Russian Work Visa

You want to get a job and work in Russia.
There is a lot to see and enjoy — it's a good opportunity, but do you know the visa rules? Look at this news till the end to learn all about it.

Let's get started. First, let me explain Russia work visa policy. If you want to work in Russia, you must have a work visa and a work permit. The work permit comes before the work visa.

You must find a job offered by a Russian employer to get a work permit. You can look for a job offer online or through employment agencies. It's a must to get a job offer, as your employer must apply for a work permit.

Employing foreign nationals in Russia is limited. Government quotas determine the number of available employment permits for foreigners every year. It depends on the global economy and the Russia work permit. Also, there are specific quotas for Russian regions, occupational sections, and foreign nationals among the general quotas.

Before getting to the work permit, let me explain the exemptions. Some groups don't need a work permit to work in Russia.

Here is a list of them:

Nationals from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It's an intergovernmental organization in Eastern Europe and Asia, formed after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. You can find the list of these countries in the Visa Library article. These countries don't need a Russia work visa, work permit, or guaranteed job opportunity by a Russian employer.

Foreigners living in Russia who have a permanent residence permit in the country.

Foreigners temporarily working in companies abroad can apply for a business visa. They are allowed to stay in Russia for up to one year for business purposes.

Employees of diplomatic missions or consulates of foreign countries in Russia, or any private domestic employees.

Foreign employees who install, repair, or service installed equipment.

Accredited journalists in Russia.

Students who hold a valid study visa and work during holiday time or where they are studying.

Those invited to Russia to take teaching positions in educational institutions.

You don't need a work permit if you fall among one of these groups.

Now let's get to know the types of Russia work permits. You'd better know and get familiar with the rules and regulations.

1. Standard Russia work permit — This is a general Russia work permit for employees in non-CIS countries. It's valid for the duration of the employment contract. If the work lasts more than one year, you must renew your work visa yearly. Also, you must get a temporary residence permit. This differs from Russia open work permits that are not specific to jobs. Employers must first apply for a quota and wait for the decision of the officials. They either approve the application or refuse it. The government grants limited quotas to attract foreign employees from visa-requiring countries every year, so getting a quota is a lengthy process and success is not guaranteed.

2. Russia work permit for highly qualified employees (HQ) — It's a specific Russia work permit for skilled professionals with an annual salary of more than 2 million rubles. In this case, it's possible to hire a foreigner for any position. HQs have the right to receive a work permit for up to three years without restrictions on the duration of stay. The advantage of this permit is that it is generally processed within 14 days to a month. It also entitles family members, including spouses, children, and parents, to get a Russia visa.

3. Work patent for CIS Nationals — As explained, if you are a citizen of CIS, you do not need a visa to enter Russia, a Russia job, or a work permit for work-related purposes. However, you must apply for a work patent at the local JUVM office in your region within 30 days of your arrival in Russia. JUVM stands for the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs in Russia. If you don't get the patent, it can lead to a fine of up to 50,000 rubles. When you enter Russia as a CIS National, you will have 60 days to find a job. The work patent is valid for up to 12 months and can be renewed only once. You can work out of government quotas, and your employer doesn't require a work permit to employ you. To get a work patent, you must pass an exam certifying your knowledge of the Russian Federation language, legislation, and history.

4. Work permit for above quota positions — If a foreigner’s salary is less than 2 million rubles a year, it is possible to hire them for one of the above-quota positions according to the classifier. The classifier is the list of out-of-quota professionals. People with job positions on this list can be hired according to their profession. The quota rules do not apply to them. The list changes every year, and you must check it before applying. 

Now, are you wondering how to apply for a Russia work visa? Here it is. Your employer will handle the process of Russia work permit and applies to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The application process is a bit different depending on the category of your work permit.

For highly qualified specialists, the process is easy and simple. First, the employer must submit documents for a work permit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Here is a list of supporting documents:

Original employment contract with salary information.

Certificate of registration by trade register.

Commercial register extract.

Information letter from the statistical authority.

Address and phone number of the company.

Passport copy of the CEO in Russia.

Photo of the employee (color, scans, 300 DPI).

Copy of diploma translation.

Also, this information is required by the officials: expected date of entry, nationality, registration address outside Russia, registration address in Russia, state and city of visa obtaining. There could be other requirements, such as copies of passport, educational certificates, and related documents.

The employer can ask officials for the full list of supporting documents. After that, the employer will receive confirmation that the Ministry of Internal Affairs received the documents. Then the employer must apply for a business invitation.

When the work invitation is issued, the employee must apply for a work visa to the Russian Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The employee submits the work invitation and other requirements to the Russian Embassy. When entering Russia, the employee must pick up the work permit at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The application for quota and above-quota specialists is the same. The only exception is the first stage for quota positions: the employer must apply for a quota in the Department of Labor and Employment, wait for the decision, then continue the rest of the procedure.

For above-quota positions, the employer must register a vacancy at the local employment center and wait until the application is processed. After approval in quota and out-of-quota procedures, the employer submits the documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get a permit to employ foreign labor. The Ministry will receive the issued permit by proxy.

Remember this essential point: if the worker is from a country with a high risk of immigration, the Russian company's general director must be interviewed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Also, the company must send documents for accreditation to the Ministry.

When officials confirm receiving the documents for a work permit, the employer applies for a working invitation. With the invitation, the employee can apply for a work visa to the Russian Embassy or Consulate. The work visa is single-entry, valid for 90 days. The employee must apply for a multiple-entry visa valid for the entire duration of employment.

First, gather the list of supporting documents:

Passport (valid beyond the date your visa expires in Russia).

One passport photo (preferably not older than one month at the time of application).

Work invitation letter (the root of your application).

Letter from your Russian employer (must contain job details, working location, employment contract dates).

Medical certificate (verifies that you have no illness, must be obtained from a verified doctor in your home country).

Remember an essential point: employees in certain countries or regions may need to provide additional documents. The decision is with Russian officials. Some countries may require applicants to visit the Russian Embassy or Consulate for biometrics (fingerprint scan and digital photo).

When you receive the work visa, you may move to Russia and begin work, but you must register your residence with officials. As explained, your visa is valid according to your work type. Processing time differs: one month for highly qualified employees and up to three months for other work permit categories.