MOSCOW, November 10. /TASS/. More than 4,300 EU an US citizens have applied for temporary residence permits in Russia since the procedure for obtaining them was simplified, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said.
"In addition, a presidential decree has significantly simplified the procedure for obtaining temporary residence permits for certain categories of individuals from unfriendly countries. This applies to those willing to relocate because they disagree with their countries’ policies. Since this mechanism was implemented, more than 4,300 applications have been received, primarily from citizens of the European Union, the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Canada," he said when appearing at the Federation Council, or upper house of parliament.
According to the minister, their share in the overall number of those who moved to Russia has increased by 15% since 2022. "Their share in the total number of migrants rose from 1% in 2022 to 15% in 2026. After all, a 15% increase over four years represents a fairly significant trend and growth. Moreover, more than 4,000 foreigners, mostly from Western Europe and those who share our spiritual and moral values, have been granted temporary residence permits. And the ministry’s passport and visa service is focused on providing maximum assistance to such foreign citizens. This includes dedicated service windows and a personalized approach. But most importantly, we try to minimize bureaucratic procedures as much as possible and expedite the process of their return to their historical homeland," Kolokoltsev stated.