Putin signs new law on migrant residency

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law requiring foreign citizens to meet specific criteria for simplified access to temporary residence permits, particularly through marriage to Russian citizens. The newly approved regulation was published on Russia’s official legal documents portal.

Under the new law, foreign citizens may now only obtain a temporary residence permit outside of the usual quota or gain permanent residency through a simplified process after three years of marriage to a Russian citizen or after adopting a child. 

If a marriage is annulled by the court, any granted residency permit is revoked. Similarly, any temporary residence permits will be canceled if the court finds a marriage invalid. This provision also applies to foreign nationals who lose or have restricted parental rights.

The law also addresses cases of "false paternity" by setting stricter requirements for foreign parents of Russian children seeking residency. Foreign nationals cannot qualify for permanent residency based on parenthood alone unless they can demonstrate that they live with, financially support, and care for the child. Alternatively, they must show that the child has lived with either parent for at least three years.

The law will take effect 90 days after its publication. It was passed by the Russian State Duma on October 15 and approved by the Federation Council on October 23. According to Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, over 4,300 fake marriages have been registered in attempts to secure residency in Russia since 2021.

Additionally, starting in 2025, Moscow plans to introduce electronic identity cards for migrants, which will contain their comprehensive information.