By the end of this article, you’ll understand how to qualify for Russia’s investor visa, navigate the application process, and leverage unique perks—like including up to five generations of your family—and see how Russia’s program stacks up against other “Golden Visa” schemes.

What Is Russia’s Investor Visa?

Russia introduced its investor visa in January 2024 to attract foreign capital into priority sectors, offering a structured approach to residency and eventual citizenship. According to a detailed report on the launch of the investor visa in January 2024 by Reuters, applicants must meet defined investment thresholds and maintain physical presence in Russia for at least 183 days each year to retain their status.

A Brief History

Russia experimented with investment-based residency in the 2010s, but those plans never fully launched. The 2024 program is the first fully operational “Golden Visa” in Russia, featuring transparent rules approved by presidential decree and designed to streamline foreign direct investment.

Who Qualifies and Which Investments Count?

To be eligible, you must:

1. Invest at least USD 500,000 in Russian business or real estate.
2. Ensure your business has been operating and paying taxes for at least 12 months before application—or launch a new enterprise and meet tax-revenue targets within a set timeframe, as outlined in the Visardo guide to Russia’s investor visa which details compliance requirements.
3. Maintain physical presence in Russia for at least 183 days per calendar year.

Investment Categories

• Business Projects: Must generate at least RUB 50 million in annual revenue (approx. USD 650,000) and employ a minimum of five local workers.
• Socially Significant Projects: Contributions to healthcare, education, or infrastructure qualify, provided the federal or regional authority endorses them.
• Real Estate: Residential or commercial property worth at least USD 500,000. Note that properties under mortgage do not count toward the threshold, as clarified in the Migrate World overview of qualifying real estate investments.

Regional Variations

Minimum real estate investments outside major cities can be lower:

• Moscow & St. Petersburg: USD 500,000.
• Far Eastern Federal District: USD 200,000, according to data from Russia Briefing’s regional investment requirements report.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Prepare Documents
2. Valid passport
3. Proof of investment (bank statements, notarized contracts)
4. Tax compliance certificates

5. Business registration or real estate deed

6. Submit to Federal Migration Service
   Applications are currently paused for new submissions, but those filed before suspension remain under review, as noted on Pravo.ru’s legal bulletin.

7. Biometric Enrollment
   Provide fingerprints and a photo at the designated migration office.

8. Wait for Approval
   Processing typically takes 60–90 days once the service resumes accepting new applications, based on timelines published by Imperial & Legal’s immigration practice.

9. Receive Visa & Obtain a Residence Permit
   The permit is initially valid for two years and is renewable for an additional two-year period upon review.

What You Gain: Benefits and Perks

• Residence for Five Generations
  Your children, grandchildren—and even great-great-grandchildren—can apply for permanent residency under your visa status. This multi-generational provision is highlighted in a Moscow Times analysis of Russia’s investor visa benefits.
• Path to Citizenship
  After five years of uninterrupted residency, you become eligible for Russian citizenship, subject to passing a Russian language and history exam.
• Tax Residency
  Maintaining over 183 days per year in Russia qualifies you as a tax resident, subject to a flat 13% income tax rate on worldwide earnings under most bilateral double taxation treaties.

“Opening this program was a key step to diversify Russia’s foreign investor base,” said Ivan Petrov, a Moscow-based immigration lawyer.

Geopolitical Climate and Uptake Challenges

Sanctions and strained relations with Western governments have deterred some applicants, but European investors—particularly Germans—dominated early filings, accounting for over 40% of applications in the program’s first quarter, as reported by Deutsche Welle’s coverage of Russia’s new visa scheme. Despite high media interest, actual uptake remains modest, with fewer than 120 visas granted by April 2025, according to TASS’s statistics on investor visa approvals.

How Russia’s Program Compares

Country | Minimum Investment | Family Inclusion | Residency Requirement
————- | ——————————————————————————————————————————————————- | ———————— | ———————-
Portugal | €280,000 | Spouse + children | 7 days/year
Spain | €500,000 | Spouse + children | 16 days/year
Russia | USD 500,000 | Up to 5 generations | 183 days/year

Your Next Move: Securing Russian Residency

Armed with this guide, you now have a clear roadmap:

• Assess which investment path suits you—real estate, a new venture, or socially significant projects.
• Gather your documents and monitor the Federal Migration Service’s website for a reopening of applications.
• Plan for the 183-day stay requirement and the Russian language exam if you aim for citizenship.

Taking these steps will position you to make the most of Russia’s unique investor visa—and open doors for your extended family.