Russian Parent

If US citizen (18 years and older ) has Russian parent this is a ground for immigration to Russia.

Do I need to apply for Temporary Residence status in Russia?
No. You apply for Permanent Residency in Russia

Can permanent residency be revoked?
Yes, if you stay longer than 180 days outside of Russia, Permanent Residency will be taken away from you.

I have registration in one city but my Russian parent lives in another city in different region, where I should apply for Permanent Residency?
You can apply for Permanent Residency in the region where you have your address Registration.

What kind of perks do I get with Permanent Residency?
Us citizen who has Permanent Residency can work in any Russian region. You don't need to get a work permit. You can live anywhere in Russia. You can travel in and out of the country without visa. It also gives a US citizen the right for free medical care in Russia. Yes, you can call emergency doctor to your house and it will not cost a dime, completely free.

Can I do an application online?
No, it is done only in person.

How much time does it take to process an application for Permanent Residency?
It takes around 4 months.

I need to travel outside of Russia, after I submit my application, can I do it?
Sure you can.

What happens after I am granted Permanent Residency?
You need to Register within 7 days of getting your Permanent Residency at the residency address in Russia.

Do I need to know anything else?
Yes, US Citizen with Permanent Residency has to confirm your residency on the annual basis : you submit a form that has information on the amount of days you spent outside of Russia. Also, you need to provide your income proof for the past year. This can be your Russian bank transactions from employer, or just Russian bank savings account.

Ok, do I have to do something else?
Yes. After you get your Permanent Residency in Russia US citizen has to to inform Russian tax authorities on an annual basis before each 1st of June about assets and foreign bank accounts abroad.

Are there any good news?
Yes. Right after US Citizen get a Permanent Residency, you can apply for Russian citizenship.

What documents are required?
- US Citizen birth certificate. Make sure you do apostille on your birth certificate - go to the Secretary of State for that. It's cheap. It was $3 in Georgia when I did, per document. Don't forget to translate it into Russian. Make sure you do all translations of the documents while in Russia, not in USA.
- US Citizen Passport.
- Russian passport of your Russian parent.
- Police Criminal Record ( remember, it's valid in Russia for only 90 days from the date of issue). Make sure you get it apostilled in US. While in Russia, you do translation into Russia and you notarize it.
- Medical examination ( Done in Russia)
- Proof of you income : salary from the Russian company or your savings account in the Russian bank.
- Address Registration of US Citizen in Russia.
- Migration Card ( you get that one on the border when you enter Russia)
- Payment receipt of State Duty for processing your application.

Do I have to pass Russian Language Test?
No you don't.