Comparison: repatriate or compatriot?
Comparison of the repatriation subprogram and participation in the State Program for Compatriots in the general procedure
What is the best way to move to Russia? Who are compatriots and repatriates? Should you participate in the Program as a repatriate or under the general procedure? To help answer these questions, the tables below compare the conditions and benefits of moving as a repatriate and under the general procedure.
The choice of subprogram depends on the applicant’s personal circumstances. It is recommended that you carefully review the conditions of each subprogram and choose the option that is optimal for the applicant and their family members. The decision should be made after careful consideration and a prior assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Program participation
| conditions for participation in the Program | participants under the general procedure | repatriates |
| choice of region of settlement | only regions participating in the State Program | any region |
| compliance with the region’s requirements for the applicant’s education and work experience | required | not required |
| working age of the applicant | required | not required |
| Russian language proficiency interview when applying to the State Program | required | not required |
| where applicants who have only foreign citizenship (except applicants from unfriendly countries)* can submit documents for the State Program information on submitting documents by applicants from unfriendly countries is provided in the footnote below | in the Russian Federation - if they have a temporary residence permit, residence permit, or asylum in Russiaabroad – in their country of citizenship or country of permanent residence | only abroad, in any country |
| where applicants with Russian citizenship (except applicants from unfriendly countries)** can submit documents for the State Program information on submitting documents by applicants from unfriendly countries is provided in the footnote below | in their country of permanent residence (with a residence permit in that country) | in any country abroad |
| moving to another region of the Russian Federation less than three years after registration as a State Program participant (or a participant’s family member) | Resettler status is revoked; all payments and compensation must be repaid | Resettler status is retained |
| possibility of applying for a temporary residence permit without a quota | yes | yes |
| possibility of applying for a residence permit without first obtaining a temporary residence permit | no | yes |
| Possibility of applying directly for citizenship (without obtaining a temporary residence permit or residence permit) | yes | yes |
* Applicants from unfriendly countries who have only foreign citizenship may submit documents to participate in the Program both under the general procedure and as repatriates, either in the Russian Federation or in any country abroad.
** Applicants who are Russian citizens and permanently reside in unfriendly countries (with a residence permit in such a country and without permanent registration in Russia) may submit documents to participate in the Program both under the general procedure and as repatriates, in any country abroad. An application may be submitted in Russia only if the residence permit or citizenship of the unfriendly country has been revoked, or in cases of deportation, administrative expulsion, etc. (which must be documented).
Benefits for resettlers
| benefits, compensation, and payments | participants under the general procedure | repatriates |
| customs benefits when clearing personal belongings and vehicles | yes | yes |
| compensation for the cost of transporting personal belongings and vehicles (conditions apply) | yes | no |
| compensation for the cost of tickets for moving to Russia (conditions apply) | yes | no |
| compensation for the cost of obtaining a visa under the State Program | yes | yes |
| compensation for the state fee when applying for status in Russia | yes | yes |
| regional relocation allowances | yes | currently available only in two regions of the Russian Federation (Kaliningrad and Nizhny Novgorod Regions) (2025) |
