Rights and Responsibilities of Foreigners with Russian Residency

Compared to foreigners coming to Russia on a visa (or without a visa at all, if the law allows it), Temporary or Permanent Residence Permit holders have many more rights. E. g., they both can:

- register and reside in any region of Russia;
- work without a work patent;
- freely enter and leave the country;
- become an individual entrepreneur;
- receive free medical care under the compulsory medical insurance certificate;
- pursue education in Russia;
- receive some social benefits;
- elect and be elected to local government bodies;
- participate in referendums, etc.

The rights of those having temporary or permanent residency are basically the same. Unlike Russian citizens, they do not serve in the army by conscription, do not vote in presidential elections, and so on. And important difference between a citizen of the Russian Federation and just residents is that after two offenses within a year, a foreigner may be removed (it is called «administrative removal») from the country and even banned from entering Russia for several years. This regards visa holders too.

What obligations do foreigners with Russian residency have?:

The two main points are that such a foreigner must stay in Russia at least 180 days a year (i .e., half a year) and must be able to support him/herself and his/her family in Russia within the subsistence level without state assistance, except if he/she is declared disabled. To prove this, a Russian resident must present his/her passport and proof of income to the Ministry of Internal Affairs every year; namely within 2 months after he/she got his/her Residence Permit. I. e., if the Permit was granted on the 15th of February, he/she needs to provide these documents till the 15th of April next year. And of course we do not recommend delaying, because officers accept by appointment only, and these papers must be submitted in person.

In addition to the above obligation, all non-citizens - both visa holders and residents - are required to register at their place of residence within 7 working days from the date of receipt of their residence permit or from the date of arrival at their place of residence.


Need legal help? Feel free to contact us:
Tel: +7 909 961-19-09
Email: legalsolutions@inbox.ru
Visit us: Moscow, Zubovskiy bulvar, building 4/1, office 308

You might also like the articles:

How to move to Russia?
Dos and Don'ts when in public in Russia
Free health care for foreigners in Russia