Russia Eases Citizenship Requirements for International Graduates

President Vladimir Putin signed the relevant law.

The law cuts the period of seniority required to apply for Russian citizenship from three years to one for Russian universities international graduates.

Earlier, Residents of Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan must have physically lived in this country for three years before seeking citizenship. The residence requirement is no longer important; it is sufficient to have a residence permit. Proving a source of income is unnecessary if a foreigner is married to a Russian national with children in common, or if a foreigner’s parent has Russian citizenship and lives in Russia.

Unlike before, foreigners can now apply for Russian citizenship without renouncing their current one. The law comes into force 90 days after the publication, i.e. in late July 2020.