Manpower Supply for Russia: What Employers Should Know

If you are a foreign company and you want to open an office in Russia, and you will also need to send your workers into Russia, then you will inevitably face the question of how to register your employees to work in Russia. For a long period of work—more than 3 months—there are two options for registering employees.

The first option is the regular worker visa. The main difficulty in obtaining it is that employees must take Russian language, history, and law exams after arriving in Russia.

The second option, which this video is dedicated to, is the highly qualified worker visa. What are its advantages? Its main advantage over a regular work visa is that there is no requirement for the Russian language, history, and law exams. In addition, a highly qualified specialist can temporarily move to another region to work, rather than being restricted to just one region. Plus, such a worker can invite family members to live in Russia.

However, there are some requirements. First, the salary of the highly qualified employee must be at least 750,000 rubles quarterly. As of April 2025, this is almost $10,000. Second, such an employee must confirm their high qualification with documents. The law states that the qualification is determined by the employer, but the forms filled out by the employer require the indication of the employee’s diploma.

If your employee meets these criteria, then let's talk about the documents and the registration procedure.

Here is the list of documents:

1. Employer’s permission to hire a highly qualified specialist. It is drawn up according to a special form established by law. A photograph is pasted onto the petition.
2. Diploma. This is preferable but not required if available, along with its translation.
3. Notarized copy of the passport with a notarized translation into Russian. The translation of the passport should be done in Russian and certified by a notary.
4. Original employment contract. At the time the documents are submitted, the contract must already be signed.
5. Letter of guarantee from the employer on the company's letterhead. In this letter, the employer guarantees that they will provide insurance for the period of work, as well as the employee’s flight in the event of termination of the contract.
6. Power of attorney for the person who will submit the documents on company letterhead to represent the interests of the company.
7. Health certificate for the worker confirming that they have passed all required tests in Russia, including the absence of HIV.
8. Employee fingerprint card obtained in Russia.
9. State fee.
10. Insurance certificate.
11. Employer’s constituent documents.

What is the process?

All these documents are submitted to the migration service of Russia. To apply, you should make an appointment in advance. Documents are to be submitted in the region where the employee is expected to work or where the company is registered. After applying, a work permit is issued within 2 weeks, and a highly qualified specialist visa is issued within 1 month. In addition, when applying, it is necessary to indicate where exactly the worker will receive the visa—either in Russia or at the embassy in their home country.

That is all for today. Should you have any difficulties when inviting a foreign worker, feel free to reach out to us.