Temporary Residence Permits Under Presidential Decree No. 702: What Changes for Foreign Nationals in 2026

Presidential Decree No. 702, issued on August 19, 2024, introduced a special immigration pathway for foreign nationals who wish to move to Russia for permanent residence and share traditional spiritual and moral values.

For many applicants, a temporary residence permit, commonly referred to by its Russian abbreviation RVP, is the first step toward building a long-term life in Russia.

That makes the question of what happens as the permit approaches expiration far more than an administrative detail. Anyone planning to remain in the country needs to understand when the next application can be filed and how to avoid unnecessary gaps in immigration status.

One of the most important changes is that certain foreign nationals will be allowed to apply for a new RVP while their current permit is still valid.

The new procedure applies to foreign nationals who entered Russia on a visa and already hold a temporary residence permit.

They will have a specific filing window: an application for a new RVP may be submitted no earlier than six months and no later than four months before the current permit expires.

In practical terms, applicants will no longer have to wait until their existing permit is about to expire before starting the process again. They will be able to prepare and submit the next application well in advance.

For people who intend to continue living in Russia, this makes it easier to plan their immigration status without leaving everything until the final months of the current permit.

Previously, holders of an RVP issued under Decree No. 702 still had to decide what status they would pursue next, but there was no equivalent statutory window allowing them to apply for another RVP before the current one expired. Preparing a new application could also involve collecting supporting documents again.

Once a new temporary residence permit is issued, the previous one ceases to be valid.

This is an important distinction: the procedure is not an extension of the existing permit. The applicant receives a new RVP.

That means permit holders should keep track of two separate dates: when the current RVP expires and when the new permit is issued.

Until the new RVP has actually been granted, the existing permit continues to have legal effect in accordance with the applicable rules.

Another practical change concerns the documents required for a new application.

A foreign national applying for another RVP under the new procedure will not have to submit a new police clearance certificate confirming the absence of a criminal record.

This removes one document that would otherwise have to be obtained again and makes preparation of a repeat application somewhat simpler.

The requirement to provide this document also does not apply to:

• children under the age of 14;
• individuals recognized as refugees in Russia;
• individuals granted political or temporary asylum in Russia;
• foreign nationals serving under contract in the Russian Armed Forces or other military formations;
• former contract service members who took part in combat operations.

At the same time, the legislation introduces stricter consequences for foreign nationals with an unexpunged or outstanding criminal conviction.

Under the new rules, such a conviction for an offense committed either in Russia or abroad may affect a foreign national’s immigration status.

Depending on the circumstances, it may become grounds for refusing or canceling:

• a temporary residence permit;
• a temporary residence permit issued for educational purposes;
• a residence permit.

For foreign nationals planning to obtain or maintain long-term status in Russia, this is a significant change.

The transitional provisions are particularly important for foreign nationals who already hold a valid temporary residence permit or residence permit.

The new cancellation rules will not automatically be applied retroactively to every case that arose before the legislation changed.

For existing RVPs and residence permits, the new criminal-record-related grounds will apply to offenses committed after the relevant amendments enter into force.

In other words, the adoption of the new legislation does not by itself invalidate a temporary residence permit or residence permit that has already been issued.

If, however, a foreign national commits an offense after the new rules take effect, any consequences for their immigration status will be assessed under the amended legislation.

The law was signed and officially published on August 4, 2026.

The amendments do not take effect immediately. The legislation provides for a 180-day period from the date of official publication, which means the new provisions are expected to begin applying around February 2027.

Until then, the existing rules remain in force.

For foreign nationals already living in Russia and planning their next immigration application, the effective date matters just as much as the substance of the amendments.

Applications submitted before the changes take effect will be considered under the legislation and transitional rules in force at the relevant time.

The 2026 amendments give eligible RVP holders more room to plan ahead. Instead of waiting for the current permit to expire, certain foreign nationals will be able to apply for a new RVP during a defined period before the end of its validity.

The repeat application process will also become somewhat simpler because a new police clearance certificate will not be required in the cases covered by the new rules.

At the same time, the legislation introduces stricter consequences for foreign nationals with an unexpunged or outstanding criminal conviction.

For people who received an RVP under Presidential Decree No. 702, the practical lesson is straightforward: the expiration date should no longer be treated simply as a deadline to deal with later. It should serve as the starting point for planning the next stage of legal residence in Russia well in advance.

If your RVP is approaching expiration, it is worth reviewing the available options early. Depending on your circumstances, the next step may be another temporary residence permit, a residence permit, or a different legal basis for remaining in Russia.

Specialists at OKA Agency can assist with reviewing the available options and preparing the next stage of the immigration process based on your individual situation.