Russian Migration Terms

This glossary explains 25 Russian migration terms: RVP, VNZh, patent, registratsiya, kvota and related words. They matter to US citizens who plan a long stay in Russia, to family members of Russian citizens and to former Russians who want to return. The main rules are in the federal law on the legal status of foreign citizens and in the law on migration registration.

Attorney Elena Petrova advises clients in California on Russian residence permits and the risks of a status breach.

Entry Documents

• Viza — a visa. Types include obyknovennaya (ordinary), rabochaya (work), uchebnaya (study) and chastnaya (private).
• Priglashenie — an invitation issued through the migration authority. Most visa types require one.
• Migratsionnaya karta — the migration card filled in at entry. Keep it until departure.
• Tsel vezda — the declared purpose of entry. It must match the actual activity.

Registration in Russia

• Migratsionny uchet — migration registration at the place of stay.
• Registratsiya — the everyday word for it. Hotels do it automatically; for a private flat the host files the notice.
• Prinimayushchaya storona — the host party that registers the foreigner.
• Srok registratsii — the deadline to register, in most cases within seven working days of arrival.

Temporary and Permanent Residence

• RVP — a temporary residence permit, usually for three years.
• Kvota — the annual quota of RVP permits per region.
• RVP bez kvoty — RVP outside the quota for certain groups, such as spouses of Russian citizens.
• VNZh — a residence permit, now usually issued without an expiry date.
• Uvedomlenie o podtverzhdenii prozhivaniya — an annual notice that RVP and VNZh holders must file.

Work Authorisation

• Patent — a work document for nationals of visa-free countries. US citizens cannot use it.
• Razreshenie na rabotu — a work permit for visa nationals.
• VKS — a highly qualified specialist status with a simpler work process.

Tests and Checks

• Ekzamen — a combined test in Russian language, history and law, required for RVP, VNZh and some permits.
• Daktiloskopiya — fingerprinting and photographing.
• Meditsinskoe osvidetelstvovanie — the mandatory medical examination.

Breaches and Sanctions

• Vydvorenie — administrative expulsion ordered by a court under the Code of Administrative Offences (KoAP RF).
• Deportatsiya — removal by the migration authority when stay becomes unlawful.
• Zapret na vezd — an entry ban, often for several years.
• Reestr kontroliruemykh lits — a register of foreigners without lawful grounds to stay, with restrictions on banking and property deals.

Planning a Move From California

Start with the purpose of stay, since it defines the visa and later status. Gather apostilled birth and marriage certificates and translate them in Russia. Keep copies of every registration notice, because gaps in the record are common grounds for refusal.

Elena Petrova reviews your documents and plans the route from visa to residence permit.

The main channel of communication with the attorney is email: attorneypetrova1@gmail.com.