The Russian Federation maintains migration records of all foreign citizens temporarily staying or residing on a temporary or permanent basis in the country. The relationship between Ukraine and Russia has always been considered special, and the Russian authorities have provided Ukrainians with many benefits regarding the procedure for staying in the country, obtaining refugee status, moving compatriots for permanent residence, acquiring Russian citizenship, and so on. However, in recent years the political situation in Ukraine cannot be called stable, and therefore the relations between the Ukrainian and Russian governments have changed to a certain extent. Hence the doubts of Ukrainians about whether the migration registration of Ukrainian citizens in Russia has changed in 2021, and in what order the migration registration of Ukrainian citizens in the Russian Federation is currently carried out.
What is the purpose of registering Ukrainian citizens for migration in the Russian Federation in 2021?
The goals of registering foreign citizens in the Russian Federation for migration can be classified into 2 groups:
- Goals pursued by the Russian government:
- obtaining the ability to track the location of foreigners in the country, obtaining statistics by region;
- ensuring national security (in the case of Ukraine, for example, the Russian authorities are trying to suppress terrorism, the likelihood of which has increased due to the conflict in eastern Ukraine).
- Goals that foreign citizens set for themselves:
- no problems with the Russian police if stopped on the street to check documents;
- possibility of currency exchange (no more than $200);
- obtaining the right to purchase and register a car or other vehicle;
- registration of a patent for official employment;
- the right to use the services of special services;
- the possibility of official employment, receiving a salary with all insurance deductions;
- the right to use the rights granted by the Russian authorities on the territory of the Russian Federation.
The obligation to register Ukrainian citizens for migration in the Russian Federation is regulated.
Benefits when registering for migration for citizens of the DPR and LPR in 2021
Due to the unfavorable situation in the self-proclaimed unrecognized states of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, the Russian government decided to simplify the migration registration procedure for citizens of the LPR and DPR. However, the mentioned benefits were canceled on March 24, 2021. In 2021 the situation looks like this:
- there was a decrease in the number of approved applications for temporary asylum and for the extension of this status;
- the length of stay of citizens of the DPR and LPR in temporary stay centers was reduced;
- The procedure for registering with the Russian Main Department of Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has become the same for citizens of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics.
Important! In accordance with Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2021 No. 1744, citizens of the LPR and DPR still have the right to stay in Russia for 180 days instead of the 90 days allotted to citizens of Ukraine.
Latest changes in the migration legislation of the Russian Federation
On December 29, 2021, Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1744 came into force, according to which for Ukrainians living in the territory of the LPR and DPR, the period of temporary stay was increased to 180 days.
They do not require temporary registration during this period.
In July 2021, changes were made to the law on migration registration of foreign citizens. It is possible to register at the place of work if a foreign citizen actually stays on the premises at the organization’s address (clause 2, article 21 of the Federal Law “On Migration Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation” dated July 18, 2006 N 109-FZ ).
The new law also clarifies the list of those who can act as a host for a foreigner. You can read more about this here.
In August 2021, amendments to the Federal Law “On Migration Registration of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation” came into force. Responsibility for removing a foreigner from migration registration lies entirely with the receiving party . As soon as a citizen of another country leaves his place of stay, the one who provided him with housing must send a notification to the territorial body of the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (GUVM MIA of the Russian Federation).
On August 2, 2021, the President of the Russian Federation adopted Federal Law-257: the full text of the law can be found on the official website https://www.kremlin.ru/acts/bank/44554. It came into force 90 days after its signing. Now citizens of Ukraine and stateless persons who permanently resided in the territory of this country can apply for a temporary residence permit without taking into account the quota if they are recognized as refugees or have received temporary asylum in the territory of the Russian Federation. You can view the editorial by following the link.
Who carries out migration registration of citizens of Ukraine in the Russian Federation in 2021
Depending on how the application for migration registration is submitted, the procedure can be carried out:
- by the citizen of Ukraine himself (if the application is filled out immediately at the moment of crossing the Russian border - at the checkpoint or at the Ukrainian consulate in the Russian Federation);
- a citizen of the Russian Federation - the receiving party (if the application is submitted by other means).
Important! The receiving party of a Ukrainian citizen bears full responsibility for the foreign citizen.
A citizen of the Russian Federation (host party) has the right to register a citizen of Ukraine for migration in 2021. It could be:
- an enterprise registered on the territory of the Russian Federation that hired a Ukrainian (if there is premises for the foreigner to live and accreditation for hiring foreign labor);
- the owner of the residential premises in which the Ukrainian citizen will live upon arrival in the Russian Federation;
- employee of the administration of the hotel (hotel or other establishment) where the foreign citizen is staying.
