Permanent and Temporary Residence Permit Rules to Change

At a Glance

The State Duma is currently evaluating a bill which would make significant changes to Permanent and Temporary Residence Permits for non-employment based immigrants, including that:

• Permanent Residence Permits (PRPs) would be granted for an indefinite duration, as opposed to the current five years;
• Additional categories of foreign nationals would be able to obtain a PRP without first obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP);
• Processing times would decrease for TRPs; and
• Residence requirements would become stricter for TRP and PRP holders.

The bill is expected to pass and will go into effect in the next few months.

The situation

There are significant proposed changes to Permanent Residence Permits (PRPs) and Temporary Residence Permits (TRPs) which are likely to go into effect 90 days from the date of passage, which is expected to occur in the next few months.

A closer look

• Indefinite duration of PRP. PRPs would be granted for an indefinite duration. Currently, PRPs are granted for a period of five years but can be renewed indefinitely.
  • Impact. Foreign nationals would only need to renew their PRPs at the ages of 14, 20 and 45 or if their personal data changes, for example, due to a name change from a marriage.
• Eligibility for PRP without TRP. Additional categories of foreign nationals, including qualified specialists who have worked in Russia for six months in certain positions, such as doctors, engineers, and technical professionals, would be able to obtain PRPs without first holding Temporary Residence Permits (TRPs), as is currently required.
  • Impact. Foreign nationals would be subject to fewer restrictions under a PRP. For example, PRP holders can work and live anywhere in Russia, whereas TRP holders can only live and work in the region where the TRP was requested.
• Reduced processing times for TRPs. Under the proposed law, processing times for TRPs for visa nationals would be reduced from six months to four months. Processing times for visa-exempt nationals will not change.
  • Impact. Foreign nationals would be able to obtain their TRPs earlier which would allow them to obtain a PRP, and all of the benefits that it confers, sooner.
• Stricter residence requirements. Holders of TRPs and PRPs would be required to reside in Russia for at least six months each year to maintain residency. The current rule is that TRP and PRP holders must not stay outside Russia for longer than six months continuously.
  • Impact. Affected foreign nationals may have to adjust their living arrangements in order to maintain residency in Russia or be willing to give up their residency.
• Unaffected foreign nationals. The following foreign nationals would not be affected by the new rules listed above on TRPs and PRPs:
  • Foreign nationals who have Russian work permits since they are not eligible for TRP or PRPs based on their employment status (with the exception of Highly Qualified Specialists). 
  • Highly Qualified Specialists are not affected unless they obtain a three-year PRP based on their work permit.

Background

The Duma is revising the permanent residence rules in order to encourage foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence in Russia, which offers the right to reside and work in Russia as well as the possibility to apply for Russian citizenship.

Looking ahead

The bill has been introduced in the State Duma and will likely pass without substantial changes. The law is expected to take effect 90 days after its date of passage. The Russian government is expected to continue to relax permanent and temporary residence rules in order to attract highly-skilled foreign nationals to the country. Fragomen will report on related developments.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to emea@fragomen.com.