Moving out for study or job purposes has become a common practice. It enables individuals to enhance exposure and get a better career path. Countries like Russia are filled with new and innovative options and opportunities for Indian nationalities. Obtaining citizenship in Russia will enable them to work and live here while travelling across the country without restrictions.

Are you looking for more information on Russian citizenship for Indians? Then, read till the end of this article to find out all about it.

Most people wonder if Indians can get Russian citizenship. It depends on whether you meet the eligibility criteria. These conditions are as follows.

• Applicants must have lived in Russia for at least five years.
• They must hold a permanent residence card.
• Having proficiency in speaking and understanding the Russian language is a must.
• They must have renounced previous citizenships.
• Applicants must be able to show their financial stability and accommodation in Russia. 

There are various ways to get Russian citizenship. For instance, if children have Russian parents, they can get Russian citizenship by birth. If they are born outside Russia to Russian parents or grandparents, they can claim citizenship by descent. Another form of obtaining Russian citizenship is through marriage. If you marry a Russian citizen, you will be eligible for this.

The Russian government also allows individuals to claim citizenship through investment. For example, if you invest around ₹ 1,14,26,902.50 in taxable revenue for three years in a Russian company, you will be able to claim citizenship. Apart from that, you can get citizenship through naturalisation. For this, you must hold a residence permit and meet other conditions.

Now the question is, how to get Russian citizenship for Indians? The process is offline. The following steps will guide you through the process.

Step 1: Visit the regional office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Procure an application for citizenship through naturalisation.

Step 2: Start filling the form with your details. Gather all the required documents.

Step 3: Submit the form with the documents and application fees to the regional office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Wait for them to approve the application.

Step 4: Once you get approval, apply for a Russian passport.

If you are wondering about the requirements of Russian citizenship for Indians, the following documents are mandatory while applying.

• Copy of passport
• Birth certificate (optional)
• Proof of income
• Certificate to prove Russian language proficiency
• Application to renounce previous citizenship

The Russian government charges a certain amount as an application fee. Adult applicants must pay about ₽3500 while applying. When it comes to children, they can pay about ₽1500. This application fee remains non-refundable.

Unfortunately, Russia does not allow dual citizenship. Applicants, therefore, must renounce their previous nationality before applying for Russian citizenship. In addition, they must prove the renounced citizenship with the application.

As a Russian permanent resident or citizen, you can bring your family or relatives to Russia with residence cards. The eligible relatives include spouses, children or parents. However, you cannot get citizenship for the entire family. Getting citizenship for a spouse is easier if you are a Russian citizen. The couple must live in Russia together for at least three years to get citizenship through marriage. In addition, a child cannot pass citizenship to the parents. Instead, they can become sponsors for their citizenship.

Getting citizenship in Russia for Indians can be complicated, as applications are easily rejected. Some common reasons have been causing maximum rejections in the past. These are listed below.

1. Inappropriate and missing documents

The documents submitted with the application are essential for the authorities to process your application. However, if you fail to submit all the required documents, the authorities cannot verify your details. Moreover, any fraud or forgery of these documents can also reject your application.

2. Failure to integrate socially

Having a social integration is necessary for getting citizenship in Russia. Applicants should try to associate with the surroundings and show community participation. Moreover, they need to maintain a good and moral character, avoiding criminal activities. Failure to do so might reject their citizenship applications.

3. Financial instability

If the applicants cannot prove financial stability, they are likely to lose their citizenship approval. They must prove employment, a steady income and proper residence in Russia. In addition, when the experts investigate your case, they must not find outstanding bills regarding tax or utility.

Therefore, as this article found, getting Russian citizenship for Indians can be highly beneficial. They will be able to find work and better opportunities in Russia and travel across the country free of restrictions.