On 2 December 2025, the President of the Russian Federation has signed Decree No. 883 "On Supporting the Resettlement of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons, Who Represent Interests for the Russian Federation, and on the Features of Their Legal Status in the Russian Federation" (hereinafter – the "Decree") together with the Regulation "On the Procedure for Recognizing Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons as Representing Interests for the Russian Federation" (hereinafter – the "Regulation").
The Decree establishes that foreign citizens and stateless persons (hereinafter – "Foreign Citizens") can submit an application starting from 15 April 2026 to be recognized as representing interests for the Russian Federation if they:
- achieve in the fields of scientific and technological development, manufacturing, sports, creative (artistic) industries, in the cultural-humanitarian sphere, or in studies;
- have contributed to the development of society, the economy, and ensuring the defense capability and security of the Russian Federation;
- possess highly demanded professions (specialties), qualifications, or skills.
According to the text of the Decree, Foreign Citizens recognized as representing interests for the Russian Federation and their family members are granted the right to apply to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia:
- with an application for a temporary residence permit without regard to quotas and without providing documents confirming proficiency in Russian language, knowledge of Russian history, and basic Russian legislation;
- with an application for a residence permit without obtaining a temporary residence permit.
Along with the documents specified by Federal Law No. 115-FZ of 25 July 2002, "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation" (hereinafter – the "Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in RF") for submitting the respective application a copy of the document confirming the recognition of the foreign citizen as representing interests for the Russian Federation must be provided.
An important point is the time limit for submitting such applications – no more than one year from the date the foreign citizen receives the document confirming their recognition as representing interests for the Russian Federation.
The consideration of these applications and decisions on them shall be completed within 30 days from the date of application and submission of the necessary documents (with the possibility of an extension not exceeding 30 days).
Furthermore, the Decree establishes a mechanism allowing employers and service providers to attract Foreign Citizens who represent interests for the Russian Federation, and their family members, to work in Russia without a corresponding permit.
Such Foreign Citizens may work without permitting documents if the territorial authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia consider their application for a temporary residence permit or residence permit – before issuing the document or making a refusal decision. At the same time, the employer or customer must notify the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the relevant Russian region where the foreigners are working within three working days from the conclusion of the employment or civil law contract, in the manner and form established by the Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in RF.
The Regulation to the Decree sets forth the conditions and procedures for recognizing Foreign Citizens as representing interests for the Russian Federation. For example, a foreign citizen can be recognized as representing interests based on:
- achievements in scientific and technological development;
- achievements in manufacturing;
- achievements in sports;
- achievements in creative (artistic) industries or the cultural-humanitarian sphere;
- achievements in education;
- their contribution to the development of society, economy, and ensuring the defense capability and security of the Russian Federation;
- possession of highly demanded professions, qualifications, or skills.
The Decree follows up on the earlier Presidential Decree No. 702 of 19 August 2024 "On Providing Humanitarian Support to Persons Sharing Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values", which states that foreign citizens and stateless persons who wish to relocate to Russia from foreign states that do not support Russia's spiritual and moral values are entitled to apply for a temporary residence permit without considering the quota approved by the Russian Government and without submitting documents confirming proficiency in the Russian language, knowledge of history, and basic legislation of Russia.