Temporary residence permit
Temporary residence permit (TRP) is confirmation of a foreign citizen’s right to reside temporarily in the Russian Federation until they obtain a residence permit. It is a stamp placed in a foreign passport or another document identifying the foreign citizen.
There is also a temporary residence permit for educational purposes (TRE): this document allows a foreign national to reside, work, and study in the Russian Federation throughout their course of study and to remain in the Russian Federation for 180 days after completing their studies.
Validity period of the temporary residence permit is three years and cannot be extended.
Foreign nationals with a TRP cannot immediately apply for Russian citizenship, except for participants in the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots.
They must first obtain a residence permit, observing the established deadlines and conditions.
An application for a residence permit may be submitted no earlier than 8 months after the first year of residence on the basis of a TRP and no later than 4 months before the TRP expires.
If a foreign citizen has grounds to obtain a residence permit without going through the TRP stage (for example, birth in the RSFSR or other legal grounds), the specified period (8 months) does not apply.
What is the procedure for applying for a TRP?
The prepared documents and their copies are submitted together with the TRP application in person to the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration unit at the intended place of residence, or to a diplomatic mission or consular office of the Russian Federation in the country where the applicant resides. The process of obtaining a TRP is completed in Russia, even if the application is submitted at a consulate
A foreign citizen who receives notice that their application has been approved must contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration unit at their place of residence.
A foreign citizen’s temporary residence permit may be revoked only if there are compelling grounds for doing so.
The grounds for revoking a temporary residence permit are set out in Article 7 for a TRP and Article 7.1 for a TRE of Federal Law No. 115-FZ of 25.07.2002 “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation”.
Benefits of a TRP
The ability to live in Russia without having to leave the country and to work.
A TRP allows you to cross the border of the Russian Federation freely.
The ability to obtain a compulsory medical insurance (CMI) policy and receive medical care at clinics under the same conditions as everyone else.
Obtaining a taxpayer identification number (TIN).
The ability to start your own business by registering as an individual entrepreneur (IE).
Employment under an employment contract or civil-law contract.
No obligation to serve in the Russian armed forces.
Restrictions of a TRP
A TRP is valid only in the federal subject where it was issued.
Employment is permitted only in the region where the TRP was obtained.
The total period of stay outside the Russian Federation must not exceed 6 months in a calendar year. Exceptions include emergency medical treatment, serious illness or the death of a close relative who resided in a foreign country at the time of death, as well as cases where a foreign citizen is outside the Russian Federation due to work-related necessity. Violation of this condition may result in revocation of TRP status.
A TRP is valid for 3 years and cannot be extended.
You must report your place of residence and employment annually.
A compulsory medical insurance policy is valid for only 3 years.
It is not possible to obtain a bank loan.
A TRP does not entitle its holder to social benefits, including pensions.
If a TRP application is refused or the status is revoked, you may reapply no earlier than 12 months later!!!
After obtaining a TRP
Within 7 working days of receiving a TRP, you must register at your place of residence. If for any reason you cannot do so, you must register again for migration purposes;
Obtain a compulsory medical insurance (CMI) policy to receive medical care;
Certificate of registration of an individual insurance account number (SNILS): this document is required for registration in the pension insurance system;
Obtain a taxpayer identification number (TIN) to simplify tax administration;
At the end of each year of residence, send a notification of your residence under the TRP to the migration authorities within 2 months. The notification must include information about your income for the previous year;
Temporary residence permit for educational purposes (TRE)
Documents must be submitted in person to the migration unit or through the Gosuslugi portal in the territory where the studies take place.
Advantages of the temporary residence permit for education (TRPE)
A foreign national may reside in the Russian Federation without leaving the country for the entire validity period of the TRPE.
With a TRPE, a foreign national is entitled to free medical care under the compulsory health insurance system.
The TRPE is issued for the duration of the study program and remains valid for 180 calendar days after the end of the study period. A stamp confirming the issuance of a temporary residence permit for education is placed in the passport.
With a TRPE, you can study and work in the Russian Federation.
There is no requirement to submit an annual notification.
Restrictions on the TRPE
The TRPE is valid only in the region where it was issued.
A foreign national may not be outside the Russian Federation for more than six months in total during a calendar year, except where they are unable to leave a foreign country due to circumstances related to the need for emergency medical treatment, a serious illness of that foreign national, or the death of their close relative who was residing in a foreign country at the time of death, as well as where the foreign national is outside the Russian Federation for work-related reasons;
If a student switches from full-time to part-time study, the TRPE is annulled;
If you study and work, the employment contract must be terminated upon expiry of the TRPE;
Repeated administrative liability (2 or more times) within one year is grounds for revoking the TRPE;
An application for a residence permit may be submitted only after completing the studies;
For the exam in Russian language, history, and the fundamentals of Russian Federation legislation, you must bring:
an application form, completed at the exam venue;
the original identity document (passport, residence permit, refugee certificate), a copy of it (the page with the photograph), and its translation, or the first page of the residence permit;
a payment receipt (payment is made on site);
a blue-ink pen.
