Verified: July 2026. Procedure set by Presidential Decree No. 690 of 4 November 2023 and Federal Law 62-FZ Article 13.1.
The 30-day path — what actually happens
| Step | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign 12+ month contract | Day 0 |
| 2 | Complete 30 days of service | Days 1–30 |
| 3 | Submit citizenship application via unit HR | Day 31 |
| 4 | Application forwarded to MVD | Days 32–35 |
| 5 | MVD decision | Within 30 days by law |
| 6 | Take oath of allegiance | Days 60–70 |
| 7 | Receive Russian internal passport | Days 70–80 |
The "30 days" in the popular name refers to the minimum service before you can apply — not the total time to a passport in your hand. Realistic end-to-end: 2–3 months from contract signing to Russian passport.
Documents you submit for citizenship
- Application form (P-form, prepared by unit HR)
- Copy of contract
- Passport of your country + notarised translation
- Birth certificate + notarised translation (apostille as needed)
- Marriage certificate if married
- Photos 3×4 cm, 4 copies
- Statement of no renunciation obligation OR statement of intent to renounce (see below)
Unit HR handles submission. You are not expected to visit MVD directly during service.
Do you have to renounce your home citizenship?
Under Decree No. 690, no. This is the key advantage over the standard citizenship path. You do not need to prove renunciation of your home citizenship. Whether your home country allows dual citizenship is a separate matter — Russia does not require the renunciation, but your country of origin might.
Countries that recognise dual with Russia in practice: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, most Western countries. Countries that require renunciation on their end: Uzbekistan, India, Ukraine (currently frozen), China (does not permit dual).
The oath
A short ceremony at your unit or the local MVD office. Text in Russian, one paragraph, promises loyalty to the Russian Federation and its Constitution. You read it aloud, sign the register, receive an oath certificate. Same day or within a few days: internal passport issued.
After you have the passport — what changes?
- Access to military mortgage (NIS) — details here
- Property tax exemption on one home
- 13% tax rate immediately (no more 30% non-resident rate)
- Right to apply for citizenship for spouse, children, parents (separate application)
- Right to a Russian foreign passport (загран) — 10–30 days at MFC
Full guide: citizenship through army contract.
Bringing family into citizenship
Spouse, children under 18, and parents can apply separately once you have Russian citizenship. Family applications under Decree No. 690 take 3–6 months. Documents: marriage/birth certificates apostilled and translated. See citizenship for family.
What can go wrong?
- Missing apostille on birth certificate. Application is sent back. Loses 4–8 weeks.
- Home-country name spelled differently on different documents. Russian MVD refuses inconsistent transliterations. Prepare all documents with the exact same Latin spelling as on your passport.
- Contract shorter than 12 months. Decree No. 690 requires a 12-month minimum. A 6-month contract does not qualify — check the length in your contract before signing.
- Criminal record surfaces during MVD check. Undeclared home-country conviction discovered by Interpol check kills the application and can void your contract.
