Cancellation of a Permanent Residence Permit in Russia

A permanent residence permit grants a foreign national the right to reside in Russia on a permanent basis. In certain circumstances, however, this status may be lost — either at the initiative of the state authorities or upon the holder's own request. This article examines the principal grounds for cancellation of a permanent residence permit, as well as the voluntary renunciation procedure.

Grounds for Cancellation

An exhaustive list of grounds for cancelling a permanent residence permit is set out in Article 9 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ "On the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals in the Russian Federation." In addition to general grounds — such as breach of public order, submission of forged or falsified documents, and non-compliance with migration regulations — the law establishes specific conditions directly related to the permanent residence status itself.

Cancellation may be initiated where the foreign national is unable to support themselves and their family members in Russia at the subsistence minimum level, or where, after three years from the date of entry, they have not acquired residential premises in Russia on a legal basis. Cancellation is also possible where the individual has been outside Russia for a cumulative total of more than six months within a single calendar year, or where they contracted a fictitious marriage that served as the basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit.

An important ongoing requirement is the annual submission of a notification confirming continued residence in Russia. Failure to submit such notification for two consecutive years constitutes a ground for cancellation. For highly qualified and qualified specialists who obtained their permanent residence permit in connection with their employment, an additional ground arises where a new employment contract is not concluded within 30 working days of the termination of the previous one. Finally, a foreign national is entitled to initiate the cancellation procedure themselves by submitting a voluntary application.

Voluntary Cancellation Procedure

Where a foreign national decides to relinquish their permanent residence permit, they must apply in person to the Migration Affairs Division of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. In practice, it is advisable to notify the authority of one's intention in advance and to attend the office at the appointed time with the required set of documents.

The package typically includes a free-form written application, the original permanent residence permit, a notarised translation of the passport, and, in some cases, additional documents as requested by the inspecting officer. Once the application has been accepted, a decision is issued within 10 business days. A cancellation stamp is placed in the passport, and the permit document itself is voided by perforation and incision.

From the date on which the decision is issued, the foreign national has 15 days to depart from Russia. Failure to do so will result in deportation. Provided there are no other restrictions on entry, the individual may in the future apply for a visa or a new permanent residence permit on general grounds.

Conclusion

Cancellation of a permanent residence permit entails the termination of the right to permanent residence in Russia. It may occur either at the state's initiative, where the holder has breached immigration legislation or the conditions under which the status was granted, or at the foreign national's own request.

The most common grounds include extended periods of absence from Russia, failure to submit the annual residence confirmation, and the absence of legal income or housing. Voluntary renunciation of the status requires a personal application to the migration authorities, following which the individual must depart Russian territory within the prescribed time limit.