Migrants with criminal records will no longer be able to obtain Russian citizenship

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a measure under which foreigners with an outstanding or unexpunged conviction for any crime may be denied Russian citizenship or the right to reside in the country.

According to the document published on the official legal information portal, having a conviction for a crime committed either in Russia or abroad will become grounds for refusing to issue documents or for annulling previously issued ones.

This concerns temporary residence permits (RVP), RVPs for the purpose of obtaining an education, residence permits (VNZh), as well as applications for admission to Russian citizenship. The new rules will apply regardless of the severity of the crime committed.