Putin signs law tightening rules for migrants with criminal records

Migrants with any criminal conviction will be barred from obtaining Russian citizenship or the right to reside in Russia, Report informs, citing Russian media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the relevant law.

Under the law, foreign nationals will be denied citizenship, as well as temporary residence permits and permanent residence permits, if they have an unexpunged or outstanding conviction for any crime.

Under the rules in force before the law's entry into force, foreign nationals are denied citizenship if they have a conviction for intentional crimes. Temporary residence permits and residence permits are denied only to those convicted of serious or especially serious crimes.

The new law provides that citizenship and residence permits will not be issued to foreign nationals with an unexpunged or outstanding conviction for any crime. If such documents have already been issued, they will be canceled if an outstanding conviction is identified.

At the same time, the document states that the new rules will not apply to foreign nationals who have been recognized as refugees or granted political asylum in Russia.

The law also introduces new requirements for applications for temporary and permanent residence permits. Migrants will have to submit a paper document either confirming the absence of a criminal record or containing information on the crimes for which they were convicted.

The law will enter into force 180 days after its publication.