Tightening the requirements for obtaining a temporary residence permit, residence permit, and Russian citizenship

The Government has submitted a bill to the State Duma under which an unexpunged or outstanding criminal conviction for any crime committed in Russia or abroad would constitute grounds for refusing citizenship, a temporary residence permit, or a residence permit in Russia.

The bill proposes that an unexpunged or outstanding criminal conviction, regardless of the severity of the crime committed, be recognized as grounds for refusing a Russian temporary residence permit, residence permit, or citizenship.

The bill also introduces a new requirement: when applying for a temporary residence permit or residence permit, foreign citizens will have to provide a certificate stating whether or not they have a criminal record. This rule will not apply to children under 14.

The bill provides for a transitional period for Ukrainian citizens (two years after the bill enters into force), during which they will be exempt from submitting the certificates mentioned above.
As stated in the explanatory note, this is because the authorized Ukrainian authorities refuse to issue their citizens certificates confirming the absence of a criminal record for submission to the competent Russian authorities.

The law is expected to enter into force 180 days after its official publication. Applications submitted before then will be considered under the previous rules.