Russia’s New Golden Visa May Find Market Among “Geopolitical Hedgers”
February 13, 2023
“With a PR and assets in Russia, many Chinese, for example, may feel safer than they would in Europe or North America,” said Philippe May.
Russia
Investor Visa Program
The Russian Investor Visa (AKA the Russian Golden Visa) gives investors – and up to five generations of their family members – permanent residency in Russia immediately upon approval. Following five years of legal residency, applicants are eligible for citizenship, subject to their mastery of Russian language.
Applicants may qualify through both passive or active types of investment, in businesses or property. Minimum investment amount range from RUB 15m (US$205,000). For active business investments, qualification is subject to a minimum tax-payment threshold.
Program at a glance
| Program Type | Golden Visa Program |
| Time to citizenship | 5 to 6 years |
| Time to permanent residency | Immediately upon approval |
| Minimum investment | RUB 15m (US$205,000) |
| Physical presence requirement | None |
| Application processing time | 3 months |
| Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 118 destinations, including Schengen countries and the United States |
| Contribution types available | Property Investment, Business Investment |
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How to Qualify
Salient Benefits
Path to Citizenship
Program Authority
Program Legal Basis
How to Qualify
General program requirements
To qualify, applicants must either invest
RUB15m ($205,000) investment i in Socially Significant Projects;
RUB30m ($410,000) investment in a Russian legal entity carrying out entrepreneurial activities;
RUB20m ($272,500) investment in real estate in Far Eastern Federal District;
RUB25m ($340,000) investment in real estate elsewhere in Russia;
RUB50m ($680,000) investment in real estate in Moscow;
OR
Establish, as a sole founder, a business (LLC, joint-stock company, farm, or business partnership) that contributes taxes and fees amounting to at least RUB 4 million annually; or
Invest in an existing company that contributes taxes and fees amounting to at least RUB 6 million annually.
Salient Benefits
Program benefits
- Path to citizenship;
- Minimal physical presence requirements;
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship;
- Ability to include three or more generations of family members;
- Enhanced business access to large economies;
- Short processing time
Path to Citizenship
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
The program gives applicants and their family members (up to five generations) permanent residency in Russia immediately upon approval.
After completing five years of residency, the investor can apply for citizenship. The investor must show proficiency in the Russian language by passing a language test to be considered for citizenship.
Generally, the investor would need to renounce their previous citizenship, but many exceptions exist.
Program Authority
Applications for this program may be directed to:
Program Legal Basis
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Federal Law on Foreign Investments Law No. N 160-FZ
Talk to a Trusted Program Specialist
As the hub for investment migration professionals, IMI is regularly in touch with program specialists in every corner of the globe.
Tell us a little about your situation and what you need so that we may put you in touch with the right advisors.
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Explore Programs
Direct Citizenship Programs
Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Semi-Direct Citizenship Programs
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Golden Visa Programs
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Independent Means Visas
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Active Investor Visas
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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