In case they travel to the Russian Federation as tourists or visiting friends and relatives during several days, they need regular tourist visas for foreigners. But in case you want to reside and/or work, study, or conduct business, you are required to obtain a residence permit in Russia. Here we will briefly look at what it is, how to obtain one, what documents are required for this permit, what are the possible reasons for refusals.

Document package to obtain a temporary residence permit in the Russian Federation

To make an application, you must provide the following package of documents *:

• Passport or ID of a foreigner (color copies)
• A document providing the reason to stay in Russia (for example, documents on student enrollment in a local university)
• medical certificates (following the standard scheme)
• documents confirming the absence of criminal records in a native country for a foreigner
• confirmation of free Russian language speaking (exams), in some cases history and the legal basis.
• notification of residing in the country
• Confirmation of income, or sufficient funds for the person and his / her family members (if any).

* Sometimes local authorities may require some other additional documents at their discretion.

When you collect the document set, foreigners provide the package to the Russian migration service.

Getting a temporary residence permit in Russia

In some particular cases, foreigners receive the permit under a special quota. Thus if you:

• were born in Russia during the Soviet era;
• your parents / children or spouse have RF passport;
• have a work permit or work visa;
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• have been working in Russia for 6 months in one of the positions from the special list;
• received an honors degree from a Russian state university.

then you can obtain a Russia residence permit according to a simplified scheme. After that, the government service will review your request for two to four months.