What must be done after receiving a residence permit?
Within 7 days, after receiving a residence permit document from the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, you will need to register at your place of stay or residence. Holders of a residence permit are allowed to obtain permanent registration, for example, in a purchased apartment or house.
If a resident does not yet have a TIN, he can apply for one if it is necessary for work, obtaining tax deductions or other purposes. An annual procedure for notifying migration departments about your place of residence, contacts and income level is also mandatory.
Registration after receiving a residence permit
To register a foreigner with a residence permit, a minimum of documents is required. He can contact the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where he had already been before when he was processing residence registration, or the MFC.
You need to have with you:
- your international passport (for children, birth certificate);
- application for temporary registration (sample can be downloaded here) or for permanent registration (sample download here);
- residence permit document;
- passport of the receiving party and consent to registration (if we are talking about temporary registration);
- rental agreement (for temporary registration) or purchase and sale of housing (for permanent residence);
- receipt of payment of state duty (total 350 rubles).
Interesting article: Registration of a residence permit in the Russian Federation
In contrast to the chosen type of registration, the validity period of the stamp also differs. For temporary registration, a certificate of this is issued for a period of up to 6 months, in special cases up to 5 years.
With constant there are no restrictions. Only in case of cancellation of the residence permit and deportation will the foreigner be obliged to de-register and leave Russia. Registration takes at least three days. In special cases, the period may be delayed up to 7-8 days (for example, when registering through the MFC).
What rights does a foreigner with a residence permit receive?
A citizen of another state who resides in the Russian Federation on a permanent basis is almost equal in status to Russians.
The restrictions are as follows:
- Suffrage. A person does not participate in elections of a subject of the Federation, does not vote for the president of the country and candidates for deputies.
- Labor law. A number of government agencies will not hire a migrant, even if he has a residence permit.
- Military duty. The Russian army is staffed by citizens of the state. Accordingly, it is impossible to conscript a foreigner even for a short period of time. But if a migrant of military age receives a Russian passport, then he may well end up in the ranks of the Armed Forces.
As for the rights granted, they are as follows:
- Opportunity to register in the Russian Federation on a permanent basis. However, if a foreigner does not take steps to extend the residence permit, which is issued for 5 years, and does not obtain citizenship, then he may be expelled from the state within 2 weeks.
- Migrants from distant countries with a residence permit can re-enter the territory of the Russian Federation without obtaining a visa. Significant savings in both time and money. Having a residence permit means that a foreigner will permanently reside in Russia, but it is possible to travel and it is permissible to make trips to his homeland. But if a foreigner does not stay in the Russian Federation for 6 months, then it is possible that the residence permit will be cancelled.
- You do not need to obtain a patent or work permit. And this is a big advantage. After obtaining a residence permit, it is enough to conclude an agreement. You can work and live in any region of the country.
- You can submit documents to the Federal Tax Service for registration of an individual entrepreneur or legal entity. It is easier to do business with a residence permit if you have the right to permanent residence in Russia.
- It is important that the foreigner with the specified document acquires social rights and can use them in the manner prescribed for Russians. For example, it becomes possible to receive free medical care, enroll children in kindergartens and schools, and apply for various benefits.
- You can participate in local elections and referendums. It was stated above that a migrant will not be able to take part in federal elections.
It is very important for a foreigner to refrain from breaking the law. If a Russian citizen faces punishment for a crime under the Code of Administrative Offenses or the Criminal Code: from a fine to restriction of freedom, then the foreigner may be deprived of the right to reside in the state and deported to his homeland.
It is also important to comply with immigration laws. In particular:
- promptly inform the authorities of the Main Directorate of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about your stay in the country, trips outside its borders and all returns;
- appear at the first legal request of representatives of migration authorities;
- monitor the validity of the residence permit and renew it in a timely manner.
Let us emphasize once again: any violation means the risk of being returned to your homeland without the right to enter the territory of the Russian Federation.
Many foreigners, having lived in Russia for 5 years, are thinking about acquiring its citizenship.
Registration process for residence permit holders
The registration procedure for residence permit holders is the same as for all other citizens. The only difference is the mandatory payment of state fees and the obligation to confirm your resident status.
Temporary registration procedure:
- Prepare a package of documents (see above) and contact the migration department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or the MFC (“My Documents”).
- Pick up your registration certificate at your place of residence.
Not only the foreigner himself, but also his host (relative, employer) has the right to apply for temporary registration.
When applying for permanent registration, the procedure is the same. But the foreigner will be required to confirm his right to move in, that is, the rights to the acquired property. To do this, it is enough to show the purchase and sale agreement or an extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate.
Procedure for permanent registration:
- Prepare a standard package of documents, attaching confirmation of rights to the apartment.
- Contact the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the MFC (“My Documents”) with an application (see sample above), documents and a receipt for payment of 350 rubles of state duty.
- After 3-8 days, pick up your passport with a registration stamp.
Interesting article: When can a residence permit be denied, and how to appeal the decision?
Documents (passport, birth certificate, etc.) are submitted in the form of originals. The stamp is placed not in the foreigner’s international passport, but in the “book” about the residence permit.
What is your registration?
Registration at the place of residenceRegistration at the place of stay
Application procedure
An application for registration can be submitted in person when visiting a police department or MFC (“My Documents”) or remotely through the State Services service.
To contact via the Internet:
- Go to the portal: gosuslugi.ru.
- Find the “Citizen Registration” section and fill out the online application.
