In the end of 2026, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepared a draft law that would significantly change the current notification rules for Russian citizens who obtain a residence permit (VNZH) abroad. As of now, this remains a draft law, but it has passed public consultation and is planned to take effect in the future.

The main change concerns the procedure for filing a notification. Under current rules, Russian citizens who receive a foreign residence permit must notify the relevant authorities within 60 days of returning to Russia. The new draft law would require citizens to submit the notification within 60 days of receiving the foreign residence permit, regardless of where the citizen is located—whether in Russia or abroad. The notification would need to be filed directly with a Russian consulate or diplomatic mission overseas.

Another important change is the extension of criminal liability to all citizens who fail to meet the notification requirement. Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code, which currently applies only to those who have returned to Russia, would, after the amendments are adopted, apply regardless of the offender's place of residence. The penalty under this article includes a fine of up to 200,000 rubles or compulsory labor for up to 400 hours.

For citizens who already hold a foreign residence permit or second citizenship at the time the law takes effect, a one-year transitional period is proposed, during which they will need to file a notification about their status.

 The changes are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2028. Therefore, until that time, the current rules remain in effect. However, all Russian citizens who hold or plan to obtain a residence permit abroad are advised to closely monitor this legislative initiative and prepare for stricter requirements starting in 2028.