Russian Residency by Investment in 2026: A Complete Guide for Foreign Investors

Russia offers several investment-based routes to a residence permit. For investors interested in financial assets, one route involves an investment of at least RUB 30 million in a qualifying Russian company. This guide compares the routes, explains brokerage and funding arrangements, and outlines the immigration process.

1. What is Russian residency by investment?

Federal Law No. 115-FZ and Government Resolution No. 2573 provide an investment-based basis on which eligible foreign nationals may apply for a Russian residence permit without first obtaining a temporary residence permit. This is a residence permit route, not citizenship by investment. Immigration approval remains the responsibility of the competent authorities.

2. Investment routes: a comparison

Resolution No. 2573 provides several distinct criteria. The thresholds and additional requirements differ:

For real estate, the published regional thresholds are RUB 50 million in Moscow, RUB 20 million in the Far Eastern Federal District and RUB 25 million in other regions. The qualifying amount is based on cadastral value, not necessarily the purchase price.

Route A — Socially significant regional projects

Under the regional-project route, a foreign investor may qualify through an investment of at least RUB 15 million in socially significant projects in Russian regions during the three years preceding the application. The relevant regional authority must confirm that the project and investment satisfy the applicable criteria.

Route B — Establishing and operating a Russian business

Entrepreneurs who establish and operate a qualifying Russian legal entity may be eligible under a separate criterion. This route is based on actual business activity, the required operating period and fiscal contributions, rather than merely registering a company. The applicable test includes at least RUB 4 million in qualifying annual taxes and contributions.

Route C — Investment in an established Russian company

This route concerns an investment of at least RUB 30 million in a qualifying Russian legal entity. The company must have conducted business in Russia for at least three years and satisfy the relevant RUB 6 million tax-and-contribution test for the preceding calendar year. The corporate investment route is explored in detail below.

Route D — Russian real estate

For qualifying real estate, the cadastral-value thresholds vary by region. The property must meet the relevant acquisition requirements, including the applicable construction or commissioning conditions, and must have been held continuously for at least one year before the application. The cadastral valuation can differ materially from the price paid by the investor.

3. The RUB 30 million share investment route

Subparagraph «в» of the investment criteria is particularly relevant to foreign investors considering ownership of shares in an existing Russian company. The qualifying Russian legal entity must satisfy the applicable operating-history and fiscal-activity tests. The assessment procedure refers to documents confirming share acquisition and the investor's actual expenditure.

Shares are financial assets, rather than fees paid for immigration services. They may offer dividend income and future sale proceeds, but they also carry market, liquidity and currency risk. The purchase price alone does not establish eligibility: the company, investment structure, timing and supporting evidence must all be reviewed.

What should investors check before selecting a company?

• Investment amount: the documented qualifying investment must meet the RUB 30 million threshold.
• Operating history: the issuer must satisfy the minimum three-year business activity requirement.
• Fiscal activity: qualifying taxes, fees and social contributions must meet the relevant RUB 6 million test.
• Transaction evidence: the investor must be able to substantiate share acquisition and actual expenditure with appropriate records.
• Investment suitability: expected dividends, valuation, market liquidity and downside risks require separate financial analysis.

Why consider shares rather than real estate or a new business?

Shares may offer ownership in an established operating company without the operational responsibilities of founding a new business or the management obligations associated with real estate. Securities can also provide a documented transaction trail through a broker and custodian. None of these characteristics guarantees investment performance or immigration approval; eligibility must be assessed against the statutory investment criterion.

4. Can foreign nationals buy Russian stocks?

Eligible foreign nationals may access permitted Russian securities through licensed Russian brokers, subject to their citizenship, residence, sanctions and regulatory restrictions, client verification and the available payment and custody infrastructure. Before opening an account, assess both the investment and how money can lawfully reach the account and later be transferred.

Practical access and settlement questions

Opening a Russian brokerage account as a foreign national is not identical to opening a domestic retail account. Citizenship, country of residence, identity verification, applicable restrictions, custody arrangements and funding channels can affect the available services. A transaction that is permitted under Russian rules may still face restrictions imposed by the investor's home jurisdiction or the banks involved.

