Russia cancels over 2,300 residence permits linked to sham marriages in 2025

In 2025, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs annulled more than 2,300 residence permits and temporary residence permits issued to foreigners who had entered into marriages of convenience with Russian citizens to secure legal status.

Of the cancelled documents, 765 were residence permits and 1,545 were temporary residence permits. By comparison, just over 200 such permits were revoked in 2024, highlighting a sharp rise in enforcement.

“Since the start of 2025, the Interior Ministry has revoked 765 residence permits and 1,545 temporary residence permits that had been obtained through marriages with Russian citizens, following the dissolution of these unions,” said Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk.

The increase follows legislative reforms passed by the State Duma in October 2024, which tightened the procedure for obtaining temporary residence permits.

Under the new law, foreigners married to Russian citizens can apply for a temporary residence permit only three years after their marriage is registered in the civil registry office.

The amendments took effect on January 25, 2025. Previously, applicants could submit for a permit as soon as the day after registering their marriage.

By Tamilla Hasanova