The Federal Law aims to simplify the procedure of obtaining Russian citizenship for certain categories of people.
Under the document the following groups of persons are entitled to a simplified procedure of obtaining Russian citizenship:
- citizens of the USSR born on the territory of the Russian Federation;
- citizens of the former USSR who have arrived to the Russian Federation from the states that were part of the USSR and were registered as residents of the Russian Federation as of July 1, 2002 or had obtained a temporary residence permit in the Russian Federation, if they apply for Russian citizenship before January 1, 2006;
- disabled people who have arrived in the Russian Federation from the states which were formerly members of the USSR and registered as residents of the Russian Federation before July 1, 2002;
- persons living in the Russian Federation who have been married to citizens of the Russian Federation for at least three years or are disabled persons who have grown-up able-bodied children who are citizens of the Russian Federation;
- persons who have graduated from secondary specialised or higher education institutions in the Russian Federation and are citizens of the former Soviet Union states.
Veterans of the Second World War, including veterans who contributed to the war effort on the labour front, are among the categories who will enjoy a simplified procedure.
Under the Federal Law Russian citizenship will be available to citizens of the states which were former members of the USSR who have been serving under contract in the Russian Armed Forces and other military and security units for at least three years.