Russia Tightens Foreign Registration and Citizenship Rules

Officials in the Kaluga region backed Governor Vladislav Shapsha’s plan to strengthen how foreigners are registered in Russia. Shapsha shared the idea in her book and on a telegraph channel. The proposal suggests that when the number of square meters per person in a residence falls short of the legal minimum, registration of foreigners at that address should be blocked. The aim is to curb the emergence of so‑called rubber apartments, where living space is misrepresented to satisfy regulatory thresholds. In addition, the proposal calls for tightening the path to Russian citizenship under a simplified process, arguing that a solid duration of residence should be a prerequisite for eligibility. The position stresses that relatives of a new citizen should have lived in Russia for a minimum period of five years to qualify for citizenship through an accelerated program, reinforcing the broader goal of meaningful integration. The discussion appears alongside researchers from the Higher School of Economics who have long studied Russia’s demographic needs. They have examined how immigration could influence population levels, with estimates suggesting the country would need to attract between roughly 390,000 and 1.1 million new residents each year to stabilize the population around 146 million. This work, conducted by scholars from the Institute of Demographics and published through the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Valery Yumaguzin and Maria Vinnik, has appeared in the New Economic Association journal. Attribution: Institute of Demographics; New Economic Association. These figures reflect ongoing research into migration policy and demographic trends, drawing on analyses of housing, citizenship, and integration dynamics across large, diverse populations. Many observers see the reforms as part of a broader shift in how Russia approaches residency status and citizenship, with implications for urban planning, social cohesion, and long‑term population strategy. By aligning registration rules with housing standards and requiring longer residency for facilitated citizenship, policymakers aim to strengthen orderly settlement, ensure accurate demographic accounting, and support fuller citizen engagement. The dialogue underscores that immigration policy decisions are intertwined with housing regulation, social integration, and the practicalities of national identity formation, particularly as societies in North America and Europe continue to monitor migration patterns and their local impacts. The overall aim is to create a more transparent, accountable framework that balances the needs of newcomers with the realities of housing markets and community life, while keeping in mind the broader demographic outlook for Russia and its neighboring regions.