MOSCOW, November 26 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian government will issue 159,515 temporary residence permits to foreigners and persons without citizenship in 2010.
An order, signed off by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was posted on the government's website on Wednesday.
The Central Federal District will receive the biggest quota totaling 42,700 permits.
Russia introduced temporary residence status in 2003. The status allows foreigners or persons without citizenship to live in the country until they receive permanent residency and later Russian citizenship.
Up to 400,000 people receive Russian citizenship a year.
