For a list of Russian embassies and consulates worldwide, visit https://www. russianembassy. net/. The consulate may accept application materials via email or mail. Ask a worker there about the procedure for submitting the materials.
If you’re moving to Russia for work and already have a job lined up, then your employer can serve as your sponsor. Sponsors can also be travel agencies or hotels for long-term travelers. Since you’re planning on moving to Russia, this probably doesn’t apply to you.
For a temporary residence permit, you’ll need a passport photo, identification like a passport from your home country and state-issued ID card, a document confirming that you have no criminal history, a health report indicating that you have no communicable diseases, and a certificate of competency in the Russian language. You may also have to submit financial information like bank statements and proof of income. Priority is usually given to foreign citizens who own property in Russia or have large deposits in Russian banks. [4] X Research source If you have a criminal record, speak with an immigration lawyer to see how you might be able to get around this rule.
Start studying well in advance of the date you want to move. Failing the language exam can ruin your entire plan for moving to Russia, so don’t risk it. If you totally immerse yourself in the language and spend several hours each day on it, then you can achieve competency in about 3 months. More realistically, it will take you at least 1 year of careful study. If you already know some Russian, then you might only need some refreshing instead of many hours of study. This depends on your competency level. There are many language classes or software you can use to improve your Russian skills. Also try to find a Russian TV station near you and watch it as much as you can. If you have Russian neighbors or friends, ask them to practice with you. Russia grades language competency from A to C, with A indicating introductory knowledge and C indicating near-fluency. The B level is between those two levels.
There is a demand for skilled workers like IT professionals and engineers in Russia. You’ll have a better chance of finding work as a foreigner in skilled sectors like these. Teaching your native language is another route to find a job. English-speakers can usually find teaching jobs if they’re proficient in Russian. Businesses may also want foreigners to work as translators. There are several job sites to help with your job search. General sites like Indeed and Monster have international postings, so set the filter to Russia to narrow your search. Also, search on Russian websites or the web pages of businesses you’d like to work for.
Like many other areas, renting in city centers is more expensive than renting further out in the suburbs. Immigrants from the US or Western Europe, however, may find the housing relatively cheap. A 1-bedroom apartment in the center of Moscow could rent for about $1,000 per month, much cheaper than expensive American cities. If you’re going to live with your sponsor, they must indicate this on their invitation for you.
Tell the consulate staff that you intend to move to Russia permanently. This will allow them to prepare the necessary forms and applications to walk you through the process.
The invitation should be explicit about the nature of your visit to Russia. In this case, since you intend to move to the country, the invitation should state that you’ll be living in Russia full time and starting the process for permanent residency. The sponsor must indicate where you’ll be staying in Russia. You cannot move or stay in a different location without permission.
All of the paperwork you’ll have to sign will be in Russian. This is one way the consulate tests your competency in the language. Entry visas may take several weeks to process. In the meantime, pack and make all the necessary preparations to make your move.
Major shipping companies like UPS or FedEx ship to Russia, so these may be your best options. If you’re in the US, the US Postal Service also ships to Russia, but there are restrictions on the size of the packages.
Keep the migration card on you at all times until you receive your residency permit. If you lose it, contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Russia within 3 days to avoid a fine. There is a chance that you’ll be denied entry into Russia at this point. Conditions for denied entry are missing paperwork, or inconsistencies in the information you’ve provided. Make sure to travel with all your paperwork and fill every form out correctly.
You’ll need to submit the same identification paperwork that you submitted for your entry visa, so bring all this with you. Residence visas can take up to 6 months to process. Remember that when you receive a temporary residency permit, you’re only allowed to work in the region of Russia that you reside in.
The work permit you receive only pertains to your current job. If you switch jobs, your new employer has to submit a request for a new work permit. Russia keeps quotas on the number of foreign nationals allowed to work in the country. If the quota is met for the year, you won’t be able to work until you have your residence permit. Many businesses don’t want to go through the hassle of hiring a foreign national unless you’re a skilled worker, so be prepared to wait until you have your residence permit to start working. Some people begin working without a work permit and before their residence visa processes, but this is illegal. You could face fines and deportation if you break the law.
With a permanent resident visa, you can gain access to Russian social services, enter and leave the country without a visa, work in all parts of Russia, and vote in Russian elections. Apply for permanent residence at least 6 months before your temporary visa expires. The permanent resident permit lasts for 5 years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times. Always apply for renewal at least 2 months in advance of the expiration date to avoid legal problems.
To qualify for citizenship, you cannot live outside Russia for longer than 3 months at a time in the previous 5-year period. Some people choose to remain permanent residents rather than becoming citizens. Consider the pros and cons to decide which option is best for you.
