State Duma endorses amendments on simplified procedure for obtaining residence permits for foreigners who invested in Russia

MOSCOW. June 14 (Interfax) - The State Duma passed amendments to simplify the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Russia for several categories of foreign citizens on Wednesday.

In particular, the bill provides for issuing a residence permit without obtaining a temporary residence permit for a foreign citizen who has made investments in Russia and for his family members.

The Russian government will set criteria to be met by this kind of foreign citizen.

Additionally, this simplified procedure of obtaining a residence permit is provided by the amendments for a foreign citizen who has concluded during the period of the special military operation a contract for military service in the Russian Armed Forces or military formations for a period of one year, and for his family members, including in the event of the death of a serviceman.

On the whole, the bill proposes granting the right to obtain an indefinite residence permit for highly qualified specialists and their family members in the event of their employment in Russia as highly qualified specialists who have a residence permit for at least two years, and if an employer computes, deducts and remits taxes to the Russian budget system in respect of these specialists.

The bill also proposes stipulating that starting from March 1, 2024, as a general rule, the salary of highly qualified specialists should be no less than 750,000 rubles per quarter (i.e. about 250,000 rubles per month). Under the current regulation, it should be no less than 167,000 rubles per month.