Starting January 25, Russia will tighten the rules for obtaining temporary residency permit (TRP) and permanent residency (PR) through marriage to combat fraudulent marriages and paternity claims for migration purposes, TASS reports.
The updated laws, "On the Procedure for Entering and Exiting the Russian Federation" and "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation," now require:
A minimum of three years of marriage to a Russian citizen permanently residing in Russia to qualify for TRP under a simplified procedure.
Proof of shared parenthood for PR applications in cases of unmarried parents.
If a marriage is dissolved, declared invalid by a court, or if the foreign parent loses parental rights, the permit may be revoked.
Additionally, the law clarifies conditions for obtaining PR without TRP. Generally, foreigners must reside in Russia for at least eight months on TRP before applying for PR. Exceptions are made for foreigners with Russian-citizen children living in Russia, provided they prove cohabitation and parental involvement.