How to move to Russia?

Updated 26 August 2026

Russia, just like any other country, does not have one universal “immigration visa.” A foreigner normally enters the country for a specific purpose and then obtains the appropriate residence status.

The two main statuses are a temporary residence permit (разрешение на временное проживание), commonly called an RVP (РВП), and a permanent residence permit (вид на жительство), or VNZh (ВНЖ). The standard route is RVP, followed by VNZh and, if desired, Russian citizenship. However, several groups of foreigners may apply directly for VNZh without first obtaining an RVP.

A tourist visa, electronic visa or ordinary visa-free visit is not a permanent immigration status. As a general rule, most visa-free visitors may stay in Russia for no more than 90 days in total during one calendar year unless they have another legal reason to remain.

Work

A Russian employer can help a foreign national obtain a work visa and work permit. The exact procedure depends on the person’s nationality, profession and country of permanent residence. Citizens of some countries can work under simplified rules.

Ordinary employment does not automatically give a person permanent residence. However, special options exist for highly qualified specialists, foreign IT professionals employed by accredited Russian IT companies and foreigners who have worked for at least 1 year in certain professions included in an official government list. These applicants may be able to receive VNZh without first obtaining an RVP.

Study

Foreign students usually enter Russia with an invitation from a university and, where required, a student visa.

A foreigner studying full-time in a qualifying higher-education or postgraduate programme at a state educational or scientific institution may apply for an RVP for education, known as an RVPO. It is valid for the period of study and for another 180 days after the programme ends. Note that not every private course, language school or short educational programme qualifies for this route!

After completing the programme, an RVPO holder may apply for VNZh within 3 years.

Family

Close family relationships with Russian citizens can provide a basis for temporary or permanent residence.

Under the current marriage rules, a foreign spouse may normally apply for an RVP without a regional quota if the marriage to a Russian citizen has lasted for at least 3 years. The three-year requirement does not apply when the spouses have a child together who was born or adopted during the marriage.

In both cases, such a Russian spouse must be registered at the place of residence in Russia. Note that a RVP obtained on this basis will only allow the immigrant to live and work in the region in which their husband/wife officially lives.

Certain foreign parents and children of Russian citizens may qualify for VNZh without an RVP. The precise requirements depend on the child’s age, place of permanent residence, the circumstances of birth and whether the parents were married. Marriage itself does not automatically give Russian citizenship.

Business and investment

Simply opening a Russian company or buying ordinary residential property does not automatically give a foreigner the right to live permanently in Russia.

A foreign investor who satisfies formal government criteria may apply directly for VNZh. Qualifying investments may involve investment projects, Russian companies, business activity, tax payments or certain real estate investments. Some members of the investor’s family may use the same immigration route.

Compatriots and Russian ancestry

Russia has a State Programme for the voluntary resettlement of compatriots living abroad. It is mainly intended for eligible former Soviet citizens, their descendants and other persons who have qualifying historical, family or cultural links with Russia. Participants may receive an RVP without a quota, while qualifying repatriates and their family members may be able to apply directly for VNZh.

A separate route is available to some former Soviet citizens born in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Foreigners with direct ancestors who were born or permanently lived within the territory now forming part of Russia may also qualify for simplified residence.

Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Ukraine have additional country-specific residence options — but the procedure is not identical for all four nationalities.

Special programmes

Under Presidential Decree No. 702, certain foreigners covered by a government-approved list may apply for an RVP outside the normal quota system if they declare that they "share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values". They are generally not required to prove knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic Russian law when applying for this particular RVP.

A second programme has operated since 15 April 2026. Under Presidential Decree No. 883, foreigners with significant achievements or highly demanded skills may seek recognition as persons of special interest to the Russian Federation. The programme covers, among others, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, cultural professionals and talented graduates.

Successful applicants and their family members may apply for a quota-free RVP or, subject to the relevant requirements, directly for VNZh.

Military service

It is one of the special legal grounds that may allow a foreign national to move to Russia and obtain residence status. Under Presidential Decree No. 821, certain persons who have signed a qualifying contract for service in the Russian Armed Forces or specified military rescue units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations may apply directly for VNZh without first obtaining an RVP. The same route may be available to certain former servicemembers who were discharged on grounds specified by law.

Qualifying servicemembers may also be eligible to apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure. Their spouses, children and parents sometimes have related residence or citizenship options. Eligibility depends on the date and duration of the contract, the applicant’s service record, the grounds for discharge where applicable, and the documents submitted to the authorities.

The general RVP route

A foreigner who has no family, professional or other special ground may apply for an RVP under the annual regional quota. The number of permits is limited and differs from one Russian region to another.

An ordinary RVP is valid for 3 years. Its holder normally has to live and work in the region where the permit was issued. During the first year of residence, the foreigner may apply for VNZh after the statutory waiting period.

An important rule for some male applicants

Since 5 November 2025, special temporary rules have applied to some legally capable male applicants aged between 18 and 65, except citizens of Belarus. When applying for VNZh through the ordinary RVP route or certain family and former-citizen grounds, they must to present a qualifying military-service contract, documents relating to previous service or official confirmation that they are unfit for military service.

These requirements do not apply to every VNZh category. So, it is especially important to identify the exact legal basis for the application before submitting documents.

Although the decree describes this procedure as temporary, it does not set a specific expiry date. As of today, the requirements remain in force and will continue to apply unless they are amended or repealed by a later decree.

Permanent residence and citizenship

VNZh generally allows a foreigner to live and work throughout Russia without a separate work permit or patent. In many cases, it is issued without a fixed end date, although special categories and biometric residence cards may have a limited document-validity period.

Russian citizenship is a separate legal step and is never automatic. Under the general procedure, an applicant normally needs five years of permanent residence with VNZh. A number of family, professional, humanitarian and compatriot categories can apply under simplified rules.

Russian language

Some of the above residency options require taking a Russian language exam, while others do not. For more information, read the article.



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