Putin signed a new federal law about simplifying the process of receiving Russian citizenship.
April 24th, 2020
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new federal law (№134-ФЗ) about simplifying the process of receiving Russian citizenship.
Foreign citizens and stateless people permanently living on the territory of the Russian Federation now will be able to apply for Russian citizenship following a simpler process.
The following people are eligible to obtain Russian citizenship with this newly simplified process:
- Adults who previously had USSR citizenship and who are currently living in one of the countries that were part of the USSR outside of Russia, but never received citizenship from that country.
- Foreign citizens who received vocational or higher education in Russia after July 1st, 2002, and have been working on the Russian territory for more than 1 year.
- Spouses who have been married to a Russian citizen for 1 year or more.
- Spouses who are married to a Russian citizen and have a child or children together.
- People who have at least one parent who is a Russian citizen and is living on the territory of the Russian Federation.
- Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine.
- Foreign citizens and stateless people who are permanently living on the territory of the Russian Federation and who have been determined to be like a native speaker.
IMPORTANT: Foreign citizens and stateless people permanently living on the territory of the Russian Federation no longer need to renounce their current citizenship.
Also, another rule will no longer be in effect – a requirement of a 3-year residence in Russia before applying. It is no longer required for you to have lived in Russia for a period of 3 or more years in order to apply for Russian citizenship.
Also, you do not need to prove your source of income to apply for Russian citizenship.
The new rules will go into effect 90 days after the date it was signed into law, which was April the 24th, 2020.
Please see the official link to read the whole text of the law.
We will keep you updated on this situation.
The following links may be useful for you
Getting a Russian visa in the U.S. for former USSR citizens or people born in the USSR
How to obtain a Russian “Foreign” travel passport in the U.S.