Obtaining citizenship in a simplified manner
Who has the right? Spouses of citizens of the Russian Federation with 3+ years of experience, born in the USSR on the territory of the RSFSR, people with parents or children who have a Russian passport, graduates of Russian universities.
After receiving a residence permit for citizens of Ukraine in a simplified manner, the migrant submits an application for citizenship. The review period is six months.
Documentation. To the package of documents required to obtain citizenship in the general manner, you need to add documents appropriate to the situation. For example, documents of relatives with Russian citizenship, SOB with a Russian man or Russian woman, a document confirming USSR citizenship.
Migration registration of Ukrainian citizens in the Russian Federation in 2021: deadlines
The time period during which a citizen of Ukraine must be assigned to his place of residence in Russia depends on the status in which he is in the Russian Federation:
| No. | The case of registration for migration | Migration registration deadlines |
| 1 | In the general case (i.e. unless there is an exception mentioned in Federal Law No. 109-FZ or an international treaty) | 7 working days from the moment of arrival at the place of temporary stay in the Russian Federation |
| 2 | Check-in at a hotel, hotel, guest house | 1 working day from the moment of arrival (application submitted by the hotel administration) |
| 3 | Arrival in the Russian Federation as a tourist or on a private visit for a period of less than 90 days | Not required |
| 4 | Highly qualified specialists and members of their families who arrived in the Russian Federation for a period of no more than 90 days | Not required |
| 5 | Highly qualified specialists and members of their families registered at the place of residence (registered at the place of stay) in the Russian Federation, upon arrival at a new place of residence in the Russian Federation | Exemption from migration registration within 30 days from the date of arrival at a new place of stay |
If a foreign citizen or the receiving party has decided to submit an application for migration registration through Russian Post, the letter must also be sent within 7 working days from the date of arrival in the country .
Important! Registration is carried out for the period stated in the notification of arrival, but not more than for the period of temporary stay of a foreigner in the Russian Federation, established by Federal Law of July 25, 2002 No. 115-FZ.
Why is temporary registration needed?
Having temporary registration with them, citizens of Ukraine can be registered with the Main Department of Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, receive a temporary residence permit, as well as a work patent. If there is no temporary registration mark, all of the above permissions will be unavailable.
Upon completion of registration, a citizen of Ukraine is also deprived of all these rights. Therefore, it is best to prepare documents on time and renew their validity on time.
A Ukrainian who came to Moscow in search of work must obtain temporary registration within 1 week from the moment of his stay in the Russian Federation. The migration card contains all the necessary instructions on the reverse side.
When legislation changes, information also changes. Therefore, this document clarifies all unclear points.
The migration card is an important document, produced in one copy. Therefore, it must be stored carefully.
What documents are needed to register a citizen of Ukraine for migration in the Russian Federation?
In order for the Main Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to accept an application for the need to register a citizen of Ukraine in Russia, it is necessary to prepare a package of documents (valid until March 1, 2021!), including:
| No. | Documents from a foreign citizen | Documents from a citizen of the Russian Federation, an individual (host party) | Documents from a legal entity in the Russian Federation (host party) - each must be certified with the company seal and signature of the general director |
| 1 | Copy of the national passport of Ukraine (for persons over 14 years old) | Russian passport (with photocopy) | A copy of an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (issued no earlier than 90 days ago) |
| 2 | Ukrainian birth certificate (for persons under 14 years old) | Document on ownership of the apartment (house) in which the foreigner will live | A copy of the decision on the appointment of a director of the company |
| 3 | Migration card (with border service stamp) | Lease agreement for residential premises in which a foreigner is received (if the property is not owned by the host party) | Copy of tax registration certificate |
| 4 | Arrival notification form (can be downloaded on the website of the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) | Receipt for payment of rental payments by the host party | A copy of the certificate of state registration of the enterprise |
| 5 | – | Written consent of the co-owners of the residential premises that a foreigner will be accepted there | A copy of the rental agreement for the property where the foreigner will stay |
| 6 | – | – | Notarized power of attorney for an employee (if the documents are not submitted personally by the director) |
Important! From March 1, 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine prohibits entry into Russia using internal passports and birth certificates. From now on, citizens of Ukraine will have to obtain foreign passports to cross the border of the Russian Federation.
Migration registration
Registration of temporary registration on the territory of the Russian Federation (migration registration) implies the obligation of the receiving party of a foreign citizen to submit to the territorial body of the Main Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation a notification of his arrival at the address of his actual place of stay. If a resident of Ukraine does not have real estate in Russia, then this is more complicated.
If real estate is owned and a foreign citizen lives there, then temporary registration is done precisely at the address of his own home. If you do not have your own housing, then temporary registration can be done with relatives, friends or acquaintances, but only if the foreign citizen actually stays at the address of a residential premises owned by one of them.
