Digital service launched for applications from impatriates

A digital service for applications from foreign nationals deemed to be of interest to Russia under Decree No. 883 was launched on 15 April 2026

❗️ You can submit an application on the “Time to Live in Russia” website

Stages of the process:

➡️ Foreign nationals and stateless persons apply to the non-profit organization “Agency for Strategic Initiatives” with a petition to be recognized as persons of interest to the Russian Federation.
The candidate completes an application, prepares a résumé, and collects documents confirming their qualifications: diplomas, awards, certificates, and publications.

Documents confirming that a foreign national meets one or more of the conditions, as well as their brief autobiography, if not in Russian, must be submitted with a Russian translation or translated into Russian by the operator at the foreign national’s request. Documents issued by foreign organizations must be duly legalized unless otherwise provided for by international treaties of the Russian Federation.

➡️ An online interview with the operator then takes place.

➡️ Based on the petition and the documents attached to it, the foreign national’s personal qualities are assessed to determine whether they meet the conditions.

➡️ If the foreign national meets one or more of the conditions, a recommendation is sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

➡️ The Ministry of Internal Affairs checks the foreign national and, in parallel, forwards their documents to the working group of the Presidential Commission on Citizenship, after which it makes the final decision on granting the status.

➡️ If the Ministry of Internal Affairs makes a positive decision, the operator assigns the applicant a personal manager, who assists with preparing and submitting the documents required to obtain a temporary residence permit or residence permit for relocation to the Russian Federation. Assistance may also be provided in resolving issues arising during relocation to the Russian Federation, settling into a new place of residence, and finding employment. Services are provided free of charge.

✅ If a foreign national already has a temporary residence permit or residence permit in Russia, they may submit a petition:
- in paper form in person
- in paper form by mail
- through Gosuslugi.

Applications are processed within 95 to 125 days.

If an application is rejected, it may be resubmitted after one year.

You can read more about the service here.

This order entered into force on 15 April 2026.
 

We also remind you that these foreign nationals and their family members apply to the territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs:
➖with an application for a temporary residence permit, which is submitted without regard to the quota and without proof of knowledge of the Russian language, history, and fundamentals of Russian legislation
or
➖with an application for a residence permit, without first obtaining a temporary residence permit; proof of knowledge of the Russian language is required.
Family members are understood to mean a spouse, parents (adoptive parents), children, including adopted children or children under guardianship (trusteeship), and the spouse’s children, including adopted children or children under guardianship (trusteeship).
When applying for a temporary residence permit or residence permit, applicants must submit, together with the documents, a copy of the document confirming that the foreign national has been recognized as a person of interest to the Russian Federation.

Applications are processed within 30 days; this period may be extended, but by no more than 30 days.          

‼️ Employers and customers commissioning work are entitled to engage such foreign nationals and their family members in employment in the Russian Federation without obtaining permission to engage and employ foreign workers. These foreign nationals and their family members are entitled to work without obtaining permits if their application for a temporary residence permit or residence permit is being considered by the territorial offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, until the permit is issued or a decision is made to refuse it, provided that the employer submits to the territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs a notice of conclusion of an employment contract or civil-law contract for work within three business days of the contract being concluded.

We previously wrote about the decree here.