PRP

What is a VNZ?

A Permanent Residence Permit (VNZ) is a document that grants a foreign citizen the right to reside permanently in the territory of the Russian Federation.
The main advantage of the VNZ is that it is issued without a time limit (indefinitely).

Rights of a VNZ holder and grounds for obtaining a VNZ

With a VNZ, you have the right to:

Reside permanently in Russia without any time restrictions

Work legally in any region of Russia without the need for a work permit or patent

Obtain a compulsory medical insurance (ОМS) policy and receive free medical care in state institutions

Register as an individual entrepreneur (IE)

Apply for Russian citizenship (subject to meeting the requirements)

You can apply for a VNZ on various grounds, including simplified procedures.
The main grounds include:

General procedure: Having a Temporary Residence Permit (RVP) and residing in Russia with it for at least 8 months

Marriage with a Russian citizen (registered at least 3 years ago) or having a common child

Graduation from an accredited Russian university with honors

Being a citizen of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (under the EAEU treaty), or other CIS countries (under international agreements)

Having close relatives (parents, children, siblings) who are Russian citizens

Being a highly qualified specialist or a family member of one

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a VNZ

Determine your eligibility

Check if you qualify for a VNZ, especially under simplified procedures. This will affect the list of required documents

Collect the required documents

Application form (two copies). Available at the Multifunctional Migration Center (MMC), the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), or online via the Gosuslugi portal
A valid national passport and a notarized translation into Russian (if there are no Russian entries in the passport)
Four (4) photographs, size 35x45 mm
Certificate of knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, and basics of Russian law. Issued after passing an exam at an accredited university (fee approx. 5,900 ₽). Exemptions apply for holders of USSR or Russian school certificates
Proof of legal income (Form 2-NDFL, bank statement, or Form 3-NDFL tax declaration). Income must not be lower than the subsistence minimum

Receipt of state fee payment (6,000 ₽ in 2025). Payment can be made in a bank or via Gosuslugi
Medical certificates confirming the absence of dangerous infectious diseases (HIV, tuberculosis, drug addiction, etc.)
Certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship. Not required for most CIS citizens (except Turkmenistan) and for RVP holders
For simplified procedures, additional documents may be required (marriage certificate, diploma, birth certificate, etc.). Always confirm the full list in advance with the MIA or MMC

Submit your documents

Submit the complete set of documents in person:

At the Migration Department of the MIA in your region.
At the Multifunctional Migration Center (MMC), e.g., in Moscow — MMC “Sakharovo.”

Wait for the decision

The review period for a VNZ application is up to 4 months (6 months for citizens of some EAEU countries)

Register your place of residence

After obtaining a VNZ, you must register your residence address within 7 days.

Important obligations after obtaining a VNZ

A residence permit is issued indefinitely

Every year, a foreign citizen needs to contact the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to confirm the fact of residence in Russia with an appropriate notification.

Document renewal by age

Your VNZ must be replaced when you turn 14, 20, and 45 years old, to update your photo and data. You must apply for replacement within 1 month after your birthday

For the annual notification you will need

Completed notification form (Forma_uvedomleniya.doc)
Your passport with notarized translation
Permanent Residence Permit
Proof of income (or other financial support documents)

Annual notification

You must submit an annual confirmation of residence in Russia to the MIA. This can be done in person, by mail, or via Gosuslugi. Once every 5 years, the notification must be submitted in person

Failure to comply may result in:

A fine
of up to 7,000 ₽ for late submission of annual notification

Cancellation of your VNZ
if you fail to submit notifications for 2 consecutive years

Possible reasons for refusal

The main reasons for refusal to issue a VNZ include:

Two or more administrative offenses within the last year

Insufficient income (below the subsistence minimum)

An unexpunged conviction for a serious crime

Submission of false or forged information or documents

What to do in case of refusal?

If your application is denied, you may reapply only after 1 year, unless otherwise provided by law. You must first eliminate all the reasons that led to the refusal.