Russia

About Russia Citizenship and Residency

The Russian government announced its plan introduced a residency by investment program last November 2020. Draft legislation drawn up by the country’s Ministry of Economy suggests that investors will be able to gain Russian permanent residency rights in exchange for a minimum investment of 10 million rubles (approximately $130,000) into a Russian company formation on which creates at least 10 jobs. There will be several other investment options to choose from at a higher rate, including a real estate option requiring a minimum property purchase of 30 million rubles (approximately $400,000). Applicants will initially be granted a temporary residence permit and can apply for permanent residency after one year. Knowledge of the Russian language will also be required.

Russia does not have citizenship by investment program but it is possible to acquire Russian citizenship through a fast-track naturalization procedure which takes at least 3 years ( cannot be faster than this ).

Residence Permit by Investment Options 

These are the five ways in which one can get a residence permit in Russia. If you are willing to get the same and can invest your money, this is the easiest country to offer residence to foreigners.

1. Capital Investment: Investment in a company – if you are running a successful business, you are eligible to move to Russia and get a residence permit in 3 years. If it is a Russian company, the investor has to increase the capital by 15 million Rubles (US$200,000) and if it is a foreign company, the amount is to be increased by 50 million Rubles (US$660,000).
2. Entrepreneurs: Investment in a new business – you can also gain a residence permit in Russia if you’re about to start a new business. The only conditions are that you shall generate a taxable revenue of 10 million Rubles (US$130,000) every year for three years and you must hire at least 10 Russians as employees.
3. Investment in an existing business – if the investor wishes to invest in an existing business, he needs to invest at least 15 million Rubles (US$200,000) in a Russian company. The selection of the company must be done wisely. He does not have to become a shareholder of the company. That business shall be picked which has been in operation for at least 3 years, has paid taxes of at least 6 million Rubles (US$80,000) to the government, and provides employment to at least 25 persons.
4. Investment in Gold Bonds – If the investor doesn’t wish to enter any business, he can invest his money in government bonds and gain a Russian permit for residence. He should buy government bonds worth 30 million Rubles (US$400,000), hold the same for at least 3 years, and then he can apply for the permit.
5. Investment in Real Estate – the investors also have the option to invest in real estate if they wish to obtain a residence permit in the country. They must possess real estate with a total value of at least 30 million Rubles (US$400,000). They must have it for at least 3 years before applying for the residence permit.

Conditions

• No tax break or special benefits.
• Investors with permanent resident rights can exit and enter the country anytime, family members are also given residency rights.
• Must not spend more time outside Russia. If the investor spends more than one year abroad outside Russia, the permit may be revoked.

Benefits Of Russia Residency By Investment Program

• Russia is one of the most powerful world economies in the world, with vast natural resources and reserves of oil, energy, and steel.
• Russian residency is particularly attractive for many investors from neighboring CIS countries.
• Prices and demand for Russian real estate in recent years with consistent gains.
• Dual citizenship is legalized in Russia.
• Investment incentives such as no VAT and customs duty, for investments in the far east and special economic zones.
• Path to Russian citizenship after 3 years.

Russia Residency Requirements And Qualifications

Documents for obtaining Temporary Residence

• valid passport
• clear criminal record
• medical certificates
• negative HIV test

Documents for obtaining Permanent Residence

• valid passport
• proof of income and accommodation
• health insurance
• basic knowledge of the Russian language

Naturalization Requirements

• hold a valid residence permit
• living at least 5 years in Russia
• renunciation of foreign citizenship
• proof of income

Steps And Timeline

Step 1: Get the Invitation to Russia (Russian Visa Support) – start your Russia visa application by getting the invitation to travel to Russia. The invitation is the basement of your Russian visa application. It is also known as the visa support document. The type of invitation and its issue differ according to the purpose of your trip to Russia. Visa Support for business visits. This could be any of the following:

• An invitation from the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. You should ask your Russian business partner for this kind of invitation.
• An invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Your Russian business partner should request this type of invitation from the Ministry. The Ministry will then pass the invitation to the embassy in your country.
• An inviting letter from an organization based in Russia. The organization in Russia will issue this letter to you. The requirement is valid only for countries that signed visa facilitation agreements with Russia.

Step 2: Complete the Russian Visa online application form – after getting your Russian visa support, you can proceed with the other steps. The next step is completing the online Russian visa application form. It is available at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID).

Step 3: Collect the Russian Visa required documents – continue the Russian visa application by collecting the required documents for a Russian visa. The standard documents required for every visa are a printed application form, valid passport, a recent Russian visa photo, proof of residence, bank statements for the last three months, Visa support (invitation), and health insurance. You will also need to submit additional documents according to the purpose of your trip. Note that according to your nationality, you may have to submit extra documents as well.

Step 4: Apply in Person at Russian Consulate/Russian Visa Processing Center – you will need to submit the required documents at the Russian consulate or the visa center representing Russia for visa admission. If you will be submitting your application at the Consular section of the Russian Embassy, you should make a prior appointment. On the other hand, application centers accept walk-in applicants. So, an appointment is not compulsory. Most of the applicants are not required to attend an interview. Still, if the embassy estimates it is necessary, you may be invited for an interview upon the submission of your application.

Step 5: Pay the Russian Visa Fee – you will need to pay the fee for your visa at the consular sections. Most of the embassies accept only payments by bank cards. However, some others accept cash as well. You should check for this with the Russian embassy in your home country.

Step 6: Collect your Russian Visa – you will get a notification on your case after the Russian embassy decides on your application. If they grant you a visa, there will be a visa sticker on your passport. The sticker contains information on you, your visa, the period of permitted stay, and the inviter.

Step 7: Get the Russian immigration card – with the visa sticker on your passport, you can freely travel to Russia. Still, there remain some procedures you need to complete. Upon arrival at the Russian port of entry, the border police will issue you an immigration card. The card consists of two identical parts, both of which you need to fill in. The border police keep one part of the card. You should take the other one with you. Later, you will need to return this card to the border police, when you live.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass the guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and expedite your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Russia, assisting in getting you settled in the country, and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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