Original Russian

Original Russian

Dating a Russian woman ? How to obtain a temporary residency permit to live in Russia for 3 years. Only for the adventurous!

This is a brief guide on how a European man obtained a temporary residency permit valid for 3 years to live with his Russian wife in Siberia, why not take a look at some photographs of Russia to see what you're missing. .

There are possibly thousands of permutations to this time consuming, frustrating and at times illogical process, and everyones personal situation is different. Regions and even cities in Russia have different regulations, procedures, quotas etc.. If you have children the process will be different and your country of origin will make a difference as well.

Please read this, as you would a third person newspaper report, do not rely on it for accuracy in your case, in Russia the laws are constantly changing, so much so, that sometimes even the staff can't keep up with them. Hopefully this article will give you a feel for what will be required and then you'll be less surprised when you begin your own application.

The Russian Federation, as with most countries has a quota system for the amount of foreigners that are allowed to live in Russia, if you are married to a Russian national , then you are not considered in this quota and may apply freely.

Before you submit any application you must take the following documents to your local FMS ( Federal Migration Service ) office and have a consultation with an inspector.

original passport
copy of passport (all pages)
original marriage certificate apostilled
original police certificate apostilled from country or permanent living

Usually there are two "receiving" days every week. In our case it was Tuesday and Friday between 09.00 and 13.00. Remember that Russia attracts applications from all over the 15 ex-USSR republics whose residents are also considered to be foreigners to Russia and must pass the same procedure as a Westerner. Arrive early and wait, there was a very vague "who is last in the queue" system, no take a ticket, no appointment time, if you don't get seen on that day, go the next receiving day and so on.

The inspector will notify you of any immediate problems and will inform you that :

all foreign documents should be translated into Russian and notarised in Russia
you must open a Russian bank account and deposit the amount required by FMS regulations
( ask inspector for the exact amount )
A copy of your passport translated and notarised will be required to open an account in Russia.
you must provide certificates of certain medical tests as stipulated by FMS regulations
you must provide 8 stamps and 8 envelopes for travel across Russia
In the course of your application letters are sent to tax, pension, statistics, labour offices etc..
you must provide your own loose leaf cardboard folder for your documents to be "sewn" into.
If you're not sure, ask to see one, new flashy folders are not welcome and not wanted
you must provide 4 passport style photographs 35 x 45 in accordance with the application form
you must purchase and provide 2 application packs (application forms) from the informator (reception desk)

The full list of medical documents required and more details are listed here with lots more information.

Medicals can only be taken at the Russian hospital or polyclinic as stipulated on your application and are only valid for one month, your medical certificate results must be paid at the time of application.

Every medical must be paid for by yourself in Roubles at the time of testing ( this cannot be claimed back )
You must have an HIV test and acquire a certificate. ( simple blood test )
You must have a venereal disease test ( simple blood test ) for gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia and leprosy and acquire a certificate.
You must have a narcotics / drugs dependency test and acquire a certificate ( a few questions and a look at your arms, back and stomach )
You must have a simple blood, urine and flurogram (x-ray) test at your local polyclinic as designated, then take the results to a major tuberculosis clinic where your certificate will be issued.

Preparing your application you will need :

HIV certificate
Venereal disease certificate
Tuberculosis certificate
Narcotics certificate
4 passport style photographs 35mm x 45mm
Bank statement that confirms that the application fee has been paid (ask officer for fee, pay through Sverbank)
Bank receipt ( A4 letter written by the bank NOT a copy of a bank book or statement, ask for this letter from Reception) confirming minimum requirement ( depending on city FMS will advise )
wifes original passport
copy of wifes main passport pages
original passport
copy of passport (all pages) translated into Russian and notarised in Russia
copy of migration card (given in the plane)
original migration card (given in the plane)
copy of notification talon ( given when you register as a foreigner within 3 days of arrival in the Russian Federation)
8 envelopes stamped for travel across Russia
Original police certificate from your country of origin or permanent residency stating your police history or any convictions, translated into Russian and notarised in Russia (apostilles should be translated into Russian and notarised together )
original marriage certificate apostilled
copy of marriage certificate translated into Russian and notarised in Russia ( translator should make a copy from the original )
Document confirming that you have a place to live (copy and original) proof of ownership of property for example ( possibly wife, mother in law etc..
Agreement of the person that owns the property that you will live at, that they don't mind you living there for 3 years, notarised and typed.
2 application forms filled out only in RUSSIAN and signed in front of the inspector on submission day
an open leaf folder for documents to be sewn into ( ask at stationers )

All foreign documents should be translated into Russian and notarised in Russia

Arrange to submit your application early on a "receiving day". The inspector will review the documents that you have prepared and consult her list of requirements. If everything is in order you may sign the 2 application forms in her presence, she will then write your details into a large ledger confirming that she has accepted your application for consideration by the Russian Federation major FMS department.

When the permit is ready you will be asked to make registration, for this you must :

go to the informator at your local FMS office, who will complete an application for registration of foreigners form for you
you must ask them to complete a form for a statistics talon, you will need a translated passport and the original, and details of property ownership in Russia
present a copy of your wifes passport plus a hand written request for the FMS to register the person applying at the address in Russia

Your passport will then be taken for processing, and you will be given a document confirming this ( Carry this with you at all times ).

In about 15 working days you may contact your FMS officer who will tell you if it is ready or not. On collection be prepared to have all your fingerprints taken before leaving the office. Check your TRP stamp in your passport.

Under Russian Federation law you will be told whether your application has been successful or not within a period of 6 months. Your receiving officer will often tell you roughly when to call her and enquire about the process of your application. If you are refused there is no requirement for the authorities to tell you why and you may re-apply for a temporary residency permit after 1 full year from the day of application has passed.

About the Author

When I met my wife on the internet 7 years go I didn't follow the usual path of bringing her to my European country, I wanted to understand her background, her views and lifestyle...I moved to Siberia and still live here. The experiences need to be seen to be believed but you can read about them here- http://www.rurev.com/

If you want to understand your partner, understand Russia, start by looking at some real photographs http://www.rurev.com/more_russia_pics.html and then read all about Russia at http://www.rurev.com/site_map.html

Could you translate this War and Peace quote in its original russian version?

"Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly."

Thank you!

Лови минуты счастия, заставляй себя любить, влюбляйся сам! Только это одно есть настоящее на свете -- остальное всё вздор.

"Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly. It is the one thing we are interested in here," said the spirit of the place.

"Лови минуты счастия, заставляй себя любить, влюбляйся сам! Только это одно есть настоящее на свете -- остальное всё вздор. И этим одним мы здесь только и заняты", -- говорила эта атмосфера.