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Why The Golden Visa Program is The Best Path to Move to Russia?
There are a variety of ways to move to Russia, gain residency, and eventually become a Russian citizen. But in our professional opinion here at Ark Vostok the best and most efficient way to do all of this is via the newly created Russian Golden Visa.
Advantages of the Golden Visa
Permanent Residency
A Golden Visa gives you permanent residency status in Russia.
It grants you the following rights.
It grants you the following rights.
- The ability to register and live in any region of the Russian Federation
- Free entry and exit from the Russian Federation
- The opportunity to work in any region of the Russian Federation without obtaining a work permit
- Free medical care under the Mandatory Medical Insurance policy, free education, and social payments
- The ability to elect and be elected to local self-government bodies
- Participation in referendums
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The same status for the whole family
Your family members are granted the same status as you — so that includes:
With a single investment, you’re making it possible for your whole family to be granted permanent residency in Russia.
Some of our clients view this as a "family investment" and sponsor the older generation in the family to invest in the Russian Golden Visa. This way, all three generations of the family get permanent residence status.
As an example, an elderly couple, that has three adult children, that is also married with children — this could easily mean 12 people are securing a permanent residence permit on one Golden Visa eligible investment.
- Your spouse
- Your children (including adopted ones)
- The spouses of your children
- Your grandchildren
- Your parents (including foster)
- The spouses of your parents
- Your grandparents
With a single investment, you’re making it possible for your whole family to be granted permanent residency in Russia.
Some of our clients view this as a "family investment" and sponsor the older generation in the family to invest in the Russian Golden Visa. This way, all three generations of the family get permanent residence status.
As an example, an elderly couple, that has three adult children, that is also married with children — this could easily mean 12 people are securing a permanent residence permit on one Golden Visa eligible investment.
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A residence investment that rises in value
The most common way to get a Golden Visa, is to invest in real estate in Russia.
As the investment has to be made in a recently constructed project, many of our clients choose to invest in developing projects, that rise in value as they come to completion.
Your return could be as high as 20−30% over the course of one year.
When the property is built, it could be rented out for income or used as a living accommodation for you and your family.
As the investment has to be made in a recently constructed project, many of our clients choose to invest in developing projects, that rise in value as they come to completion.
Your return could be as high as 20−30% over the course of one year.
When the property is built, it could be rented out for income or used as a living accommodation for you and your family.
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Save time and hassle
The alternative path is securing a temporary residence visa, which is a time-consuming and challenging process.
The traditional route to migrating to Russia was established to attract a cheap workforce from the former USSR republics — this is what the temporary residence program was designed for.
You must personally visit the immigration centers and be subject to rigorous documentation and even medical checks.
The process is handled by the Interior Ministry — So, in other words, the process is often very stressful and time-consuming.
This is compared to the Golden Visa process, where the documents are submitted to The Ministry of Economic Development — that are oversee attracting investment to Russia. The actual documentation can be submitted remotely without much hassle at all.
The traditional route to migrating to Russia was established to attract a cheap workforce from the former USSR republics — this is what the temporary residence program was designed for.
You must personally visit the immigration centers and be subject to rigorous documentation and even medical checks.
The process is handled by the Interior Ministry — So, in other words, the process is often very stressful and time-consuming.
This is compared to the Golden Visa process, where the documents are submitted to The Ministry of Economic Development — that are oversee attracting investment to Russia. The actual documentation can be submitted remotely without much hassle at all.
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A faster way to Russian citizenship
As you are directly granted permanent residency status, you only need to wait 5 years to obtain your Russian Citizenship, should you choose to apply for it.
Without a Golden Visa, one must wait up to 3 years with temporary residence status, before one can be granted permanent residency.
To sum up, the Golden Visa is the best possible way forward for a large, multi-generation family to Move to Russia.
Without a Golden Visa, one must wait up to 3 years with temporary residence status, before one can be granted permanent residency.
To sum up, the Golden Visa is the best possible way forward for a large, multi-generation family to Move to Russia.
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2024
Reading Time: 9 min
Advantages of the Golden Visa
- 1Permanent ResidencyA Golden Visa gives you permanent residency status in Russia.
