Ministry of Internal Affairs has prepared a draft amendment to the rules of repatriation

Repatriates will not need to take an exam in Russian

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is going to simplify the process of repatriation of former compatriots and their descendants. On Monday, May 29, the department submitted for public discussion a draft decree of the President of Russia necessary for this.

The main innovation proposed by the ministry is the definition of the official status of a repatriate. This can be a compatriot who has expressed a desire to move to Russia.

The document defines 4 categories of such people. These are, firstly, citizens of the Russian Federation who permanently resided abroad before the start of the special military operation, and secondly, former citizens of the Russian Federation.

The third category is persons born or permanently residing on the territory of the RSFSR and who in the past were citizens of the former USSR.

Finally, the fourth category is those who have or had relatives in a direct ascending line, who were born or permanently resided on the territory of the RSFSR or the territory that belonged to the Russian Empire or the USSR, within the state border of the Russian Federation, and at the same time had the corresponding citizenship . These people will be able to become our fellow citizens in a simplified manner. In particular, they will not have to pass the Russian language exam, which is common for persons who obtain Russian citizenship. They will be able to settle in any subject of the Federation of their choice.

The draft decree also defines the categories of those who cannot be granted the status of a repatriate. These are, in particular, those who advocate the violent overthrow of the foundations of the constitutional order or pose a threat to the security of Russia and its citizens in another way.

Also, those who, according to the authorities, are planning, financing or facilitating terrorist attacks, cannot hope for repatriation. Those who, for some reason, were expelled from the borders of Russia during the 5 years preceding the application, will also not be able to take part in the program.

The restriction applies to criminals, persistent offenders and some other undesirable persons. And it will be possible to lose the status of a repatriate, even if a person initially chooses a certain region for residence, but before obtaining citizenship, he moves to another subject of the Federation, and also if he leaves the country’s borders.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 29039 dated May 30, 2023

Newspaper headline:
They want to refuse repatriation to Russia for persistent offenders