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Russia Scraps Golden Visa Stay Requirement · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Russia has eliminated the six-month annual presence requirement for its Golden Visa Programme.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: According to Federal Law No.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: 115 FZ, the exemption applies to all permanent residence permits issued under Article 8, Paragraph 2, subparagraph 17 of the Federal Statute.
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_00: This provision covers foreign citizens who have made investments in Russia and extends to spouses, children, including adopted, spouses of children, parents, including adoptive, spouses of parents, grandparents, and grandchildren.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: While Article 9, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 11 mandates that standard permanent residence permits can be revoked if holders remain outside Russia for more than six months in a calendar year, golden visa holders face different rules.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: Article 9, paragraph 8, subparagraph 4 lists the specific revocation grounds applicable to investment-based permits, and the six-month absence clause is not among them.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: Russian migration law operates on exhaustive statutory lists rather than discretionary interpretation.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: Absence of the six-month rule from the applicable revocation grounds means golden visa holders cannot lose their status solely for extended time abroad.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: The adjustment appears to have been implemented quietly, without formal government announcement or public notice.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: Ilya Belobragin, managing director of MovetoRussia.com, which consults with Russian authorities on the program, confirmed the legal interpretation in recent guidance to investors.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: Russia's Golden Visa has underperformed since its January 2023 launch, attracting 40 investors against an initial target of 300 to 400 applications annually, according to RBC reporting earlier this year.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: Applications dropped from 24 in 2023 to 14 in 2024, with only two investors applying in early 2025.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: Bella Bragin views the zero-stay structure as a major enhancement to the program's competitive position.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Adult applicants between 18 and 65 for men and 18 and 63 for women must still pass a Russian language test, a requirement that appears unique among major residents by investment programs globally.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_00: If authorities remove the language requirement, Belabragin believes Russia would offer one of the most family-inclusive and attractive golden visa opportunities with zero stay requirements, perfect as a plan B for investors seeking contingency residence without relocation.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: For now, however, the language requirement remains in force under current regulations.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: This episode first appeared as an article by Ahmad Abbas on IMIDaily.com.
• 2:45
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• 2:52
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