Russia is one of the most attractive emigration destinations for people who speak Russian fluently. One of the countries where the procedure for obtaining official documents can be simplified is the Republic of Belarus.
If you need to move to a permanent place of residence on the territory of the Russian Federation, it is important to prepare in advance and find out how a Belarusian can obtain Russian citizenship. This process can take varying amounts of time and have many nuances depending on the specifics of the situation and the status of the applicant.
Migration legislation of the Russian Federation
According to current legislation, all foreigners located on the territory of the Russian Federation are required to register at the nearest branch of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Moreover, for Belarusians this period is longer than for others and is a month, while most foreign citizens must apply within a week.
It is also worth noting that citizens of the Republic of Belarus do not have to obtain a visa and have the right to free movement between the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, changing their location. However, without citizenship and grounds for extension, the total period of stay in Russia should not exceed 90 days. Next, it will be possible to obtain a residence permit, and later, a citizen of Belarus can obtain Russian citizenship.
Features of the stay of citizens of the Republic of Belarus on the territory of the Russian Federation
Belarusians living in Russia enjoy most favored nation treatment. They do not need to apply for a visa or fill out a migration card to enter the territory of the Russian Federation. If a guest from the Republic of Belarus comes to Russia for less than 30 days, he does not need to register for migration.
Before we touch on the issue of how a Belarusian can accept Russian citizenship, we will figure out how to avoid bureaucratic red tape when registering a stay in Russia.
So, in order for a citizen of Belarus not to go through the registration procedure, it is necessary to present evidence that he will leave the territory of the Russian Federation within 30 days.
Confirmation can be a return plane or train ticket, and in the case of traveling in your own car, a verbal statement is sufficient. Please note that registering a Belarusian who intends to stay for more than 30 days with migration registration at the place of stay is considered the responsibility of the receiving party.
Advantages of Russian citizenship for Belarusians
Current Russian citizenship for Belarusians has several advantages. The main one, of course, is the possibility of presence on the territory of the state without the need to register with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as comply with any deadlines.
In addition, there is an advantage when applying for a job, despite the legislative permission to work and without Russian documents. Obtaining citizenship will allow you to enjoy all the benefits and other privileges that are not available to foreigners in Russia.
Grounds for obtaining Russian citizenship
In order to obtain Russian citizenship, Belarusians can use several grounds:
- family reunion;
- marriage;
- doing business and investing in the country’s economy;
- acquisition of real estate.
Moreover, in order to receive papers according to the general scheme, a citizen must have lived on Russian territory for at least five years.
Family reunion
Any citizen of Belarus has the right to receive a Russian passport if his close relatives with official status live in the country. These include:
- children, mothers and fathers;
- brothers and sisters;
- grandparents.
To obtain documents, the Russian side must provide an official invitation for a foreigner with a guarantee for the period of his residence until the receipt of a passport.
Citizenship for married people
Marriage is one of the most common options for obtaining Russian citizenship. In this case, unlike other methods, a person can retain his Belarusian passport. To do this, you need to notify the migration service about dual citizenship within 2 months from the date of registration of the relationship.
Doing business and investing
If there is a successful business, a citizen of Belarus has the right to open its branch in Russia. At the same time, he has the opportunity to acquire citizenship within 3 years from the moment of transition to the Russian market. In order for the scheme to work, the applicant only needs to prove that his business can generate at least 10 million rubles in profit over a three-year period.
If necessary, you can not register a Belarusian business, but buy an already existing company. In this case, the condition of up to 10 million remains, and the verification period is also 3 years.
Purchase of real estate
Belarusians have a legislative opportunity to purchase real estate on the territory of the Russian Federation. However, such a decision cannot in any way contribute to the acceleration of obtaining citizenship.
This is due to the fact that Russia is not one of the states that provides identification documents on the basis of ownership of land or other types of real estate. An exception may be the purchase of premises for commercial use worth more than 10 million rubles. Such a step can be considered as an investment in the state economy.
Restoration of citizenship
If a person living in Belarus has lost Russian citizenship, then he has the right to have it restored. Moreover, this rule works in both directions. This means that not only former Russians, but also Belarusians can return documents. It is enough to provide the relevant documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a diplomatic mission.
Who has the right to a Russian passport?
