Residency by Investment in Russia

Russia’s golden visa is one of the main programs created by the government to attract foreign entrepreneurs. Also known as the investor visa, this scheme comes with several options in which businesspersons can inject capital against various benefits.

Find out from our lawyers in Russia what Russian residency by investment entails and what the legal aspects you need to keep in mind are. You can talk to us if you want to immigrate to Russia.

5 options for  Russian residency by investment 

Russia implemented the program for foreigners who want to invest in this country to obtain residence. The Russian Ministry of Economic Development has already drawn up an investment plan in this regard, and more precisely between RUB 6 million and 50 million to access the Golden Visa Program in Russia. Here is what this program basically involves and how it can be accessed, with the help of the 5 options, mentioning that you can be helped if you want to move to Russia:

1. Investments of at least RUB 15 million (USD 200,000) in social projects;
2. Investments of at least RUB 30 million in a Russian company that has operated in Russia for at least 3 years;
3. Properties worth between RUB 20 million and 50 million (USD 270,000 to USD 680,000), depending on where the property is located (the condition is to own these properties for at least 1 year, after which to apply for residence in Russia);
4. a minimum of RUB 6 million (USD 61,000) in an existing company (the amount must cover the taxes, fees, and other state contributions for the respective business;
5. at least RUB 6 million as a sole trader with the same conditions as an investment in an existing company.

So, these are the methods by which foreigners can get Russian residency by investment and more precisely Golden Visa Program in Russia.

Residency by purchasing real estate in Russia

Returning to the Russia’s residency by investment program covering real estate acquisitions, here are the applicants’ main options:

• the lowest amount of RUB 20 million is for property purchases in the Federal District of the Far East;
• those who want to own properties in Moscow must acquire a property valued at a minimum of RUB 50 million;
• for properties anywhere else in the country, the RUB 25 million minimum investment applies.

It is important to note that people who already own properties in Russia can also apply for the investor visa. We can also help you if you want to open a company in Azerbaijan through our local partners.

The main conditions are:

• the real estate must have been acquired before the 15^th of January 2023;
• the buyer must have owned it for at least one year upon submitting the application;
• the value of the property must meet the program’s requirements.

Feel free to contact our immigration lawyers in Russia for details about the requirements for each Russian golden visa option.

We invite you to discuss all legal issues with our lawyers in Russia. This way you can have the guarantee that the submission documents are in order and that the application will not be rejected. Talk to us for more details about residency by investment in Russia and about how to immigrate to Russia.

How to issue a residence permit in Russia

Applicants for Russian residency by investment must know that the residence permit (vid na zhitelstvo) is issued directly, without a temporary residence permit. This document has different validity periods (based on the investment option chosen), and residents can later apply for citizenship. In this case, the authorities may impose the obligation to know the Russian language, and the scheme has applied since 11 January 2023 (Government Decree No. 2573). However, if you plan to relocate to Russia, please contact us.

Immigrate to Russia with family members under the residency by investment scheme

One of the main advantages of applying for Russian residency by investment is that one can also bring family members with him/her on the same application. The visa covers the following:

• the spouse;
• minor children;
• adult children and spouses;
• parents with their spouses;
• grandparents and grandchildren.

Feel free to request the services of our law firm in Russia for drafting the necessary documents, especially if you plan to relocate with your extended family.

How long does it take to obtain citizenship in Russia through the golden visa?

Those who enter the Russian residency by investment program are eligible for citizenship after 5 years. However, it is important to note that they are not required to renounce their former nationality (this requirement was abolished in 2020).

One of the main requirements to qualify for the golden visa in Russia is to have made the investment as follows:

• 2 years before, in the case of a business creation;
• 3 years in all other cases.

Our Russian lawyers can help you with citizenship in Russia

Even if the Golden Visa Program was implemented in Russia, foreign citizens can invest in this country in various sectors, either by creating new companies or investing in existing ones. Residence permits are required for foreigners who want to relocate to Russia, so we recommend the legal support provided by our lawyers in Russia. Professionalism, efficiency, and confidentiality are among the advantages you can benefit from if you collaborate with us.

Therefore, those interested in Russian residency by investment or how to move to Russia can contact our law firm in Russia. Find out details about our legal services.