Russia will start a fast-track residency program for foreigners in 2026.
In April 2026, Russia will begin accepting applications for a new impatriate status. The program provides skilled foreigners with a quicker route to family relocation, permanent residency, and streamlined immigration regulations.
Russia is getting ready to provide a new immigration route for foreigners who wish to offer their abilities and reside there permanently. The action is a component of Presidential Decree No. 883, which was issued in December 2025.
The concept is straightforward. This program offers you a quicker and more straightforward path to residency if you have the abilities Russia needs and wish to live there permanently.
The Impatriate Program: What Is It?
The impatriate status is intended for foreigners who wish to settle in Russia permanently and make contributions to the country's economy, society, or important industries. Citizens of any nation who feel they fit the requirements may apply starting on April 15, 2026. There are neither geographic nor nationality restrictions.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The impatriate program is intended for those who are truly valuable. This encompasses those who:
possess a strong background in science, technology, manufacturing, education, culture, sports, or the arts.
Work in occupations that Russia needs right now
have significantly impacted their industry or field
To put it briefly, rather than just moving, Russia is looking for those who can work, create, teach, or invent.
What Is Unique About This Program?
The impatriate program differs from the typical procedure for obtaining a residency status. The primary benefits are simplicity and speed. Those that are accepted can anticipate:
A temporary residency visa free of language and history tests and quotas
A quicker and more straightforward route to permanent residency
Reduced processing times in comparison to standard migration routes
Residence permits can be handled in as little as 30 days once impatriate status is granted.
Are Family Members Able to Move?
Indeed. The program's inclusion of families is one of its main attractions.
The primary applicant may move with spouses, parents, kids, and dependent or adopted children. During the relocation and settlement process, families are also assisted.
How the Application Procedure Operates
There are three primary steps in the process:
Submission of an application
Through the program operator, the foreign national requests recognition as an impatriate.
Three-phase evaluation
The operator's assessment of skills and eligibility
The Ministry of Internal Affairs' security screening
The presidential citizenship commission's working group's final assessment
Final choice
The decision to award impatriate status is made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Time Spent Processing
According to official infocards, the total processing period for confirming impatriate status is between 95 and 125 days. After that, residency permits are processed more quickly, possibly in less than 30 days.
Assistance Following Arrival
Both nationally and regionally, authorized expatriates and their families are provided with organized assistance. Authorities in pilot areas offer services through a one-stop shop that facilitates basic integration, settlement, and documentation.
When Applications Open On April 15, 2026, applications for impatriate status will formally open.
This is a significant change in Russia's immigration policy for qualified professionals thinking about long-term relocation. Here, efficiency, clarity, and drawing in individuals with relevant abilities are prioritized over complicated regulations and lengthy wait times.
