No general jus soli. Birth in Russia to two foreign or stateless parents permanently resident in Russia confers citizenship only where the child acquires no foreign citizenship by birth (art. 13(1)(5)); foundlings acquire citizenship if parentage is not established within six months (art. 13(3)). Ordinary nationality at birth follows the art. 13 parentage rules.
Under art. 16(2)(5) of 138-FZ, the simplified spousal track requires permanent residence in Russia (residence permit, irrespective of duration), marriage to a Russian citizen residing in Russia, AND a common child of the marriage (including adopted). The old 62-FZ “three years of marriage” waiver without a child no longer exists — marriage alone of any duration does not qualify.
Automatic citizenship by birth when both parents (or the sole parent) are Russian citizens, wherever born (art. 13(1)(1)). With one Russian and one foreign parent: the child is a citizen by birth if born in Russia (art. 13(1)(3)), or if born abroad only where the child acquired no foreign citizenship by birth (art. 13(1)(4)). Not unconditional single-parent jus sanguinis for mixed parentage births abroad.
Federal State Programme for the voluntary resettlement of compatriots: qualify as a compatriot (broad cultural/historical definition), join via a participating region, relocate, and use an accelerated settlement and citizenship track. Dual citizenship is generally tolerated. Region-linked obligations apply; the wider migration environment remains volatile.
Sources: Kremlin — State Programme for voluntary resettlement of compatriots
The general procedure under Federal Law 138-FZ (2023) requires five years of permanent residence counted from the day of the decision granting a residence permit (вид на жительство) until the application day, Russian-language proficiency, and knowledge of Russian history and the fundamentals of legislation, plus absence of statutory refusal grounds (art. 15). The prior “lawful source of income” condition from 62-FZ was not carried into 138-FZ. Grant is by the MVD (or territorial organ), discretionary.
Art. 16(2)(1)–(2) 138-FZ: persons permanently residing in Russia (irrespective of duration) who were born or permanently resided in the RSFSR as USSR citizens, or who have a direct ascending-line relative born or permanently resident in the RSFSR or on Russian Empire/USSR territory within Russia’s present borders, may apply without the five-year, language, and history/law requirements of art. 15. The separate “recognized native Russian speaker” (носитель русского языка) track of the prior law is not restated in the same form in 138-FZ — plan against the current art. 16 list, not legacy 62-FZ summaries.
Permanent residence permit (вид на жительство) for a foreign citizen or stateless person who has invested in the Russian Federation and meets one of the Government Decree No. 2573 criteria, issued without first obtaining a temporary residence permit (РВП). Four corridors, each alternative: (a) at least RUB 15 million invested in socially significant projects of subjects of the Russian Federation during the three years preceding the ВНЖ application; (b) registration of a Russian legal entity in listed forms (partnership, ООО, sole-founder АО, peasant farm, or economic partnership) that has conducted business for the two calendar years immediately before the application year and during the application year, with the applicant the sole participant of an АО/ООО at grant, and taxes plus social contributions of at least RUB 4 million annually; (c) at least RUB 30 million invested in a Russian legal entity that has conducted business in Russia for at least three years, with that entity paying at least RUB 6 million in taxes and social contributions in the calendar year immediately before the application year; (d) continuous ownership for one year before applying of Russian real estate of any purpose acquired at the construction stage or within two years of commissioning, with aggregate cadastral value of at least RUB 50 million in Moscow, RUB 20 million in subjects of the Far Eastern Federal District, or RUB 25 million in other subjects, free of rights restrictions and encumbrances during that holding year. Decree in force from 11 January 2023. Third-country sanctions, banking, and travel practice can block use of this path even where Russian law allows it.
Sources: Government of Russia — Decree No. 2573 of 31 December 2022 (investor ВНЖ criteria) · Official publication of Decree 2573 (pravo.gov.ru 0001202301040004) · Ministry of Economic Development — documents confirming investor ВНЖ criteria (updated 29 Sep 2023)
Where a licence connected to Russia can be exchanged, based on mapped official lists. Search every issuing country.
Licence issued in Russia
3 mapped destinationsExchange normally requires residence in the destination and replaces the original licence. The official authority still decides validity, deadlines, classes, and any extra checks.