Main Consular Issues Simplified Procedure of Employment and Permanent Residence Permit for Foreign it Specialists in Russia

Simplified Procedure of Employment and Permanent Residence Permit for Foreign it Specialists in Russia

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE OF EMPLOYMENT AND PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR FOREIGN IT SPECIALISTS IN RUSSIA

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia informs foreign IT specialists and members of their families.

For foreign citizens who are specialists in the field of information technology (1), the procedure for employment and obtaining a residence permit in the Russian Federation has been simplified.

Thus, foreign IT specialists have the right to conclude an employment contract or a civil law contract for the performance of work (without a work permit or patent) with organizations which operate in the field of information technology and have received (in the order established by the Government of the Russian Federation) a document on state accreditation of an organization operating in the field of information technology (with the exception of organizations that have the status of a resident of a technology-innovative special economic zone) (2).

Employers (accredited IT companies) engage these specialists without obtaining permission to attract and use employees. Confirmation of the organization's state accreditation is a record in the register of accredited IT companies which is available here: https://digital.gov.ru/ru/activity/govservices/1/.

A foreign IT specialist working in an accredited IT company, as well as members of his family (including spouse, children (including adopted children), spouses of children, parents (including adoptive parents), spouses of parents, grandmothers, grandfathers, grandchildren) are granted the right to obtain a residence permit in the Russian Federation without a period of validity in a simplified way.

To obtain a residence permit, an IT specialist, as well as members of his family, must contact the migration unit of the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at the chosen place of permanent residence. The term for consideration of an application for a residence permit in the Russian Federation is 3 months.

In addition to the basic documents required to apply for a residence permit in the Russian Federation (3), a foreign IT specialist additionally submits:

- an employment contract drawn up in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation or a civil law contract for the performance of work (provision of services), concluded with an accredited IT company;

- a document on education and (or) qualifications, confirming the availability of education and (or) qualifications in the field of information technology;

- documents confirming degree of relationship - in the case of applying for a residence permit by family members of a foreign IT specialist.

More detailed information on the list of documents required to apply for a residence permit in the Russian Federation can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (www.мвд.рф – you may need a VPN service to open the link) in the section "Public services - of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia - Issuance of a residence permit.”

The indicated preferences are effective from June 28, 2022 (Federal Law of June 28, 2022 No. 207-FZ “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation”).

(1) Further - "IT specialists".

(2) Hereinafter referred to as “accredited IT companies”.

(3) Clause 432 of the Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on the provision of public services for the issuance of a residence permit to foreign citizens and stateless persons, the replacement of foreign citizens and stateless persons with a residence permit in the Russian Federation, approved by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia dated June 11, 2020 No. 417.