Citizenship for pensioners is an opportunity to receive a Russian pension and enjoy benefits in Russia. How to get it? Is there a simplified procedure for older people?
There are many elderly citizens in the former USSR republics who would like to move to Russia and receive a pension here. Some have children - citizens of the Russian Federation and grandchildren, some are single, but were born in Russia and want to spend their old age in their homeland. It doesn’t matter what motivates a pensioner who wants to become a Russian citizen. The important thing is how he can complete all the documents quickly and without problems.
What the 2021 legislation says
All issues of granting Russian citizenship are regulated by Federal Law No. 62. It does not provide for special conditions depending on the age of candidates for obtaining a Russian passport, but in some cases it allows you to go through the procedure in a simplified manner.
Citizenship of the Russian Federation is available in a short time to pensioners due to children, by right of birth or by belonging to native speakers of the Russian language. Any basis provides for special procedures and a set of necessary documents, but most applicants will not be able to avoid such mandatory steps as obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP) and residence permit (RP). In most cases, they are mandatory steps on the way to a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. Exceptions (those who receive a residence permit without a temporary residence permit) are named in paragraph 2 of Article 8 of Law 115-FZ - these are minor capable children of citizens of the Russian Federation, adult incompetent children, native speakers of the Russian language, highly qualified specialists and some other categories of foreigners. But retired parents who receive Russian citizenship for their children are not included in this list of exceptions.
Options for obtaining Russian citizenship from a Ukrainian pensioner
The easiest way is if they have a passport from the newly formed republics of the DPR and LPR. In this case, they immediately skip several stages; they do not need to obtain a temporary residence permit (TRP) or a residence permit (RP). After signing the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated April 24, 2019, the procedure takes 3-6 months. Until November 2019, tens of thousands of citizens of these republics, including those of retirement age, were granted Russian citizenship through it.
Other options for obtaining Russian citizenship by Ukrainian pensioners:
- As a native Russian speaker;
- Like being born in the USSR;
- Like being born in the RSFSR.
This is an incomplete list of programs that are available to Ukrainian pensioners for obtaining Russian citizenship. They can be valuable employees even after reaching this age, or they can be honored figures whose creativity or achievements are valuable for the Russian Federation.
A separate case is the acquisition of Russian citizenship by pensioner parents with children. A similar category of people who have retired and apply for a Russian passport in a simplified manner is if their loved ones are already citizens of Russia. This could be parents, spouses, siblings, or other relatives.
In other cases, they will have to undergo a general procedure. The only difference is that they will not need to pass an exam for Russian language proficiency or document it. Accordingly, even on a general basis, it is easier for pensioners to obtain Russian citizenship for the following reasons:
- The list of documents required to submit an application to the migration department is being reduced;
- There is no need to incur additional costs for translation and notarization of documents;
- There is no time investment required for the Russian language exam.
It is important to know! Pensioners who have reached the age of 65 for men and 60 for women do not need to confirm their knowledge of the Russian language.
Those who have directly encountered the process of obtaining Russian citizenship on a general basis believe that these features alone are a powerful advantage. However, the need for older people to go through all stages of the procedure negates these positive features.
Where to go
All issues related to the granting of Russian citizenship are in charge of the migration authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Geographically, they are located at each district police station and separately in the form of passport migration centers.
In the case of obtaining a Russian passport by citizens of Ukraine or the unrecognized republics of the LPR and DPR, it would be logical to directly apply to the Russian consulates and embassies located on the territory of these states. But in the DPR and LPR, official Russian diplomatic missions. there are no representative offices. And Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated April 24, 2019 No. 183 stipulates that persons permanently residing in the territories of certain districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine submit applications to the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Options for obtaining citizenship for pensioners
Since the procedure for obtaining a Russian passport has nothing to do with the age of the applicant, pensioners, like other foreigners, can become its owners:
- in the usual manner with obtaining a temporary residence permit and waiting at least 5 years for a residence permit;
- under the program for the return of compatriots, if they have USSR citizenship and were born or resided on the territory of the RSFSR;
- according to the Russian native speaker program, if you have USSR citizenship and pass the required exam;
- in connection with reunification with relatives living in Russia;
- as refugees or internally displaced persons;
- as citizens of the LPR and DPR according to the new decree of Vladimir Putin.
Typically, older people do not change their place of residence or country without good reason, and they most often move to live with their children. And the choice of method of obtaining it is obvious to them. But there are other situations. True, the procedure differs only for the accelerated and regular regime of document preparation, regardless of the basis.
For former citizens of the USSR
Clause “a” of Part 2 of Article 14 of the Federal Law No. 62 allows persons who were born in the RSFSR and previously had a Soviet passport to obtain Russian citizenship. Being born in other republics of the Soviet Union does not give such rights.
For spouses of Russian citizens
If a pensioner’s spouse is a Russian citizen or he is married to a Russian (this also happens), he has the right to receive a Russian passport much earlier than those who go through the procedure in the usual manner, and a citizenship pension is assigned to him in the standard manner. But to do this, you must have been married for at least 3 years, and the spouse must permanently reside in Russia. Registration of a temporary residence permit and temporary residence permit remains mandatory, except in the case of having common children - then a temporary residence permit is sufficient.
For WWII veterans
One of the fastest ways to obtain Russian citizenship is provided by law for veterans of the Great Patriotic War. They do not take an exam on knowledge of the Russian language, they have the right not to renounce their citizenship and not to obtain a residence permit.
For residents of the LPR and DPR
A passport from the unrecognized republics of Donbass allows you to become a Russian citizen very quickly and without additional conditions and documents. Today, if the question arises of how to obtain Russian citizenship for a Ukrainian pensioner, the answer is obvious - through a passport of the LPR or DPR. Such a document gives them the opportunity to arrange everything without a temporary residence permit or temporary residence permit and without being in Russia - directly on the territory of the unrecognized republics. The set of documents is minimal.
Such applicants do not need to formalize any exams or renunciations of Ukrainian citizenship.
Citizenship for pensioners with children
Adult children - citizens of the Russian Federation are able to help their parents become Russians in a simplified manner. But you will still have to issue a temporary residence permit, as well as confirm your knowledge of the Russian language. This is provided for in paragraph “c” of Part 2 of Article 14 62-FZ. This method of obtaining citizenship is available to residents of any country, and not just to the former Soviet republics.
Other options for obtaining Russian citizenship for foreign pensioners
If you have a son or daughter with a Russian passport, great. But what about those who don’t have Russian children? The legislation contains several other grounds that allow elderly migrants to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation.
Option No. 1 - for immigrants from the USSR
Immigrants from the USSR can apply for citizenship
- VRP
Features of obtaining a residence permit for pensioners
- Elena Voropaeva
- 09.11.2020
Foreigners who were born in the RSFSR and previously had Soviet citizenship can be accepted as Russian citizens on the basis of clause 2 of Article 14 of the Federal Law No. 62 “On Citizenship”. Note! The law refers to birth specifically in the RSFSR, and not in any republic of the Soviet Union.
If you were born, for example, in the Uzbek SSR, then even if you had Soviet citizenship in the past, you will not be able to obtain Russian citizenship on this basis. The scheme for joining the ranks of Russians is the same as for those who register for children.
Option No. 2 - for those married to a citizen of the Russian Federation
Russian citizenship is available to pensioners whose spouses are Russian citizens. There is only one rule here - the marriage must be at least three years old.
The path to a Russian passport will run through the mandatory receipt of a temporary residence permit and residence permit.
Option No. 3 - for WWII veterans
The fastest way to become a Russian citizen is for WWII veterans.
Such applicants will need to collect a minimum package of documents, since there is no need for them to obtain a residence permit or confirm their knowledge of the language . There is also no need to confirm income or renounce citizenship, since this requirement has been removed from the law altogether.
Veterans can apply for citizenship provided they:
- live in the Russian Federation;
- are former Soviet citizens.
Option No. 4 - for citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan
If a pensioner is a citizen of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova or Kazakhstan, then he has the opportunity to apply for Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. This basis for obtaining a Russian passport was introduced recently - in July 2021. The right to apply for citizenship for immigrants from these countries is enshrined in paragraph “l” of Part 2 of Article 14 of the Federal Law No. 62 “On Citizenship”.
