Passport of the Russian Federation

The passport of the Russian Federation is the main document for the identification of a citizen on the territory of the country. A foreign passport is issued for identification on international trips.

It is issued to citizens upon reaching the age of 14. The document is replaced at the age of 20 and 45, or when the owner's personal data is changed. The passport has a single sample and must be filled in in Russian. The cover of the document is maroon with the coat of arms of Russia applied.

It contains information about gender, surname, first name, patronymic, date and place of birth of the owner. Additional pages contain information about the place of residence, military duty, marital status, and the presence of children. For subjects that are part of the Federation, it is allowed to produce inserts in the national language of the republic.

The Russian passport provides a number of advantages, including:

• Free medical care and education.
• The right to work in any organization without obtaining additional permits.
• More than 90 visa-free destinations.
• Tax residency with an income tax of 13%.
• The opportunity to apply for government positions.
• The right to vote in national and regional elections.

How do I get a passport of the Russian Federation?

The recipient of the Russian identity card can be citizens living in the country from the age of 14 and foreign persons who have received permanent resident status. For foreigners, the right to receive comes after living in the country with a residence permit for at least 5 years. After this period, you can apply for residency under the naturalization program.

Important

A residence permit is issued on the basis of State quotas, which can be used by certain categories of foreigners. To clarify the criteria and possibilities for obtaining it, please visit the official website of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Russian Federation.  

Despite the fact that for many foreigners a permanent residence permit allows them to receive many privileges, citizenship opens up access to public services, the right to conduct full-fledged commercial activities and participate in the political life of the country.

How to get foreigners?

Applications for permanent residence and a national identity card of Russia are accepted from citizens of any foreign country. However, special conditions may be imposed on certain categories and certain privileges may be granted.

Citizens of the former USSR who permanently resided in Russia on 02/06/1992 automatically received residence in the Russian Federation. For subjects of other former Soviet republics, grounds for obtaining status are provided in a simplified manner. The right applies to persons who had a USSR passport and moved to Russia before 11/01/2002. An important condition is the absence of citizenship or residence permit of another state. The program implies the absence of requirements for the minimum time of residence in the country, a valid residence permit and passing a language exam.

For citizens of other foreign countries (including Europeans), the general conditions for granting residency apply, the most accessible of which are naturalization or the right of origin. At the same time, there is a requirement to obtain a residence permit, a minimum period of residence in the country (from 5 years), passing a language test.

The Law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation

The procedural rules for the provision of passports and the civil legislation of the Russian Federation are based on several fundamental normative documents:

• The Constitution of the Russian Federation dated 12.12.1993. Changes were made on 07/01/2020.
• Federal Law No.138-FZ "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation"
• Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 828 dated 07/08/1997 "On approval of the Regulations on a citizen's passport". (with changes and additions)
• Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 232 dated 03/13/1997 "On the main document certifying the identity of a citizen of the Russian Federation".

The normative legal acts contain the main provisions for granting permanent residence, criteria for granting status, rules governing relations, and passport issuance processes.

Important

The Government of the Russian Federation is actively working to improve the policy of civil legislation, constantly applying new practices and putting into effect new amendments. Therefore, it is important to clarify the relevance of the provisions on the official website of the Russian Government.  

Passport documents

If all the requirements for the issuance of a national identity card are met, the candidate has the right to apply. Registration of the application is carried out at the place of permanent / temporary registration in the nearest branch of the Multifunctional Center "My Documents" or the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The standard package of personal documentation provided with the application includes:

• Application.
• A birth certificate.
• 2 recent passport-sized photos.
• A document confirming the status of a military serviceman (if applicable).

Additional features

A foreign citizen can register on the public services website and apply online.  

How much does a Russian Federation passport cost?

After completing the application, the identity card will be ready within 5 working days after the documents are accepted by the territorial department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If approved, the applicant receives a notification of the readiness of the passport and an invitation to receive it at the MFC department. In case of refusal, a reasoned decision is sent.

The registration procedure involves the payment of a state fee for the issuance or replacement of a passport in the amount of 300 rubles ($ 3). If you have to replace your ID card, the fee increases to 1,500 rubles ($16).