Russian Citizenship in 30 Days under Decree №690: Step-by-Step Guide for Contractors

What Decree №690 is and why it's the fast track

Presidential Decree №690 (issued 04.01.2024, in force in 2026) sets a simplified procedure for admission to Russian citizenship for foreigners who sign a contract with the Armed Forces. Key differences from the standard procedure:

• Timeline — 30 days instead of 1 year.
• No residence permit required.
• No exam on Russian language, history or law.
• Citizenship is granted simultaneously to spouse, children and parents.

1. Who can apply

Requirements for the contractor:

• Age 18–65.
• Valid passport of the home country.
• Signed contract with the Russian Armed Forces for at least 1 year (see eligibility requirements).
• No unresolved criminal record in Russia.
• No active entry ban.

2. Documents to submit

Minimum package:

1. Application form (2 copies).
2. Foreign passport + notarised Russian translation.
3. Copy of the Russian army contract.
4. 3 photos 3×4 cm.
5. Birth certificate.
6. Marriage certificate (if applying for a spouse).
7. Documents for children and parents (if applying for family).
8. Proof of state fee payment (often waived for military personnel).

For the full documents checklist at the contract application stage, see Russian army recruitment requirements.

3. Timeline for each stage

Stage	Duration
Submission of documents to the unit	1 day
Background check (MVD + FSB)	15–20 days
Decision on admission to citizenship	up to 30 days
Oath of citizenship	1 day
Issue of Russian passport	5–10 days

Total from submission to passport: 30–45 calendar days.

4. Oath and passport issuance

After a positive decision:

1. The contractor takes the oath of a Russian citizen (public ceremony in the unit).
2. MVD issues a certificate of admission to citizenship.
3. The migration department issues the internal Russian passport.
4. Optionally — international passport and SNILS.

5. Citizenship for family

One contract grants citizenship to:

• Spouse — with a valid marriage.
• Minor children — by joint application of the parents.
• Parents of the contractor — with documented proof of relationship.

Timelines for family — the same 30 days. Relatives may be either in Russia or abroad: submission is also possible through a consulate.

6. Common rejection reasons and how to avoid them

• Document errors — translations without notarisation, name mismatches between passport and birth certificate.
• Unresolved criminal record in Russia — must be closed before submission.
• Expired passport — home countries rarely reissue quickly; renew in advance.
• Active entry ban — lifted through court, plan at least +60 days.
• False information — permanent refusal with no right to reapply for 5 years.

A dedicated breakdown of contract rejection reasons: Honest guide to Russian citizenship through army.

7. What to do next

Citizenship is the second step after signing the contract. Submit an application — a coordinator will guide you from document submission to receiving the Russian passport and help arrange citizenship for your family.

Start your path to Russian citizenship →

See also: contractor & family benefits, service conditions 2026, 4 steps from application to contract.