This page aims to provide an overview of multiple preferences that come with Russian citizenship, from access to free healthcare and social benefits to the ability to participate in elections. Having explored the advantages, you can also gain insights into formal steps and procedures awaiting those who choose to make Russia their home.
What are the advantages of being a Russian citizen?
- You can freely travel to countries with visa-free entry for Russian citizens.
- You can invite foreign citizens to Russia (the invitation is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and serves as the basis for obtaining a Russian visa).
- You can reside in Russia (a Russian citizen cannot be deported even for committing serious administrative offences).
- You can participate in the political life of Russia by voting in elections and running for public office.
- You can freely choose your employment and hold any position in line with your qualifications without the need for additional documents, such as a work permit or patent.
- You can freely conduct business in Russia (e.g., register as self-employed individual and use a special tax regime called Tax on Professional Income).
- You will get access to free medical care under the Mandatory Health Insurance (ОМС) policy.
- You will be eligible for social benefits and payments available to Russian citizens:
- Pension
- Temporary disability allowance
- Maternity leave and allowance
- Childcare leave and allowance
- Maternity capital: funds provided by the government upon childbirth for specific purposes (e.g., down payment or loan repayment for housing, children's education, contribution to the mother's pension)
- Government mortgage programmes that include loans at a reduced interest rate for buying a home
What should I do if I have received a positive decision on my citizenship application?
- Within 10 working days of receiving a positive decision on your citizenship application, schedule the oath ceremony at the territorial Ministry of Internal Affairs office at your place of residence.
- Within 30 calendar days after taking the oath, submit an application for an internal passport and required documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the My Documents Multifunctional Centre («Мои документы») at your place of residence. Normally, your passport will be ready within 5 working days.
Obtaining the internal passport is essential for exercising your civil rights in Russia.
- Upon receiving your internal passport, make sure to send a scanned copy of its main page to the Centre for International Faculty Support (ifaculty.support@hse.ru) and the HR Office (hrms@hse.ru) on the same day.
- Within 7 working days after receiving your internal passport, make sure to register at your permanent place of residence (место жительства), OR register at your temporary place of residence (место временного пребывания) within 90 calendar days after receiving the passport.
- For males aged between 18 and 50 years old: within 14 days of registration, visit a military commissariat (военкомат) at your place of residence to register and obtain a military ID.
- If you have a driver's license: within a year of receiving your internal passport, visit the traffic police department (ГИБДД) at your place of residence to exchange your international/national driver's license for a Russian license or to update a valid Russian driver's license in line with the new passport details.
- Contact the My Documents Multifunctional Centre («Мои документы») to update your passport data in the SNILS (СНИЛС). The SNILS number will remain the same.
- Contact the relevant office of the Federal Tax Service to update your details in the database. The previously issued INN (ИНН) does not need to be replaced.
- Contact the My Documents Multifunctional Centre («Мои документы») or an insurance company to apply for Mandatory Health Insurance (ОМС) policy or to replace your policy issued earlier based on a permanent/temporary residence permit (РВП/ВНЖ).
- Contact the banking institutions where you have active accounts to update your passport data.
- Contact the My Documents Multifunctional Centre («Мои документы») to apply for a travel passport.