Temporary registration must be done only at the place of actual residence of the foreign citizen!
Features of migration registration
To temporarily register a foreigner on the territory of his living space, the owner of the property (the receiving party) must submit a notification of his arrival to the territorial body of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
The owner of real estate can be not only a Russian citizen. A person who has his own real estate on the territory of the Russian Federation will also be able to register a foreigner, and for this he no longer requires a residence permit. Such persons may be an enterprise or organization where a Ukrainian intends to carry out his work activities.
If a citizen of another country actually lives at the address of the organization’s residential premises and can prove this, then in this case he can register for migration at the address of employment.
You can register not only in apartments or residential buildings. Temporary registration can also be obtained at medical institutions and hotel complexes. Everything directly depends on the purpose of the trip.
What temporary registration looks like
This document contains the following information:
- Initials of the property owner.
- Personal data of a Ukrainian.
- Registration address.
- Registration deadline.
Migration registration of Ukrainian citizens in Russia: procedure
Important! There is no state fee for registering a Ukrainian citizen for migration registration in the Russian Federation. Registration is free of charge.
To register a Ukrainian for migration, a Russian citizen must come to the department of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, write a corresponding application and attach the accompanying documents. You can also write an application in electronic form and upload digitized copies of documents through the official State Services portal. But you will still have to come to the department to present the original papers.
After a specialist from the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs checks the information specified in the application and documents, the applicant will receive a notification that the result of the case is ready (usually via SMS or email). Upon personal appearance, he will be given a tear-off coupon (notification of migration registration) - it should be handed over to the foreigner, who undertakes to keep the document with him throughout the entire period of his stay in Russia .
Important! Registration of a foreign citizen (including Ukrainian) is not the same as registration at the place of residence. Information about the fact of a foreigner’s residence in a residential building owned by a Russian is recorded only in the databases of the immigration service. The information does not appear in the passport office, the cost of housing and communal services does not increase, and the amount of taxes does not increase.
So, the procedure for registering a Ukrainian citizen in the Russian Federation for migration is as follows:
| Stage | Algorithm of actions | Explanations |
| 1 | A citizen of Ukraine sends a notification to a Russian citizen (the receiving party) about the need to register for migration | This is done before arriving in Russia, in advance |
| 2 | Choose one of the possible ways to submit an application for the need to register a foreigner with migration registration | ● Territorial department of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; ● Multifunctional center (MFC); ● branch of the Russian Post (sending documents by registered mail with acknowledgment of delivery and a list of attachments); ● State Services portal. |
| 3 | The applicant (citizen of the Russian Federation) makes an appointment at the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs | If you choose the method of submitting documents directly to the Main Department of Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs |
| 4 | Come to the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs | To present original documents and pick up a notification coupon |
Documents for temporary registration
The Federal Law “On Registration of Foreign Citizens” allows citizens of Ukraine to obtain temporary registration at the address of the host country.
The receiving party for migration registration can be:
- Russian citizens;
- foreigners or stateless persons who have a residence permit in Russia;
- legal entity – an enterprise in which a resident of Ukraine intends to work;
- highly qualified specialists from among foreign citizens who own real estate - in relation to members of their families;
- hospitals, medical centers, hotels.
The package of documents for temporary registration for citizens of Ukraine includes:
- internal or foreign passport of a citizen of Ukraine (photocopy of the first two pages) and birth certificate of children under 14 years of age;
- an application in the established form from the owner (tenant) of the property at whose address registration will be made. If there are several owners of the property, then similar applications requesting the right of temporary residence of a citizen of Ukraine in the specified living space must be written by all co-owners of the apartment (house). It is possible to transfer the authority to submit an application on behalf of all owners of residential premises to an authorized person under a notarized power of attorney. If there are minors among the co-owners of the home, permission from the guardianship and trusteeship authorities is additionally granted for the temporary registration of a foreign citizen;
- migration card with the date of crossing the border and entering the territory of Russia.
Renewal of registration of a citizen of Ukraine on the territory of the Russian Federation in 2021
At the request of the receiving party, the registration of a Ukrainian can be extended, but only if there is one of the following reasons for prolonging the period of stay of a foreigner in the Russian Federation:
| No. | Reason for renewing registration of a citizen of Ukraine in the Russian Federation | A document confirming the existence of such a basis |
| 1 | Studying at a Russian university | Agreement with educational institution |
| 2 | Submission of documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP), residence permit (RP), status of a highly qualified specialist (HQS) | A certificate or note confirming the submission of documents to the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the execution of one of the mentioned documents |
| 3 | Official employment in the Russian Federation | ● Receipt for payment of the patent, ● employment contract with a Russian employer. |
| 4 | Filing an application for temporary asylum | Or obtaining official refugee status |
| 5 | Invitation to work as a highly qualified specialist | Job invitation from a Russian employer |
An application for renewal of registration of a foreign citizen is drawn up in any form indicating the following information:
- personal data of a Ukrainian (full name), citizenship;
- date of birth of the foreign citizen;
- passport details of the foreigner;
- residential addresses in the Russian Federation;
- objective reason for renewing registration.
