MOSCOW. Jan 28 (Interfax) - Some 16.5-17 million immigrants are arriving in Russia each year, and nearly 500,000 foreigners and stateless persons were naturalized in 2019, head of the Russian Interior Ministry's Immigration Department Maj. Gen. Valentina Kazakova said on Tuesday.
"The yearly rates of immigration to Russia have been stable in recent years, about 16.5-17 million. There are about 10 million foreigners in Russia on a daily basis. Most of them, about 70%, are CIS citizens. We are also visited by Europeans and citizens of other countries. People come to Russia on private visits, as tourists, or for work," Kazakova said in an interview published by the newspaper Izvestia on Tuesday.
"As for illegal immigration, we are reducing the number of illegal immigrants by facilitating certain procedures and acquisition of various statuses," she said.
"A substantial number of workers gained legal status after a patent system was put in place for CIS citizens. We issue about 1.7 million permits per year. Regional budgets gain approximately 60 billion rubles as a result. In turn, foreign citizens feel free: they receive their permits and have no worries while working. Another significant factor is work permits for highly skilled specialists," Kazakova said.
"Nearly 500,000 foreign citizens and stateless persons were naturalized by Russia last year," she said.
"Compared to 2018, when the number stood at 270,000, we can see that the ranks of persons wishing [to become Russian citizens] have grown 85%. Primarily, these are citizens of Ukraine. They account for a hefty part of naturalized persons, about 300,000. Citizens of Kazakhstan rank second, at about 51,000. They are followed by citizens of Tajikistan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Armenia," Kazakova said.
"Immigrants are also playing a role" in solving Russia's demographic problem, she said.
"Of course, the 500,000 foreign citizens and stateless persons naturalized by Russia have increased our population by half a million. Most of them are persons who are capable of working," Kazakova said.