Dual citizenship rights were enshrined in the Russian constitution over 25 years ago after the fall of the Soviet Union. This allowed the adoption of new legislation where Russian citizens and foreigners were given the chance to become citizens of Russia.
Becoming a Russian citizen is now easier than ever. President Vladimir Putin signed a new migration policy in 2018 that would be effective from 2019 to 2025. This new policy allows foreigners to acquire Russian citizenship without any stress at all.
Before we move on with our guide on dual citizenship in Russia, you might find these resources useful as well:
- Benefits of a Russian passport;
- Rights and freedom in Russia;
- Russian visa types;
- Must-see landmarks in Russia.
Migration policy for dual citizenship
According to Interior Ministry data, since President Vladimir Putin signed the new migration policy in 2018, more than 220,000 foreigners became registered as Russian citizens between January and August 2019.
Over 67% of the 220,000 citizens were dual citizens of Russia and their home country. This tells you how favorable the conditions are to become a citizen of Russia. The whole naturalization process has been made easy for foreigners that want to become Russian citizens.
Even better, you can still become hold dual citizen rights for both Russia and your home country. You don’t have to renounce your primary citizenship to apply for a Russian passport.
Russian citizenship was originally obtained by birth, the principle of Jus Sanguinis (right of blood). Today, there are millions of people living as dual citizens in Russia, with two or more passports. This is because Russia now permits dual citizenship.
This makes life so much easier because many countries rely on Russia for support, so they grant Russian citizens Visa-free travel. Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s see how you can acquire Russian citizenship?
How to apply for dual citizenship in Russia
Applying for Russian dual citizenship is easy. You’ll have to fill in the online application forms and upload the needed documents including a medical test that is taken from a Russian state clinic.
Once you’ve done that, you will also take an aptitude test that will test your proficiency in Russian. Russian Laws do not forbid second citizenship but any individual who obtains dual citizenship in Russia and does not present the declaration on foreign citizenship will be prosecuted by the Russian criminal law.
You should also know that dual citizenship can only be granted to foreigners whose countries signed a special international agreement with Russia. You can find out if you are eligible by contacting a Russian embassy in your country.
How to hold dual citizenship in Russia
The new constitutional reforms don’t prohibit dual citizenship in Russia. Dual citizenship in Russia is only restricted to government officials, judges, refugees, members of the Russian armed forces and law enforcement units. Other Russian citizens can obtain dual citizenship for Russia and other countries.
Dual citizenship for Russian citizens
As a Russian citizen, you can also obtain dual citizenship for the USA, Nigeria, UK, Ireland, Italy and other countries that allow dual citizenship. Having dual citizenship status in Russia does not derogate your rights, freedoms, and obligations of Russian citizens.
Right now, Russian citizens are acquiring dual nationality with other countries because they are afraid of economic and political instability. According to Article 62 of the 1993 Russian Constitution, a citizen of Russia can also be a citizen of a foreign state and even hold dual citizenship.
If you are Russian citizen, and you would like to enjoy dual citizenship benefits, you should look for other countries that allow the second citizenship rights like USA, Nigeria, UK, Spain, Algeria, Portugal, Italy, Australia, and others. You can apply as a citizen of the country using the procedures stated in their constitution.
Dual citizenship by marriage
As a foreigner, you can also become a citizen of Russia by marrying a legitimate citizen in Russia. This is one of the fastest ways to become a citizen of Russia. You just need a temporary residence permit (TRP) and a partner/spouse, who must be a Russian citizen.
You must be married to a citizen of the Russian Federation for at least 3 years before you can apply for dual citizenship in Russia using this simple process.
Dual citizenship by naturalization
This is a long way to have dual nationality rights in Russia as a foreigner. To apply for dual citizenship by naturalization, you’ll have to have stayed in Russia for at least 5 years before you can apply using this process.
This means you must possess a temporary residence permit (TRP). If you meet the following requirements, you may apply for second citizenship in Russia by naturalization:
- You must be a resident of Russia for at least 5 years;
- Promises lawful behavior;
- Legal source of income;
- Can speak the Russian language.
Dual Russian citizenship through investment
You can also obtain dual citizenship status in Russia by simply owning a business there. But the business ought to have reached certain standards by for you can be awarded citizenship right in Russia.
- For you to be a Russian citizen by investment, your business must have been active for at least 3 years before the year you file your application.
- You must have paid taxes and insurance to the Pension Fund worth at least 1 million Rubles during your business 3 years activity.
- You must have paid your yearly taxes and insurance which must be at least 6 million rubles per year.
So as you see, getting dual citizenship in Russia is not hard if you go about it the right way. You won’t spend much and the process is super easy. If you obtain dual citizenship in Russia by fraudulent means, you will be caught and prosecuted by the law.