Policy shift on residence for former Russian citizens and renewed civic dialogue
A recent policy proposal from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation suggests that individuals who have lost their Russian citizenship could be allowed to remain in Russia for a period of 15 to 90 days. The proposal, reported by the publication News, envisions a framework that would make it possible for such people to stay temporarily while their legal status is sorted out.
According to the article, the Council of Ministers has endorsed the draft law crafted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The document outlines a time-bound stay for those who have relinquished their citizenship, with the exact duration to be determined by specific circumstances. It also touches on a streamlined process for issuing residence permits to individuals who have close, lasting ties to regions within the country, particularly where their family members reside. The text mentions ties to areas once part of the Russian Empire or the USSR, signaling a continuity of regional belonging in the policy framework.
Vladimir Gruzdev, the chair of the Board of the Russian Lawyers Union, commented on transitional provisions included in the bill. He noted that the policy anticipates a scenario where people have no clear legal status in Russia after citizenship has been terminated or a decision to grant citizenship has been revoked. His remarks reflect concern about the practical consequences for individuals who find themselves legally uncertain while in the country during the transition.
Earlier, Valery Fadeev, who leads the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights in Russia, reminded the public of the council’s stance on admission policies for children who do not speak Russian. The dialogue around language and education remains a central element in debates over how newcomers and returnees integrate into Russian schools and communities.
Expert voices, including former officials from the Higher School of Economics, have suggested that Russia may need to admit around 1.1 million immigrants annually to sustain population levels. This projection underscores the broader demographic context driving discussions about citizenship, residency, and the country’s long term labor and social needs. It also highlights the tension between upholding sovereign policy choices and addressing the practical realities of migration and family reunification within the national framework. Such numbers contribute to a larger conversation about who belongs, how belonging is defined, and what it means to participate in the social and economic life of the nation. Taken together, these developments illustrate a moment of policy recalibration in which citizenship status, residency rights, and educational access are being reexamined in light of demographic pressures and evolving civic priorities. The ongoing public discourse points to a nuanced approach where temporary stays, streamlined permits, and clear transitional rules are positioned as essential elements of a broader strategy for social cohesion and national resilience. Source: News.