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Golden Visa Partners

2026 Program Guide

Russia Golden Visa & Residence Permit

Russia does not have a golden visa program in the Western sense; however, a regulation issued in 2022 allows foreigners who make significant investments in the country to obtain direct residence permits (VNZh), bypassing the temporary residence stage. Due to implementation and international restrictions, the current situation must be carefully verified.

Last updated: 2026-07-07 · Reviewed by: Burak Ünal

At a glance

Program
Investment residency (2022 regulation)
Route
Direct residence permit (VNZh) through significant investment
Temporary residence
Can be bypassed (on the investment route)
Caution
Implementation and restrictions; verification required
Citizenship
After long-term residence

Who is it for?

  • Investors planning a significant business or investment in Russia.
  • Entrepreneurs with regional business connections.
  • Applicants able to carefully assess current conditions.
  • Those planning to relocate with their families.

The 2022 Investment Residency Regulation

In 2022, Russia introduced a regulation allowing foreigners who make significant investments in the country or hold a certain stake in a Russian company to apply directly for permanent residence (VNZh), bypassing the usual temporary residence stage. Implementation and administrative processes should be monitored carefully.

Points to Consider

Current international economic restrictions may complicate banking and transfer processes. For this reason, each application should be assessed separately in light of current legal and practical conditions.

Who Should Consider This Route

This route is best suited to investors who are comfortable with a jurisdiction where the rules are recent and still settling into practice. Under the 2022 regulation, a significant investment in the country can lead to a direct residence permit, known as the VNZh, without first passing through the temporary residence stage that other applicants face. The sequence is straightforward on paper: a preliminary assessment of your profile, the investment itself in the amount the regulation specifies, then the application and, once reviewed, approval. A clean criminal record and a complete set of documents are expected, and family members can generally be included in the plan. What makes careful preparation essential here is not the structure but the context. Implementation can vary, and international restrictions add further complications, so the current legislation and its practical effect should be verified before any commitment is made. Applicants drawn by access to a large domestic market will want to weigh that ambition against the need for up-to-date confirmation at every stage. Given how much can change, professional guidance and a fresh reading of the law are the sensible starting point.

Benefits

  • Possibility of bypassing the temporary residence stage on the investment route.
  • Access to a large domestic market.
  • Family members can be included.
  • Possibility of direct residence permit (VNZh).

Requirements

  • Investment or business of the amount specified in the regulation.
  • Clean criminal record and documentation.
  • Verification of current legislation.

Costs

Investment
Per regulation (to be verified)
Fees
Apply separately

Process

  1. Preliminary assessment

    Verifying eligibility and current legislation.

  2. Investment

    Making the required investment.

  3. Application

    Residence (VNZh) application.

  4. Approval

    Obtaining residence after approval.

FAQ

Is residence through investment possible in Russia?
Under the 2022 regulation, direct residence (VNZh) is available for foreigners making significant investments; we verify the current status.
Can I bypass the temporary residence stage?
On the investment route, the temporary residence stage can be bypassed under the regulation.
Do restrictions affect the process?
Yes, international restrictions may affect banking and transfers; the process is assessed based on current conditions.
Can I include my family?
Yes. A spouse and dependent children can be included in the application.

Sources

Disclaimer: Golden Visa Partners is an investment and immigration advisory firm; it does not provide legal or attorney services. The investment amounts, timelines and program conditions on this page are for general guidance only and, because regulations change quickly, may be out of date. Before making any decision, we recommend consulting current official sources and obtaining independent legal and financial advice.

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