Russian citizenship is available to a citizen of any country (including the Republic of Belarus) if he meets the necessary criteria and does not pose a threat to the security of the state. The requirements that the applicant must meet are the following:
- availability of sufficient grounds for obtaining Russian citizenship;
- reaching adulthood;
- ability to work. This condition exists as insurance against the fact that a new Russian citizen, immediately upon receiving a passport, does not “sit on the neck” of the state budget with the need to pay social assistance;
- recognition of the Constitution of the Russian Federation;
- sufficient knowledge of the Russian language;
- a legal source of income that can provide a normal life for an immigrant and his relatives who are financially dependent on him;
- renunciation of previous citizenship in favor of Russian citizenship.
Citizens of the Republic of Belarus can obtain a Russian passport quite quickly
Civil servants of Belarus, including military, police and state security officers, will not be able to obtain Russian citizenship. They will be able to apply for a Russian passport only after leaving government service. Also, citizenship is not available to persons with an outstanding criminal record and those under investigation. For those Belarusians whose state of health at the moment may pose a threat to Russian society, the path to a passport with a double-headed eagle is also closed (we are talking about patients with AIDS, open form of tuberculosis, drug addiction and some other socially dangerous diseases).
Simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for Belarusians
It is worth noting that for citizens of Belarus there is a simplified system for obtaining Russian citizenship. When using it, you can obtain official status in just 3-4 months. Let's consider its features.
Who can obtain citizenship in a simplified manner
Any person with Belarusian citizenship can take advantage of the simplified procedure for obtaining it. In this case, during the preparation of documents, a RR series passport is provided.
A distinctive feature of the paper is the fact that the person who received such a passport will have to move to Russia for permanent residence. If a citizen plans to live in two countries, then he needs to use a passport of the Republic of Belarus, to which the simplified rules do not apply.
Program to assist the resettlement of compatriots
Since 2006, a program has been operating in Russia to facilitate the resettlement of potential compatriots. Its essence lies in the possibility of obtaining citizenship for persons belonging to:
- residents of the lands of the former Empire;
- immigrants from the republics of the USSR.
All capable citizens who have reached the age of majority, with the exception of pensioners, can obtain citizenship under this repatriation program.
How to get advice on immigration law?
In recent years, legislation has been constantly changing. To obtain reliable information on current legal norms in the field of migration, you need to contact specialists. Our center employs experienced lawyers on migration issues. They will advise you, help you fill out the application form, fill out the documents correctly and provide turnkey support at all stages. For advice on migration law issues, make an appointment with a lawyer by phone: +7 (495) 771 50-41. Get advice on the laws of the Russian Federation in the office or by email.
Please note: our center operates in strict accordance with current legislation. We do not sell medical certificates, queues, coupons to foreigners, do not falsify documents, do not issue fictitious registrations, do not register fictitious marriages, etc. We help foreigners only using legal methods. Become Russians legally! We will help you live and work in Russia legally. There are special conditions and discounts for residents of the Republic of Belarus! Find out about promotions and additional discounts!
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Stages of obtaining Russian citizenship
The procedure consists of several stages:
- The applicant crosses the Russian border. When passing through it, he receives a visa document. In the future, he will confirm the legality of the applicant’s stay in the country.
- Registration by the applicant of his own arrival. Within a week after crossing the border, a person must submit an application to the Federal Migration Service (GUVM MIA) to notify of his own arrival.
- Registration of RVP. This document confirms the legality of the applicant’s presence in the territory of a foreign state for a long time. Permission is also issued through the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Along with it, you must also obtain a local registration. When crossing the border with minor children, they must be included in the application.
- Registration of residence permit. This is the penultimate stage of the procedure for obtaining citizenship. A residence permit allows you not only to legally reside in the Russian Federation, but also to officially find employment.
- Obtaining citizenship.
At the last stage, the applicant prepares a package of necessary documents and obtains Russian citizenship.
The procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship by Belarusians
Persons from the Republic of Belarus can obtain citizenship both in the general manner and under simplified rules. The procedures in these cases vary in duration. In the case of a simplified procedure, the applicant is exempt from the need to reside on Russian territory for 5 years.
Where to apply and list of documents
To be granted Russian citizenship, you need to prepare the following documents:
- statement;
- 4 photos;
- identification paper;
- receipt of payment of state duty;
- a document confirming the availability of income, 2NDFL - for citizens working in Russia;
- education paper.