Before committing capital, an investor should establish where the funds will originate, which institutions will process the transfers, how securities ownership will be recorded, and what arrangements may be available for dividends or sale proceeds.

5. Type “In” accounts for foreign investors

Presidential Decree No. 436 of 1 July 2025 introduced a special framework for certain new foreign investments. Subsequent Bank of Russia decisions govern the operation of Type “In” accounts, including relevant banking, brokerage and custody arrangements.

The regime supports permitted investments in Russian securities with separate accounting for qualifying funds and assets. It also provides for transfers of eligible investment proceeds, including abroad, under the applicable rules. This differs from the more restrictive Type “C” framework; the account types are not interchangeable.

Assets held under a different regime do not automatically become eligible Type “In” investments. Before funding an account, investors should confirm the proposed payment route, asset eligibility and the practical ability to receive proceeds through their financial institutions.

The two regimes serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable. The comparison below is a high-level summary; the legal treatment of a particular asset or transfer depends on the applicable regulations.

Type “In” vs Type “C” Accounts

Opening a Type “In” account with Investica

Investica LLC is a Russian licensed securities broker and Moscow Exchange member. For eligible foreign clients, Investica offers brokerage services using the Type “In” framework. The process includes identification, compliance checks, account and custody arrangements, eligible funding, securities execution and provision of transaction records.

International Funding Solutions

Funding Russian securities investments can be challenging when direct cross-border bank transfers are unavailable. Through its network of international brokerage partners, Investica can assist eligible clients in assessing arrangements for investment funding, including transfers between brokerage accounts in different jurisdictions.

Available arrangements depend on the investor's circumstances and are subject to applicable law, sanctions restrictions, source-of-funds checks, compliance requirements and acceptance by every financial institution involved. Using an intermediary does not override restrictions applicable to the client or the ultimate transaction.

Transfers of proceeds abroad are subject to the same need for careful advance planning: an account regime permitting a transfer does not mean every overseas bank will accept it.

What does the Type “In” regime cover?

Depending on the transaction and the relevant account type, the regulatory framework can encompass banking accounts, brokerage accounts and securities custody arrangements. It provides separate treatment for eligible new foreign investment funds and securities. Permitted instruments may include Russian shares, government bonds, certain corporate bonds and investment fund units, subject to the applicable rules.

Funding and repatriation: what the rules do — and do not — guarantee

The Type “In” framework is designed to permit specified transfers of qualifying investment funds and proceeds, including transfers abroad. That regulatory permission is distinct from the operational willingness of any particular bank or intermediary to execute a payment. Currency availability, bank policies, sanctions, source-of-funds checks and the rules applicable to the investor must all be considered.

International brokerage partners may offer additional compliant routes for eligible clients to fund investment accounts, including transfers between accounts held in different jurisdictions. The full funding route and ultimate destination of the funds must be transparent to the financial institutions and disclosed wherever required.

6. Illustrative RUB 30 million investment process

1. Assess eligibility: review the investor's citizenship, residence and proposed investment.
2. Evaluate the issuer: verify the Russian company's operating history and qualifying tax payments.
3. Arrange brokerage and funding: complete Investica onboarding, establish appropriate accounts and confirm permissible payment channels.
4. Purchase shares: execute the eligible transaction and retain brokerage and custody evidence.
5. Obtain investment assessment: submit supporting documents through the relevant Ministry of Economic Development procedure.
6. Apply for residence: complete the separate immigration application with the competent Russian authorities.

The Ministry's published investment-assessment procedure refers to a period of up to 30 working days for notifying the applicant and immigration authorities of its assessment. This is not a guaranteed end-to-end residence permit processing time.

Step 1 — Identify a potentially qualifying company

Review the Russian company's operating history, financial activity and relevant tax payments against the investment criterion. The decision to invest should also reflect the investor's own risk tolerance.

Step 2 — Complete onboarding and determine the funding route

The investor provides identity and compliance documentation to Investica. Where applicable, the account and funding arrangements are organized under the Type “In” framework, with the relevant institutions confirming their requirements.

Step 3 — Purchase and record the securities

Once the account is funded and trading is permitted, the selected securities can be acquired. Brokerage confirmations, custody statements and payment records form part of the investment evidence.

