Staying in Russia

WHAT TO CONSIDER DURING YOUR STAY IN RUSSIA?

Foreign citizens, possessing the relevant documents (visa, migration card, etc.), have the right to freedom of movement within Russia for both personal and business purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to always carry the mentioned documents with you.

However, there are exceptions when visiting certain territories, organizations, or facilities requires special permission, for example, when visiting military objects.

If you have a work permit, you can only work in the regions of Russia specified in your permit.

In case of emergencies, you have the right to receive free emergency medical assistance. In other cases, medical insurance is required. If the insurance is found to be insufficient or invalid for any reason, the company that invited you is obliged to cover the expenses for medical services.

90/180-DAY RULE FOR BUSINESS VISAS

When entering Russia on a business visa, it is important to consider the 90/180-day rule. According to this rule, a foreign citizen arriving in Russia on a business visa cannot stay in the country for more than 90 days within a 180-day period.

This rule has the following features:

- The first day of entry into Russia marks the beginning of the 180-day period.

- During these 180 days, you can spend only 90 consecutive or cumulative days in Russia. Within these 90 days, you can cross the border multiple times if you have a multiple-entry visa. With a single-entry or double-entry visa, it is limited to one or two entries respectively.

- After 90 days of stay in Russia, you must leave the country, and you will not be able to reenter Russia until the 180-day period has elapsed from the date of the first entry.

This rule does not apply to work visas and permits, which are special work authorizations for foreign citizens entering Russia without the need for a visa.

PURPOSE OF TRAVEL ON A VISA

When selecting the parameters for a visa, it is important to have a clear understanding of the purpose, duration, and necessity of your trip to Russia. The choice of an appropriate visa with corresponding durations, multiplicity, and objectives depends on these parameters.

It is crucial that the stated purposes of travel in your visa correspond to the actual purpose of your visit to Russia. Providing false information about the purpose of your visit (such as stating a business trip when you are actually coming for work) can have serious consequences and legal liability for violating immigration laws.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR VIOLATING RUSSIAN MIGRATION LEGISLATION

Violation of Russian migration laws carries serious consequences, including the possibility of criminal prosecution, deportation, and a lengthy entry ban into the country.

In case of a violation, you may be fined or expelled from Russia with a ban on re-entry for up to 10 years in the following situations:

- Violation of the border crossing procedures of Russia;

- Failure to register your place of residence in Russia in a timely manner;

- Lack of documents confirming the right to stay in Russia (visa, work permit, migration card, registration form), or loss of such documents without reporting it to the police;

- Discrepancy between the stated purpose of travel in the visa and actual activities in Russia;

- Providing false information when obtaining documents for entry into Russia;

- Failure to leave Russia after the visa has expired.

In such cases, administrative measures may be applied, including deportation from Russia, with fines ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 rubles. In Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow Oblast, and Leningrad Oblast, the fine may range from 5,000 to 7,000 rubles.

For the inviting company, the violation of migration legislation entails more serious consequences. The risk of liability arises from both the company's own violations and violations committed by you. In case of a violation, the company can be fined up to 800,000 rubles for each violation, and its activities may be suspended for up to 3 months.

Employees of the company may also face criminal liability, including imprisonment for up to 7 years and a fine, for organizing illegal migration (illegal entry, stay, or transit through Russia).

In light of the above, it is crucial to strictly comply with the requirements of Russian migration legislation to avoid liability on both your part and the inviting company's part.

RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS TO BE AWARE OF

To avoid issues with Russian law enforcement authorities, it is important to pay attention to certain prohibitions that carry administrative penalties for violations.

In Russia, it is prohibited to:

- smoke, consume alcohol, or be in a state of intoxication in public places such as parks, restaurants, public transportation, playgrounds, airports, and others, except in designated areas;

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

- possess, acquire, sell, or use narcotics in any quantity;

- use offensive language in public places;

- create noise that causes discomfort to other citizens, such as speaking loudly, shouting, playing loud music, or engaging in repair work after 23:00, both outdoors and at home;

- engage in entrepreneurial activities without a special permit.

Foreigners in Russia are subject to certain restrictions that are available to Russian citizens:

- foreign citizens do not have the right to participate in elections, be elected, or take part in referendums;

- foreigners cannot work in the civil service;

- foreign citizens do not have the right to participate in legal proceedings;

- foreigners cannot establish political parties or be their members.