It grants you the following rights.- The ability to register and live in any region of the Russian Federation
- Free entry and exit from the Russian Federation
- The opportunity to work in any region of the Russian Federation without obtaining a work permit
- Free medical care under the Mandatory Medical Insurance policy, free education, and social payments
- The ability to elect and be elected to local self-government bodies
- Participation in referendums
- 2The same status for the whole familyYour family members are granted the same status as you — so that includes:
- Your spouse
- Your children (including adopted ones)
- The spouses of your children
- Your grandchildren
- Your parents (including foster)
- The spouses of your parents
- Your grandparents
With a single investment, you’re making it possible for your whole family to be granted permanent residency in Russia.
Some of our clients view this as a "family investment" and sponsor the older generation in the family to invest in the Russian Golden Visa. This way, all three generations of the family get permanent residence status.
As an example, an elderly couple, that has three adult children, that is also married with children — this could easily mean 12 people are securing a permanent residence permit on one Golden Visa eligible investment. - 3A residence investment that rises in valueThe most common way to get a Golden Visa, is to invest in real estate in Russia.
As the investment has to be made in a recently constructed project, many of our clients choose to invest in developing projects, that rise in value as they come to completion.
Your return could be as high as 20−30% over the course of one year.
When the property is built, it could be rented out for income or used as a living accommodation for you and your family. - 4Save time and hassleThe alternative path is securing a temporary residence visa, which is a time-consuming and challenging process.
The traditional route to migrating to Russia was established to attract a cheap workforce from the former USSR republics — this is what the temporary residence program was designed for.
You must personally visit the immigration centers and be subject to rigorous documentation and even medical checks.
The process is handled by the Interior Ministry — So, in other words, the process is often very stressful and time-consuming.
This is compared to the Golden Visa process, where the documents are submitted to The Ministry of Economic Development — that are oversee attracting investment to Russia. The actual documentation can be submitted remotely without much hassle at all. - 5A faster way to Russian citizenshipAs you are directly granted permanent residency status, you only need to wait 5 years to obtain your Russian Citizenship, should you choose to apply for it.
Without a Golden Visa, one must wait up to 3 years with temporary residence status, before one can be granted permanent residency.
To sum up, the Golden Visa is the best possible way forward for a large, multi-generation family to Move to Russia.
Alternatives to the Golden Visa
What are the alternatives to the Golden Visa?
Well, for an adult who has no prior family connection to Russia or the USSR, there are several paths, but they are not straightforward.
Well, for an adult who has no prior family connection to Russia or the USSR, there are several paths, but they are not straightforward.
- 1Temporary Residency Permit
- Be granted a quota — each year Russia divides a quota of temporary residency permits for all its regions. The only way to apply is by being physically in Russia at the time.
- In total for 2024, only 10,595 quotas were granted — and they are usually all reserved in the first month of the year. To see the whole list of regions and their quotas — you can read our article here.
- Secure employment among certain professions — one can also get a temporary residence via employment in an area where there are skill shortages.
- Marriage to a Russian citizen — this will naturally grant you a temporary residence status that can then be converted to permanent residency status.
- 2Permanent Residency Permit
- A diploma from a Russian university — if one completes education, in Russia that has official government accreditation you can then apply for permanent residency.
- You must study "in person" — remote studies are not valid.
- A contract with the Russian military — signing a one-year contract will grant you and your family permanent residency in Russia.
- Winning the competition "Russia — the land of opportunities" — if you get to the national final or win the yearly leadership competition it can lead to permanent residency in Russia.
Find out more on the site. - 3Russian Citizenship
- Granted by the president — the president of the Russian Federation can grant Russian Citizenship.
- Recommended by "Russia — the land of opportunities" — in some special cases, the winner of the competition could directly be granted Russian citizenship.
Besides the two most unusual paths above, the common path is that citizenship is granted after living in Russia for 5 years with permanent residency status.
The fastest, easiest way for a foreign national and his family to be granted permanent residency status is through the Golden Visa investment program that was recently introduced in January 2023.
Alternatives to the Golden Visa
What are the alternatives to the Golden Visa?
Well, for an adult who has no prior family connection to Russia or the USSR, there are several paths, but they are not straightforward.
Well, for an adult who has no prior family connection to Russia or the USSR, there are several paths, but they are not straightforward.
- 1Temporary Residency Permit
- Be granted a quota — each year Russia divides a quota of temporary residency permits for all its regions. The only way to apply is by being physically in Russia at the time.
- In total for 2024, only 10,595 quotas were granted — and they are usually all reserved in the first month of the year. To see the whole list of regions and their quotas — you can read our article here.
- Secure employment among certain professions — one can also get a temporary residence via employment in an area where there are skill shortages.