Next, submit your application and wait for an invitation to an interview. You will need to have the original documents with you and then there is a chance that everything will be processed for you on the day of your application.
Responsibility for non-fulfillment
For lack of registration, a fine of several thousand rubles is imposed (according to Article 19.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). If a foreigner lived without registration in Moscow or St. Petersburg, you will have to pay from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles.
Annual status confirmation
Holders of residence permits must confirm their residence in the Russian Federation every year. To do this, fill out a special notification form (you can download a sample [Document 3]).
The Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs studies this document and looks at whether the owner of the residence permit has not left the country for more than six months a year, whether they earn at least the subsistence level and whether they are registered. From November 2021, such notifications are accepted only at regional migration departments.
Interesting article: Does purchasing real estate in Russia affect obtaining a residence permit?
Information about yourself is submitted within several months from the date of expiration of a year from the date of receipt of the residence permit. It can also be sent by registered mail, but after every fifth year it must be submitted to the officials in person.
Annual Notice of Residence
The responsibilities of a foreign citizen who has received a residence permit include annual confirmation of his residence in the Russian Federation at the place of registration and confirmation of the amount of his income.
The notification is submitted once a year by mail or in person to the territorial body of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, where you received your residence permit.
Please note that failure to submit a notice is considered an administrative offense and will result in a fine and possible administrative deportation. It is for this reason that I recommend that the very first time you submit a notification, you come to your district office in person and find out whether you can subsequently submit a notification by mail.
At its core, a notification for a residence permit is no different from a notification for a temporary residence permit, except that you no longer have to provide proof of income. In fact, they take your word for it that you live at the place of registration and work, receiving enough money based on the minimum subsistence level.
This is important to know: How to get a residence permit in Russia: how to get a residence permit for a citizen of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries
But even taking into account the fact that you do not document anything at the stage of submitting the notification, in the future you will still be checked and this will happen when you apply for citizenship. In particular, in the application for citizenship you must display all your income and places of work with confirmation down to the last piece of paper, including all 2-personal income tax, etc.
In addition, representatives of migration authorities can check you by asking your neighbors whether you really live at your registered address. Take these issues seriously. All this is very important. Try to avoid any confusion and ask the inspector for any controversial questions.
On the prospect of obtaining Russian citizenship
A residence permit is the last step on the path to obtaining a passport of a Russian citizen. Having lived in the Russian Federation for at least 5 years without violations, you can already apply for citizenship.
There is also a large list of citizens who have the right not to fulfill this minimum term requirement. For example, the naturalization period is shortened if the applicant has parents, children, spouses who are citizens of the Russian Federation, when arriving from Belarus or Ukraine, as well as in many other cases.
If during the period of validity of the residence permit you break the rules and get the document canceled, the naturalization period will begin to count down again. This also means the need to leave the Russian Federation within a short period of time (half a month).
Obtaining a permanent residence permit does not relieve a foreigner from other responsibilities. You will have to register, just like other citizens, and report your income annually. In case of any violation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will begin the process of canceling the residence permit. It is quite difficult to challenge such a decision in the future.
Ways of development of events
If we analyze the legislation, we can name two options for actions after obtaining a residence permit:
- a foreign citizen aims to obtain Russian citizenship;
- a person does not want to obtain a Russian passport, but plans to stay in the country to live, work or do business.
Both options are implemented in practice. There is a stereotype that all foreigners obtain a residence permit in order to eventually obtain citizenship. But that's not true. Many are satisfied with the situation when they are legally in Russia, while remaining citizens of other states.
To answer the stated questions, it is worth considering in detail the content of the opportunities that are provided to a migrant when applying for a residence permit.
How many times can I apply for a residence permit renewal?
A residence permit is given to a foreign citizen for 5 years. During this time, he must annually notify the migration services of his employment and place of residence. After 5 years, the citizen can again apply for a residence permit extension. He can submit such applications an unlimited number of times during his stay in Russia.
The second option he can choose is to apply for citizenship in the Russian Federation. Then he will receive a passport of the Russian Federation. You need to find out about the conditions and the full package of necessary documents on the spot - from your migration service.
Citizens who are subject to certain government programs and additional conditions can reduce the 5-year residence permit period. You should also check with your department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about the simplified scheme for obtaining citizenship. The main list of such citizens includes:
- Refugees;
- Previously had Russian citizenship;
- Highly qualified workers;
- Native speakers;
- Relocation program members, etc.
Important! It should be remembered that the period of residence in the country must be continuous. Travel abroad of Russia is allowed for no more than three months a year.
Is it worth getting citizenship if you have a residence permit?
A residence permit is the last step towards obtaining the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation. If immediately upon arrival in the country a migrant receives a permit allowing temporary stay and cannot apply for a Russian passport, then after he has acquired a residence permit, he can apply for the main document - an identity card of a Russian citizen.
Of course, neither a temporary residence permit nor a residence permit imply renunciation of the citizenship of one’s own country. If it is more convenient for a migrant to have the status of a citizen of the state from which he came, then having a residence permit does not oblige him to obtain a Russian passport. It is worth listing the main advantages that a Russian citizen has, and those who only have a residence permit do not:
- enjoy not only economic, but also political rights;
- the opportunity to get a job or get a loan on more favorable terms (some organizations include Russian citizenship in the list of mandatory requirements);
- you do not need to confirm your stay in Russia and extend your residence permit.
But there is also a significant disadvantage: if a person decides to get a Russian passport, he will have to renounce the citizenship of his native country. This is not acceptable for everyone.
