Here is the whole application process, which I recently completed.
While you might complete it by yourself, it would be a monumental task even for a Russian speaking person, and you risk to waste days on it. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to hire a local facilitator. With mine I completed the whole process in one day, while others say that you need at least one week.
1. Visa Requirement
To apply for this type of residence permit, you must enter Russia with a specific visa designed for this purpose. A regular tourist or business visa will not work.
2. Documents to Prepare
Before arriving in Russia, you need to gather and prepare the following:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Police clearance certificate from your country of
citizenship
- Police clearance certificate from the country of residence (if different from your citizenship)
- Photocopies of all pages of your passport
Once you have these, send scanned copies to a translation service in Russia. Only translations made in Russia are accepted by the authorities; foreign translations are not valid.
Important: being originals of all documents with you.
You also need 4 photos 3.5x4.5 cm, matte finish, white background. Shiny photos or light grey backgrounds will be rejected.
3. Upon Arrival in Russia
At the airport, you will receive an
immigration paper: keep it safe, you’ll need it for document submission.
Get a Russian SIM card as you need a local number for the application process.
Undergo medical tests at an approved lab (I went to Leninskiy Prospect 17):
You must register your presence at a residential address (apartment or house) in the city where you plan to live and work. This is mandatory for the residence permit application.
If you rent, it might be difficult to obtain such registration as the owner’s cooperation is required and for some reason (long story) most owners don’t like to do that, even if it’s obligatory.
4. Submitting Your Documents
The process takes place at the immigration department for your place of registration.
Here is the step-by-step breakdown:
1. Initial document check. Bring all your documents (translations, filled-in forms, medical results). If something is missing, they will tell you.
2. Pay fees. Expect to pay 16,500 rub + 1,920 rub (actual fees may change).
3. Preliminary review. Another office will double-check everything and provide the date and time for formal submission.
4. Document submission. When your turn comes, police officers will review your application in detail. They may ask you questions like:
What are your plans for life and work in Russia?
What traditional Russian values are important to you?
5. Fingerprinting. Once cleared, you go to another office for fingerprints.
6. Final database check. A more thorough fingerprinting and background check will be conducted to ensure you have no criminal records.
7. Final submission & confirmation. Return to the previous office, sign a few documents, and receive a confirmation paper stating that your application has been submitted.
5. Waiting for Approval
The review process takes up to 4 months. If everything is in order, you will receive a phone call.
