Changes for foreign employees

The main changes affected the following points:

1. The minimum wage level for highly qualified specialists (HQS) has changed
We remind that a highly qualified specialist (HQS) is an employee who receives a salary not lower than that established by law for recognition of a HQS, meets certain criteria and works under a work permit for a HQS. Today, the minimum wage is 167,000 rubles for 1 month for most foreigners.

According to the changes from March 1, 2024, the minimum wage will be 750,000 per quarter.

2. Residence permit of an HQS employee
Changes in legislation will allow an HQS employee to obtain a residence permit without an expiration date. Such a residence permit can be issued only after the employee has worked for 2 years on a residence permit issued based on his work permit as an HQS.

Such residence permits will be issued 180 days after the publication of the law, that is, from January 2024.

3. Deadlines for obtaining a work permit
From July 10, a foreign HQS is required to collect his work permit within 30 days from the date of the decision to issue it. Otherwise, it will be destroyed and the decision annulled. The period can be extended for good reason at the request of the employer.

According to the previous rules, the period within which a foreign HQS had to apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain a work permit was not regulated by law.

The same period, 30 calendar days, is also established upon receipt (issuance) of a work permit upon its renewal;

The new law also establishes the deadlines during which a foreign HQS who has not received a work permit within 30 days, as well as members of his family, are required to leave the territory of Russia. A highly qualified specialist and members of his family who have no other legal grounds for staying (residence) in the Russian Federation are required to leave the Russian Federation within 15 calendar days from the date of expiration of the period for obtaining a work permit. Visas issued to a highly qualified specialist and members of his family after the expiration of the specified 15 calendar days are considered invalid.

4. Paperwork
During the initial registration of an employee — a HQS, as well as when renewing a work permit for a HQS, now it is possible to provide not the original employment contract, but a copy certified by the employer. Also, when submitting documents for the extension of a work permit for a HQS, the employer is no longer required to provide registration of the HQS.