When going through the simplified citizenship procedure, the applicant must provide papers confirming this right.
Terms and cost of registration
The decision on admission to citizenship is made within 3-4 months. In some cases, it is possible to extend the registration period to six months. The procedure is preceded by the payment of a fee, the amount of which is 3,500 rubles. Information on what details to transfer the payment can be found in the migration service department.
How to check citizenship readiness
You can check the readiness of the required document on the official website of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. To do this, just go to the portal and fill out the request form. You will need to enter information such as date of birth, region of submission of the request and document number from the Federal Migration Service.
Refusal to issue Russian citizenship
Refusal to issue a document can be given for various reasons:
- the applicant submitted false documents or provided incorrect information about himself;
- the package of documents submitted by the person does not correspond to what is required;
- within 5 years before submitting the application, the citizen has already been expelled from the country;
- the applicant forcibly wants to change the foundations of the country’s constitutional system;
- the person has an unexpunged criminal record and must serve a court sentence;
- the applicant is a military serviceman or law enforcement officer in his home country;
- the applicant is being prosecuted in accordance with the criminal procedure.
However, there is always the possibility of filing an appeal within the period established by law. To increase the likelihood of obtaining official documents, it is also recommended to hire an experienced lawyer.
Restoration of citizenship
To restore lost citizenship, the main condition is its presence in the past. The applicant must apply to the diplomatic mission of Russia in the Republic of Belarus or already on Russian territory to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. To do this, he needs to submit a petition along with a standard package of documents, adding to it documentary evidence of Russian citizenship in the past and the reasons for its loss. The consideration of the application for return to citizenship takes place within a year.
He spent his entire childhood and youth in Belarus.
I've been in St. Petersburg for 5 and a half years now. In Russia they say “Petersburg”, “Moscow”, but if you go deeper... In the outback I saw cities (I went on tour in the Leningrad region), where people really had never been to concerts, had never heard a symphony orchestra and, of course, the standard of living they leave much to be desired. In small towns, where funds are allocated in smaller quantities, there is a problem of poor housing conditions, poor condition, and sometimes the absence of roads, dirt. It is difficult to develop culturally in such conditions. Sergey Nikolin, student of the St. Petersburg Conservatory https://ru-open.livejournal.com/153793.html
Do Belarusians need to take a Russian language exam and undergo a medical examination?
The Russian language exam is mandatory for many foreigners. However, this rule does not apply to Belarusians. This is due to the fact that in this country, at the legislative level, Russian has the status of an official language.
But you should definitely undergo a medical examination. To do this, just contact a clinic accredited by the State Administration for Migration. When completing the procedures, a fee will be charged, the amount of which for an adult will be 2.9 thousand rubles, and for a child - 2.5 thousand rubles. Based on the results of the examination, the citizen will receive a certificate, which must be attached to the general package of documents.
Procedure for submitting documents
Use the following scheme when submitting documents:
- Register at your place of residence. Despite the fact that up to 90 days are given for this, documents will not be accepted without registration.
- Collect a complete package of documents.
- Fill out the form based on the collected documents.
- Contact the relevant migration service (GUVM MIA), for Moscow residents this is the Sakharovo migration center. At the IMC Sakharovo, you must issue a coupon for submitting documents. The queue can reach several months, plan your trips in advance.
- Submit documents in accordance with the registration made or on a first-come, first-served basis (if provided in the relevant region).
Citizenship for minors, pensioners and disabled people
Minors aged 14 to 18 years have the right to obtain citizenship. In this case, it is enough for them to provide written consent to change permanent residence. Despite this, the right to provide documents remains with the child’s parents.
Both relatives must be present during the transfer of papers. In the absence of one of them, the second is obliged to provide a written explanation of the reason for this combination of circumstances.
The procedure for registering pensioners on the territory of the Russian Federation can be performed either according to a general or simplified scheme. The only difference here will be the need to provide documents from the pension fund. In this case, the Russian organization will be able to correctly calculate the amount of payments for the future citizen.
Disabled people will also need to provide documents on social benefits. In addition, it is necessary to indicate the exact diagnosis and attach a certificate of disability. In some cases, it may be necessary to indicate the persons who will provide care for the disabled person in the Russian Federation.
