To work in the Russian Federation, a foreign citizen is required to have approval documents.

The procedure for employment of foreign nationals is regulated by Federal Law No. 115-FZ “On the legal status of foreign nationals in the Russian Federation”, the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and the Code of Administrative Offences. At the same time, the procedure for issuing approval documents is actually identical for all forms of presence on the Russian market (with rare exceptions).

The status of a foreign national.

Three categories of citizens are defined for the purpose of determining whether approval documents are required for the foreign nationals:

  • Temporarily staying in the Russian Federation;
  • Temporarily residing in the Russian Federation (if a temporary residence permit is available);
  • Permanent residents (with a residence permit).

No work permit required

  • Foreign citizens having the status of temporary or permanent residence in Russia, as well as citizens from the EAEU countries[1] (Eurasian Economic Union), are not required to receive additional documents confirming the right to work in Russia.

IMPORTANT: For these categories of citizens, the employer must notify the territorial authority of the migration service of the conclusion / termination of the employment (civil law) contract within 3 working days.

  • A patent is required for the citizens of the non- EAEU CIS countries.

A work permit is required

Foreign nationals not belonging to the above categories are required to obtain a work permit.

Categories of work permits

There are two main procedures for legalizing foreign nationals for work purposes:

  • Highly qualified specialists (HQS) work registration;
  • Standard work registration.

Specifics of work registration and registration as an HQS

Distinction criteria

Registration for work as a highly qualified specialist

Standard work registration

Validity period of documents

Visa and work permit are issued for 3 years

Visa and work permit are issued for 1 year

Migration registration

A foreign citizen may stay on the territory of the Russian Federation without migration registration for up to 90 days (+7 business days) from the date of entry into the territory of the Russian Federation

The employer has the obligation to register a foreign citizen with migration authorities within 7 working days from the date of entry into the territory of the Russian Federation

Document execution procedure

1 month

3 to 4 months

Salary rates

As agreed by the parties, not less than 167,000 rubles per month.

As agreed by the parties, not less than the established minimum wage

Payments

The employer does not pay fees to the PFR (Pension Fund of the Russian Federation) and the FSS (Social Insurance Fund). Voluntary health insurance must be provided by the employer

The employer is required to pay fees to the PFR (Pension Fund of the Russian Federation) and the FSS (Social Insurance Fund). Voluntary health insurance must be provided by the employer

Availability of medical certificates and certificates of knowledge of the Russian language, history and basics of legislation

Not required for the documents

Required for the documents

 

[1] The EAEU countries are: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.

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