What changed in the exam in 2026
The main change is simple: from 1 January 2026 the exam is taken on a computer only, using computer and remote technologies. There are no paper forms any more.
The second change matters more for preparation, though it is discussed less: the tasks are updated at least once a month. This means that the lists of "real exam questions" sold online go out of date within weeks — even if they were genuine at some point.
What this is based on
There is in fact not one exam but two, and they are governed by different documents. This is not a formality: figures from one cannot be carried over to the other.
- Work patent, work permit, temporary residence, residence permit — Decree of the Government of Russia of 31 May 2021 No. 824. In force as amended; the latest amendments are of 7 December 2024 and 28 May 2025.
- Citizenship — a separate Government decree of 31 July 2025 No. 1136. Two independent exams are approved for citizenship: one in the Russian language and one in Russian history with the fundamentals of legislation.
The obligation itself to demonstrate command of Russian and knowledge of history and the fundamentals of legislation is established by Article 15.1 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ. That law does not state the validity period of the certificate — it is set by the Government, so it has to be looked for in the decree.
Where the official materials are
The official sample papers and the open task bank are published at inostr-exam.fipi.ru. There are four levels: patent and work permit, temporary residence, residence permit, citizenship.
The sample paper is published together with the marking criteria — that is where the required score is stated. It is worth opening once yourself: second-hand accounts online disagree with each other, while the primary source is free and public.
What follows from this
What follows for someone preparing:
- Train on a computer, not on paper printouts. The answer format in the exam is now on screen.
- Memorising specific questions is pointless. The bank changes monthly; understanding the topic works, remembering wordings does not.
- Check the requirements for your own purpose. The patent, temporary residence, residence permit and citizenship have different requirements, and since 2025 citizenship also has a separate decree.
Frequently asked questions
Can the exam now be taken from home?
No. "Computer and remote technologies" describe the form of the tasks and the marking, not the place. The exam is administered by state institutions on the Government's list, and that is where you have to go.
Has my old certificate stopped being valid?
No, a change in the form of the exam does not cancel certificates already issued. The validity period is stated on the certificate itself.
Have the tasks got harder?
It is too early to judge, and we will not: you have to compare sample papers from different years, not second-hand accounts. The sample papers are openly available at the link above.
Why is there no number of tasks or pass mark on this page?
Because we publish only figures verified against a decree or a sample paper. Open sources currently carry three different sets of them, and they disagree. A figure that makes a person misplan their money and timings is worse than no figure.
Verified on 8 September 2026 against the details of the legal acts. The numbers of tasks and scores will appear here once checked against the official sample papers. This page was machine-translated and has not yet been edited by a native speaker.