Dual citizenship of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus
Not all Belarusians strive to obtain full citizenship of the Russian Federation, looking for ways to maintain their place of residence in the Republic of Belarus. However, according to Russian legislation, this is impossible. This is due to the fact that the countries have not concluded an agreement on the possibility of simultaneous registration in the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.
However, there are loopholes that people take advantage of whenever possible. But if dual citizenship is revealed, a person may face liability under Article 320.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The exception is people who are married and their children. In this case, after painting, it is enough to notify the migration services.
Responsibility
Russian legislation provides for administrative and criminal liability for violating the notification period or failure to notify the migration control body of the Russian Federation about obtaining a second citizenship.
In case of violation of the notification period, an administrative penalty is imposed on the citizen in the form of a fine in the amount of 500 to 1000 rubles (Article 19.8.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). Such notification must be sent within 6 days after receiving a second citizenship or residence permit in a foreign country.
The notification is sent to the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at the place of registration of the citizen. The notification must be accompanied by:
- a copy of a foreign passport;
- a copy of the Russian Federation passport or other identification document;
- a copy of the power of attorney, notarized, if the notification is submitted by an authorized representative of the citizen.
The notice may be given in person, through a representative, or by mail.
If a citizen decides not to notify the migration control authority about receiving a second passport, the punishment in this case will be more severe - up to 400 hours of compulsory labor or a serious fine of 200 thousand rubles (Article 330.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Renunciation of citizenship of the Republic of Belarus
Both the simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship and the standard scheme provide for a procedure for renouncing documents from the Republic of Belarus. To do this, you should contact the authorities with a corresponding application.
At the same time, documents for renunciation of citizenship can be provided both on the territory of another state and in Belarus itself. In the first case, you will need to contact the representative office of the republic, while in the second you can use the services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Deadlines
The period for consideration of an application for citizenship in Russia is at least 6 months. In Belarus, verification of the submitted documentation is required; it is reviewed within a year.
Expert opinion
Before applying for Belarusian citizenship, you should carefully read the rules for staying in the country. Violation of the migration regime before the act of issuing a new passport is adopted may result in refusal to issue an identity card. The authorities are quite strict about compliance with formalities. At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of “dual citizenship” and “second citizenship”, since the consequences and acquisition procedure differ significantly.
Ivanchenko R.N., expert on migration issues of Belarus
What to do if leaving the Republic of Belarus is prohibited
In some situations, Belarusians are prohibited from leaving their own country, which they may not even be aware of. This could be due to many factors:
- access to information considered as state secret;
- the presence of criminal prosecution or involvement in other legal proceedings;
- presence of debts to the state;
- bankruptcy of an organization owned by a person;
- evasion of military duties.
In addition, there are situations when leaving the country is limited by decision of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus.
If it is not possible to leave, the citizen will not be able to obtain a Russian passport. Therefore, before submitting documents, it is recommended to clarify this issue in advance and exclude possible reasons for the travel ban.
What mistakes should you avoid to get your passport quickly?
In order for the procedure to be successful, it is not enough to know how a Belarusian can obtain Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. In addition, it is necessary to avoid some mistakes that can lead to refusal by government agencies:
- Errors in documents. The presence of incorrectly completed papers can lead to a refusal to provide the opportunity to obtain a Russian passport and renunciation of citizenship of the Republic of Belarus.
- Deadlines. It is important to comply with all deadlines, otherwise the procedure will have to start all over again.
- Possibility of departure. Before starting the paperwork, it is recommended to contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs in advance to clarify the possibility of traveling outside Belarus.
Compliance with these rules will allow you to avoid the most common mistakes and quickly obtain Russian identification documents.
Can citizenship be denied?
Refusal to change status is possible for the following reasons:
- reporting knowingly false information, submitting false or invalid documents;
- typos, incorrect translation in forms;
- lack of a notary signature;
- during the previous 5 years, the citizen was convicted of implementing measures to change the constitutional system of the Russian Federation, or he was already expelled from Russia;
- if in the republic a citizen has an outstanding criminal record and he is obliged to serve his sentence;
- if a Belarusian is a military man.
If citizenship is denied, an appeal is possible. To correctly draw up the document, as well as for the subsequent procedure for obtaining citizenship, it is better to invite an experienced lawyer.
