August 19, 2024, the President of Russia signed the Decree No. 702 "On the provision of humanitarian support to individuals who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values."
The decree allows foreign citizens and stateless persons to move to Russia and obtain a temporary residence permit (TRP) through a simplified process.
It does not count towards the approved quota for TRP, nor do you have to take tests in Russian language, history, or Russian legislation. If you:
- are a citizen of one of the countries on the list or a stateless person permanently residing there.
- share Russian spiritual and moral values and want to move to Russia,
you can contact a Russian diplomatic mission or consular office in a listed country to obtain a single-entry ordinary private visa for a period of 3 months, with the purpose of subsequently applying to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for a temporary residence permit (TRP).
The list of countries eligible for simplified temporary residence permit processing under Decree 702 includes the following: Australia, Austria, Albania, Andorra, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom (including British Crown dependencies and British Overseas Territories), Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, Slovenia, the United States, Taiwan (China), Ukraine, Finland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, and Japan.
Important: Decree No. 702 applies to individuals who are citizens of the countries listed above, as well as individuals who do not (for example, those residing there with a residence permit).
The steps for those moving under Decree No. 702- To obtain information about life opportunities in Russia and prepare the necessary documents for entry under Decree No. 702 (information can be found on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and on the website of the Russian diplomatic mission or consular office abroad in your country of residence).
- To sign a statement (at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Regional Office) rejecting government's policies that impose destructive neo-liberal ideological attitudes that contradict traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.
- To obtain a regular private visa for 3 months (at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Regional Office).
- To enter Russia.
- Complete all necessary migration procedures (registration, medical examination).
- Resolve social and living arrangements (open a bank account, obtain a SIM card).
- Obtain a temporary residence permit (RVP) (contact the local offices of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs).
Documents required- Passport or other identification document
- A notarised translation of all passport pages
- Migration card
- A Visa (if issued on a separate form)
- Residential registration notification
- Certificate of not having a criminal record (with an Apostille and a notarised translation into Russian)
- 2 black-and-white or colour photographs 3.5 x 4.5 cm; for stateless persons, 5 such photographs
- Medical certificate showing the absence of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the body - for all foreigners, regardless of age (Medical certificates must be issued by authorised medical organisations)
- Medical certificate of absence of dangerous infectious diseases
Processing timeThe approximate time to obtain a temporary residence permit is
4 months from the date of application