Putin bars migrants with criminal records from Russian citizenship

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation preventing foreign nationals with criminal convictions from obtaining Russian citizenship or legal residency, tightening the country's immigration rules.

The law, published on Russia's official legal portal on August 4, applies to foreign nationals and stateless persons with unspent or outstanding criminal convictions for offences committed either in Russia or abroad.

Under the new rules, such convictions will serve as grounds for refusing applications for temporary residence permits and permanent residence permits.

The legislation also introduces a new documentation requirement for migrants aged 14 and above. Applicants must provide a criminal record certificate issued by the authorities in their country of origin no more than three months before submitting their application.

Several categories are exempt from the restrictions, including children under the age of 14, refugees, foreign nationals serving under military contracts, and individuals who have participated in combat operations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev