However, the entire process, including obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP) and a permanent residence permit (PRP), can take up to 7 years.
It depends on the basis on which you are obtaining Russian citizenship. For most cases, relocating to Russia during the application process is mandatory. However, some programs such as the Compatriots Resettlement Program do not require residence in Russia even while your application is being processed. Once citizenship is granted, living in Russia is not obligatory.
Under Russian law, every male citizen must register for military service. This requirement applies even if you have already served in the military in your home country. However, foreigners holding a residence permit and citizens beyond conscription age are not drafted. As of July 2024, according to recent amendments, failure to register for military service after obtaining citizenship may result in loss of Russian citizenship.
The state fee for processing a Russian citizenship application is 4,200 RUB. The cost of full-service assistance depends on the complexity of your case and the documents you have.
We recommend beginning by determining the basis on which you are eligible for Russian citizenship. CMA migration experts can assist you with this process.