If you have a passport from one of these countries, then after receiving a Russian residence permit you can apply to become one of the Russians. The basis will simply be the presence of citizenship of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova or Kazakhstan.
Russian Speaker Program
- GCitizenship
How much does it cost to obtain Russian citizenship?
- Marina Danilova
- 03.09.2019
One of the government projects - the Russian speaker program - is quite suitable for simplified acquisition of Russian citizenship by pensioners. First of all, the project is designed for people whose original country is Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan or another state that was part of the USSR. The fact is that the main condition of the program is perfect knowledge of the Russian language. And at this level, the majority of people from the Soviet Union speak the language.
Learn more about the NRN program.
What documents to collect
The set of documents required to obtain a Russian passport is practically no different from the chosen option. Only in some special cases less paperwork will be required. Typically, a foreign pensioner requires:
- passport (foreign passport) of the country of which he has citizenship;
- residence permit (residence permit) or temporary residence permit (TRP);
- the applicant's birth certificate;
- marriage certificate (other documents confirming the change of surname, if any);
- 3 photographs (color, size 3x4 cm);
- birth certificates of his Russian children (if issued for children);
- additional documents confirming relationship with Russian citizens (if choosing this method);
- certificate confirming proficiency in the Russian language (not needed for men over 65 years old and women over 60 years old, disabled people of group I and incapacitated persons);
- a document confirming a legal source of livelihood in the Russian Federation (a certificate from a bank, a certificate of receipt of income by the pensioner himself or his able-bodied spouse or children);
- receipt of payment of state duty in the amount of 3,500 rubles.
You also need to write an application form in two copies. There is no need to worry about missing some documents. Firstly, the same documents are usually required for obtaining temporary residence permits and temporary residence permits, and secondly, migration service employees will clarify in advance what else needs to be brought.
List of documents
Along with the application for citizenship, you must provide a package of documents. They should be prepared in advance before going to the migration service. To obtain citizenship you must provide the following documents:
- photo;
- the document on the basis of which the residence permit was issued (it must be translated into Russian and notarized);
- birth certificate (only the original is submitted);
- a certificate that confirms that the person has renounced his previous citizenship;
- receipt for payment of state duty (in 2021 it was about 2 thousand rubles).
Please note that only those persons who have already reached 65 years of age do not have to submit a document on Russian language proficiency. If the pensioner is not yet 65, then he must submit a document confirming his fluency in the state language of Russia. Citizenship of the Russian Federation to parents of pensioners in 2021, as in the previous period, is granted in accordance with the general procedure.
The procedure for obtaining citizenship by pensioners
A step-by-step algorithm for going through the entire procedure with obtaining a Russian passport at the end looks like this:
Step 1. To obtain Russian citizenship, a pensioner needs a temporary residence permit and a residence permit.
Step 2. Within the prescribed period (5 years after receiving a residence permit in the usual manner and immediately in a simplified manner), you should collect a package of documents and report to the migration service department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Step 3. Write an application. It is compiled in two copies and looks like this:
Step 4. Once all documents and application have been accepted, the review period is up to 6 months.
Step 5. If the decision is positive, the pensioner will be invited to receive a Russian passport.
Procedure for obtaining citizenship
- Stage one. Collecting all necessary documents and receiving notification of the possibility of admission to Russian citizenship. The period is three months.
- Stage two. Compiling an application for admission. The application is drawn up in Russian, in two copies.
- Stage three. Payment of state duty. The current legislation sets the amount at 3,500 rubles.
- Stage four. Contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs at your place of residence with all collected documents.
- Stage five. Obtaining a passport within the established time frame (from three to six months).
Will they give me a passport after I turn 80?
Current legislation does not provide for any age restrictions for accepting Russian citizenship. Becoming a Russian citizen is allowed at any age: both after 80 years and after 90, if such a desire arises.
Moreover, the procedure is simplified for older applicants: they do not need to pass an exam on their knowledge of the Russian language. Also, older pensioners are provided with an accelerated granting of a citizenship pension, taking into account all the allowances provided for octogenarians.