Step 4 — Prepare evidence for the authorities

Alongside the transaction records, the investor gathers the corporate information and other supporting documents required by the investment assessment procedure.

Step 5 — Request investment eligibility assessment

The investor submits the relevant materials to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development for assessment against the investment criteria. This is a distinct stage from the immigration application itself.

Step 6 — Apply for the residence permit

After the relevant investment assessment and subject to the immigration requirements, the investor proceeds with the residence permit application through the competent authorities. The investment and the account opening do not independently guarantee approval.

7. Documentation and proof of investment

Evidence may include identity documents, company registry information, share acquisition documents, proof of actual expenditure, and other corporate and transaction records required by the assessment procedure. Brokerage and depositary statements can help document the acquisition, but they may not satisfy every legal requirement by themselves.

Documents for the corporate investment route

• Identity documents and materials required for the immigration application.
• An extract from the Russian Unified State Register of Legal Entities (EGRUL), where required.
• Documents evidencing acquisition of the relevant shares and actual expenditure.
• Brokerage confirmations and custody records relating to the transaction.
• Relevant corporate and fiscal information used to assess the qualifying company.
• Any further documents requested under the applicable administrative procedure.

The Ministry of Economic Development's published guidance describes an investment-criteria assessment period of up to 30 working days from receipt of the application. This should not be confused with the total time required to obtain a residence permit.

8. Residence rights, family and ongoing obligations

A Russian residence permit generally provides a basis for long-term residence and work under the rules for permanent residents. Holders must comply with applicable notification, travel and residence requirements. Prolonged absences can have immigration consequences.

Spouses and children may have separate residence options under Russian immigration law. A qualifying investor's residence permit does not automatically grant identical status to every family member. Family eligibility should be assessed individually.

Rights associated with a residence permit

Subject to the relevant legal rules, a Russian residence permit can support long-term residence, employment without a separate work permit under the general rules for permanent residents, business activity and travel in and out of Russia. It does not confer citizenship or rights reserved to Russian citizens.

Residence obligations and family applications

Residence permit holders may be subject to ongoing notification duties and restrictions on extended absences. Family members may have separate residence options, but eligibility, timing and documentation must be assessed individually. A qualifying investment by one family member does not automatically grant permits to all relatives.

9. Tax and investment considerations

Russian shares may generate dividends or capital gains subject to relevant Russian tax rules and potentially taxation in the investor's home jurisdiction. Immigration residence and tax residence are different concepts. Tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances, applicable treaties and transaction structures.

Investors should also evaluate volatility, dividend uncertainty, custody arrangements, liquidity, exchange rates and restrictions on payments or securities transfers.

Dividends and capital gains

Russian-company dividends may be subject to withholding tax. The treatment of gains on securities sales depends on the security, transaction, the investor's tax status and applicable domestic law. Tax treaties and foreign-jurisdiction obligations may also be relevant.

Immigration status versus tax residency

Holding a residence permit does not automatically make an individual a Russian tax resident. Tax residence is determined under separate rules, including physical-presence criteria. Investors should also check whether their country of residence taxes worldwide income and how double-taxation relief may operate.

Financial and regulatory risks

Shares carry price volatility, dividend uncertainty and liquidity risk. Currency fluctuations and regulatory or payment restrictions can affect both the initial investment and the ability to realize proceeds. An immigration objective should not substitute for independent investment due diligence.

10. Frequently asked questions

11. Why Investica?

Foreign investors may need regulated securities execution, custody, investment documentation and a workable account-funding plan. Investica provides Russian brokerage services and can discuss Type “In” arrangements and available international brokerage partnerships with eligible clients. Immigration eligibility and the decision to grant a residence permit remain with the Russian authorities.

12. Official legal references

• Government Resolution No. 2573 of 31 December 2022 — investment criteria, including subparagraph «в».
• Federal Law No. 115-FZ of 25 July 2002 — legal status of foreign citizens.
• Government Resolution No. 1375 of 23 August 2023 — investment assessment procedure.
• Presidential Decree No. 436 of 1 July 2025 — additional guarantees for foreign investors.
• Bank of Russia decisions of 31 July 2025 — Type “In” account framework.

Rules may change. Investors should confirm the current legal text, the proposed investment's eligibility and any applicable home-jurisdiction restrictions before proceeding.