What to consider for foreign citizens in Russia?

You will learn:

1. In which part of Russia and for how long is a foreign citizen entitled to stay and work?

2. Who provides medical care and insurance to a foreigner?

3. In what cases can a foreign citizen be deported from Russia?

4. What bans and restrictions should be primarily considered to avoid problems with the Russian police?

STAYING IN RUSSIA

Foreign citizens have the right to free movement for personal or business purposes within Russia, based on documents issued for entry into Russia.

Exceptions include visiting territories, organizations, and facilities that require special permission for entry (e.g. military objects, border zone, state institutions working with state secrets).

Foreign workers can work only in the territory specified in the work permit, except in cases where:

- A foreign worker belongs to the list of professions established by the Ministry of Health of Russia (for example, bricklayer, boatswain), managers of companies and divisions sent on business trips, but not exceeding 10 calendar days during the validity period of the work permit. For Highly Qualified Specialists (HQS), this limitation is not 10 but 30 days per year.

- The work is carried out by a regular foreign worker on the go or has a traveling nature, and this is determined by his employment contract. Such work can be carried out for no more than 60 calendar days during the validity period of the work permit. This time limit does not apply to HQS.

The company, when applying for a visa invitation, provides guarantees of medical care for the foreign citizen. When applying for a work visa, providing a copy of the medical insurance policy is mandatory. If necessary, the foreign citizen has the right to count on free emergency medical care. In other cases, he needs medical insurance, and if that is not enough, the company is obliged to cover the costs of medical services.

The law establishes serious responsibility for the company for the invited foreign citizen, therefore it is necessary to monitor his compliance with migration laws throughout his stay in Russia.

A foreign citizen may be fined or expelled from Russia (with a ban on entry for 3 years) in the following cases:

- The foreigner violated the procedure for crossing the Russian border;

- The foreigner did not register in a timely manner at the place of stay;

- The foreigner does not have documents confirming the right to stay in Russia (visa, work permit (for foreign workers), migration card, registration form at the place of stay), or when such documents are lost and no statement has been made to the police about their loss;

- The purpose of the trip specified in the visa does not correspond to the activity that the foreigner actually performs during their stay in Russia;

- The foreigner provided false information about themselves when applying for entry documents to Russia;

- The foreigner avoids leaving Russia after the visa has expired.

To avoid problems related to the violation of Russian migration laws and to have the opportunity to visit Russia in the future, a foreign citizen needs to: (i) provide accurate information about themselves when applying for entry documents, (ii) complete all formalities upon arrival in Russia within the specified time frame, (iii) have all documents confirming the legality of their stay in Russia, (iv) engage in the activity specified as the purpose of their visit in the visa, and leave Russia upon the expiration of the visa.

PROHIBITIONS TO BE AWARE OF

To avoid problems with the Russian police, it is important to pay attention to certain prohibitions that carry administrative penalties. In Russia, it is prohibited to:

- smoke, consume alcoholic beverages and be in a state of intoxication in public places (such as parks, restaurants, public transport, children's playgrounds, airports, etc.);

- sell alcohol during nighttime hours. Each region independently determines this period, usually from 23:00 to 10:00;

- possess, purchase, sell, or use any narcotics in any amount;

- use profanity in public places;

- make noise (talk loudly, shout, play music, perform repair work, etc.) both outside and at home after 23:00;

- engage in entrepreneurial activities without a special permit.

RESTRICTIONS TO PAY ATTENTION TO

Foreigners in Russia face certain restrictions related to civil rights of Russian citizens. Thus, foreign citizens in Russia:

- do not have the right to vote or be elected, participate in referendums;

- cannot work in government service;

- do not have the right to participate in the administration of justice;

- are not allowed to create political parties or be their members.

The main rules for the stay of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation consist of timely informing migration authorities and obtaining the necessary documents granting the right to permanent or temporary residence in Russia. Without them, it is impossible to engage in employment and live in the country on legal grounds.

Resume:

1. Foreign citizens have the right to freedom of movement for personal or business purposes throughout Russia, except for territories that require special permission to enter (such as military facilities). However, foreigners are only allowed to work in the territory specified in their work permit, with exceptions for business trips lasting no more than 10 calendar days during the validity period of the work permit. For foreign workers employed in the aviation industry, such limitation is 30 calendar days per year. Foreigners can also work while travelling or in a mobile capacity as specified in their employment contract, with a maximum period of 60 calendar days during the validity period of the work permit, or unlimited for those employed in the aviation industry.

2. When applying for a visa invitation and work permit, the company provides guarantees of medical insurance for the foreigner. Foreign citizens are entitled to free emergency medical care in Russia, but otherwise, they need to have medical insurance. The company is obliged to cover the costs of medical services provided to the foreigner if the insurance is insufficient.

3. Foreigners can be fined or deported from Russia with a ban on entry for 3 years for violating migration legislation (e.g. failure to register their place of residence), providing false information when applying for migration documents, or violating other provisions of Russian legislation.

4. To avoid problems with the Russian police, foreigners should first and foremost not violate everyday administrative restrictions that are established for Russian citizens in the areas of behavior in public places, trade, alcohol and drug consumption, and entrepreneurial activities. There are also restrictions in Russia that apply only to foreign citizens, such as prohibition to work in public service and right to vote in elections, among others.