A refusal of an application for citizenship of the Russian Federation does not automatically mean deportation from the country. A denial of citizenship does not cancel your residence permit (VNJ) or other legal status. In such a situation, the most important thing is to obtain a written decision from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs stating the reasons for the refusal.
In 2026, there are 6 main reasons for refusing citizenship: errors in documents or false information, a criminal record or criminal prosecution, lack of a legal source of income or insufficient language proficiency, a ban on entry to Russia, a threat to state security, and service in the military or law enforcement agencies of another state.
It should be kept in mind that starting from July 26, 2026, a state fee of 50,000 rubles is charged when applying for citizenship. If the application is rejected, this amount is not refunded, and it must be paid again when reapplying. If the reason for the refusal is a fixable issue, such as an error in documents or lack of income, you can correct it and submit a new application immediately. If the reason is related to forged documents or security issues, reapplying is permitted only after at least one year.
If you believe the refusal decision is illegal, you can appeal it to a higher-level Ministry of Internal Affairs body or a district administrative court. The complaint must be filed within 3 months from the date of receiving the refusal decision. While the complaint is being reviewed, your legal status in Russia remains in effect.
We remind you that men aged 18 to 65 (except for citizens of Belarus) are required to provide additional documents related to military service to obtain citizenship. It is recommended to verify all information and seek legal advice before applying.