Important! When officially employed at a Russian enterprise, a citizen of Ukraine may be given a mark on the migration card to extend the period of temporary stay in Russia, but for no more than 12 months.
Basic registration rules
This procedure allows you to keep track of the place of stay of both Russian citizens and visitors. In 2021, changes were made to Russian migration legislation. Ukrainians can stay on the territory of the state for no more than 90 days in 6 months. During the year, you are allowed to stay in the country for 180 days. If it is necessary to stay for a longer period, temporary registration is required, which is issued in the appropriate manner.
The maximum term depends on the purpose of the trip. You can register by indicating the following reasons:
- apparatus employed;
- admission to a higher educational institution;
- visit to relatives;
- moving to permanent residence.
Passports Russia Ukraine
Since the place of permanent registration (registration) is indicated in the passport of a citizen of Ukraine, in the Russian Federation it will be possible to issue only a temporary one. Permanent residence is possible only after obtaining citizenship. Temporary registration for Ukrainians will only be required for stays longer than 90 days. Permanent registration cannot be issued during the process of obtaining citizenship, but only upon its completion with the issuance of a passport.
Note! If you have an employment contract with your employer, you can sign up for one year at once. Additionally, you should obtain a patent allowing you to work legally in the Russian Federation.
To receive such a government service in Moscow, you will need to register at your temporary place of residence. I can register you in an apartment, residential building, medical facility and even a hotel complex. Many workers' hostels offer similar services. If you have real estate in the Russian Federation, you can register in your home. You can ask friends or relatives for help.
Ban on entry into the Russian Federation using an internal Ukrainian passport in 2021
Due to agreements between the Russian Federation and Ukraine in 1997 and 2011, Russians and Ukrainians could cross the borders of the two states using internal passports (and birth certificates for children). However, due to political disagreements, the Government of Ukraine banned Russian citizens from entering the country using an internal Russian passport from March 1, 2015. However, Russia did not take retaliatory actions.
However, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to prohibit its citizens from crossing the border of the Russian Federation using national Ukrainian passports and birth certificates “for security reasons.” The changes will come into force on March 1, 2021, and already at the moment, citizens of Ukraine located in the Russian Federation have the opportunity to issue foreign passports at the Embassy and consular offices of Ukraine in Russia .
“A simplified regime for Ukrainian citizens crossing the border with Russia poses a threat to the state security of Ukraine. Therefore, the draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers provides for the suspension of the provisions of the agreements with the Russian Federation in 1997 and 2011, which allowed crossing the border without a foreign passport.”
Sergey Pogoreltsev, Director of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Obtaining Russian citizenship for Ukraine under government programs
Who has the right? People with relatives in a direct ascending line who lived in the USSR on the territory of Russia (Russian Native Speakers Program - NNR), migrants who agree to resettle to remote regions of the Russian Federation (compatriots resettlement program).
Documentation. To participate in the NRN program, you will have to prove, using archival references, birth and marriage certificates, your direct relationship with someone who lived in the RSFSR or the Russian Empire, and pass a commission exam in the Russian language.
Participants in the resettlement program will need the same documents as for obtaining citizenship under the general procedure, plus a certificate of participation in the resettlement program.
Answers to frequently asked questions on the topic “Migration registration of Ukrainian citizens in Russia”
Question: A citizen of Ukraine came to Russia as a tourist. Duration of stay in the Russian Federation is 30 days. Does he need to register for migration?
Answer: No. If a Ukrainian citizen’s stay in Russia is no more than 90 days, and he comes as a tourist or on a private visit (by invitation), migration registration is not required.
Question: For what is the longest possible period of time it is possible to register a citizen of Ukraine in Russia for migration registration?
Answer: For 90 days. However, if there are compelling reasons for extending the period of stay in Russia, registration can be extended. In the absence of such grounds, you will have to leave the Russian Federation after 3 months of temporary stay in the country.
What will a citizen of Ukraine need?
A prerequisite is the consent of the person who owns the property to such an operation. The receiving party of the protrusion is not only an individual, but also an enterprise or organization.
Migration card - a subsequently required document is filled out when crossing the border indicating basic data, including the purpose of the trip and the period of stay in the country. It is mandatory to indicate the expected city for the stop, the receiving party and its address. Without registration, with a migration card you can legally stay for three days. If the document is lost, temporary registration for Ukrainians in Russia will not be possible.
