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Russia – Work Permits and Working Legally

Working Legally in Russia

It is necessary for foreign citizens to obtain a work permit in order to work legally in Russia. The application for the work permit must be made by the employer. However, there are certain exemptions to this rule

Exemptions

The following categories of foreign citizens are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit in Russia:

  • Foreign citizens holding a diplomatic or official passport
  • Individuals under international treaties of the Russian Federation
  • Individuals who have received a temporary asylum in the Russian Federation
  • Individuals who have been granted refugee status in the Russian Federation
  • Individuals who have permanent residence in the Russian Federation

Types of Work Permits for Expats in Russia

There are two main types of work permits for foreign citizens in Russia:


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  1. Quota Work Permit

The Quota Work Permit is the most commonly used type of work permit for foreign citizens in Russia. It is issued to foreign citizens who are employed in a position that is included in the annual quota for foreign workers. The quota is established by the Federal Migration Service and the Ministry of Labor

Eligibility: To be eligible for a Quota Work Permit, the foreign citizen must have a valid employment contract with a Russian company and the company must have a vacancy included in the annual quota for foreign workers.

  1. Skilled Worker Work Permit

The Skilled Worker Work Permit is issued to foreign citizens who are employed in a highly skilled position in Russia

Eligibility: To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Work Permit, the foreign citizen must have a valid employment contract with a Russian company and must have a higher education degree or professional experience in their field.

Procedure to apply for a work permit in Russia

The procedure for obtaining a work permit in Russia is as follows:

  1. The employer submits a request for a work permit to the Federal Migration Service
  2. The Federal Migration Service reviews the request and determines whether the foreign citizen is eligible for a work permit
  3. If the foreign citizen is eligible, the Federal Migration Service will issue a work permit to the employer
  4. The employer will then submit the work permit to the foreign citizen

The entire process typically takes 2-3 months

Documents Required to Apply for a Work Permit in Russia

The following documents are required to apply for a work permit in Russia:

  • A valid passport
  • A health certificate
  • A police clearance certificate
  • An employment contract
  • A diploma or other proof of education and professional experience
  • A copy of the work permit quota issued by the Federal Migration Service

Costs Involved in Applying for a Work Permit in Russia

The cost of obtaining a work permit in Russia is as follows:

  • A fee for the processing of the work permit application (approximately 10,000 rubles)
  • A fee for the medical examination (approximately 3,000 rubles)
  • A fee for the police clearance certificate (approximately 3,000 rubles)

Reliable Information on Working Legally in Russia

For reliable information on working legally in Russia, foreign citizens can visit the following websites:


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