Migration regulation

Federal Law No.115-FZ of 25.07.2002 On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation is the main law of migration regulation.

A foreign citizen can stay in Russia without a visa (for countries with a visa-free regime), on a tourist visa, business visa, student, work visa, or other visa.

A foreigner's maximum period of continuous stay in Russia in case of short-term stay is 90 calendar days. If a foreigner has an employment contract and a work permit, then he can stay in Russia continuously for the entire period of validity of the work permit.

Any foreign citizen in Russia belongs to one of the statuses:

· temporarily staying foreigner - those who do not have a temporary residence permit or residence permit
· temporary resident foreigner - those who have issued a temporary residence permit (TRP)
· permanently residing foreigners - those who have a residence permit (RP) - the highest legal status for foreigners in Russia

Permanently residing foreigners can work in Russia without restrictions. Temporary residents can only work in the region where the temporary residence permit is issued. A temporary foreigner can work only after obtaining a work permit. A standard work permit is issued for one year, and a work permit for a Highly Qualified Specialist is issued for three years.

Patent

Also, certain foreign citizens can work in Russia under a patent. A patent is a document that gives rights to a foreign citizen or stateless person who arrived in Russia in a manner that does not require a visa to work for an individual or legal entity.

A foreign citizen can only work in the region of Russia where the patent is issued. A work patent must be obtained by stateless persons who have reached the age of 18 and foreign citizens who arrived in Russia on a visa-free basis to carry out work (citizens of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Moldova, as well as residents of Latvia and Estonia who are not citizens of these countries).

Citizens of countries that are members of the EAEU do not need to obtain a work permit in Russia when seeking employment.

All foreigners arriving in Russia for work must undergo fingerprinting, photography, and a medical examination. These procedures must be done within 30 calendar days from entry into the country. Citizens of the Republic of Belarus, children under six years of age, officials of international organizations, and other categories of foreigners are exempt from the procedures.

Terms and fines

Foreign citizens must register for migration within 7 days of entering Russia. HQS employees and members of their families, citizens of Belarus and Ukraine — within 90 days, citizens of the EAEU — within 30 days, citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan — within 15 days Russian law provides severe fines for non-compliance with the migration requirements. For certain violations, fines can achieve up to 1 million rubles (around 11,000 USD).

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