- Marriage to a Russian citizen — this will naturally grant you a temporary residence status that can then be converted to permanent residency status.
- 2Permanent Residency Permit
- A diploma from a Russian university — if one completes education, in Russia that has official government accreditation you can then apply for permanent residency.
- You must study "in person" - remote studies are not valid.
- A contract with the Russian military — signing a one-year contract will grant you and your family permanent residency in Russia.
- Winning the competition "Russia — the land of opportunities" — if you get to the national final or win the yearly leadership competition it can lead to permanent residency in Russia.
Find out more on the site. - 3Russian Citizenship
- Granted by the president — the president of the Russian Federation can grant Russian Citizenship.
- Recommended by "Russia — the land of opportunities" — in some special cases, the winner of the competition could directly be granted Russian citizenship.
Besides the two most unusual paths above, the common path is that citizenship is granted after living in Russia for 5 years with permanent residency status.
The fastest, easiest way for a foreign national and his family to be granted permanent residency status is through the Golden Visa investment program that was recently introduced in January 2023.
The Process to Obtain a Golden Visa
The most common way to secure a Golden Visa is through real estate investment. Our company assists with property selection based on your regional preference and interest, guiding you through the entire process.
We are the leading firm by delivering quality and value to our clients. All our professionals have more than 5 years of legal experiences. We like what we do.
Gathering preferences
Property Selection
We collaborate with reputable developers to offer multiple options for newly built properties (not older than 2 years).
Tourist Visa
We assist in obtaining a tourist visa to visit Russia and review shortlisted properties.
Preparation
Help with securing a tax authority number and opening a Russian bank account.
Purchase
Assist in completing the purchase and ensuring the deal is executed correctly.
Securing Golden Visa
Collect necessary documentation for you and your family and assist in your Golden Visa application.
The usual timeframe from the initial idea to property purchase ranges from 3−6 months, depending on your pace, you set the speed. Once the property is purchased, the Golden Visa application is processed within 2−4 months, after owning the property for 1 year.
We are happy to guide you through this process. Please reach out to us directly here.
We are happy to guide you through this process. Please reach out to us directly here.
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This insight is written by our expert
Ilja Belobragin
General Managing partner
General Managing partner
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The Process to Obtain
a Golden Visa
The most common way to secure a Golden Visa is through real estate investment. Our company assists with property selection based on your regional preference and interest, guiding you through the entire process.
We are the leading firm by delivering quality and value to our clients. All our professionals have more than 5 years of legal experiences. We like what we do.
Gathering preferences
Property Selection
We collaborate with reputable developers to offer multiple options for newly built properties (not older than 2 years).
Tourist Visa
We assist in obtaining a tourist visa to visit Russia and review shortlisted properties.
Preparation
Help with securing a tax authority number and opening a Russian bank account.
Purchase
Assist in completing the purchase and ensuring the deal is executed correctly.
Securing Golden Visa
Collect necessary documentation for you and your family and assist in your Golden Visa application.
The usual timeframe from the initial idea to property purchase ranges from 3−6 months, depending on your pace, you set the speed. Once the property is purchased, the Golden Visa application is processed within 2−4 months, after owning the property for 1 year.
We are happy to guide you through this process. Please reach out to us directly here.
We are happy to guide you through this process. Please reach out to us directly here.
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Steps to secure a Golden Visa through real estate investment:
1
Gathering preferences
We are the leading firm by delivering quality and value to our clients. All our professionals have more than 5 years of legal experiences. We like what we do.
2
Property Selection
We collaborate with reputable developers to offer multiple options for newly built properties (not older than 2 years).
3
Tourist Visa
We assist in obtaining a tourist visa to visit Russia and review shortlisted properties.
4
Preparation
Help with securing a tax authority number and opening a Russian bank account.
5
Purchase
Assist in completing the purchase and ensuring the deal is executed correctly.
6
Securing Golden Visa
Collect necessary documentation for you and your family, and assist in your Golden Visa application.
The usual timeframe from the initial idea to property purchase ranges from 3−6 months, depending on your pace, you set the speed. Once the property is purchased, the Golden Visa application is processed within 2−4 months, after owning the property for 1 year.
We are happy to guide you through this process. Please reach out to us directly here.
We are happy to guide you through this process. Please reach out to us directly here.
This insight is written by our expert
Ilja Belobragin
General Managing partner
General Managing partner