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Stay up-to-date with important upcoming changes to immigration and labour legistation, as well as draft laws on the employment of foreign nationals. These changes will have a great impact when hiring the latter, including highly qualified foreign specialists (HQS), and formalising their employment.

Proposed amendments pertaining to HQS

On July 8, 2026, a draft law was adopted in the third reading introducing, inter alia, major amendments to the requirements for HQS, regardless of when they were granted the status. In particular, under the current version of the draft law, the following changes are to take effect from March 1, 2026:

• The minimum remuneration threshold for HQS is to increase to RUB 717,000 per month (from the current threshold of RUB 750,000 per calendar quarter);

• An annual indexation of the remuneration payable to HQS is to be introduced, based on the rate of increase in the average monthly salary of the employees over the preceding calendar year. The indexation coefficient is to be set by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

The draft law is expected to be reviewed by the Federation Council, and its final wording may be subject to further changes.

Please note that if the draft law is adopted, it will be necessary to take into account the revised amount of the HQS remuneration, and, if required, amend existing contracts by concluding additional agreements. Furthermore, it will be necessary to bring internal policies into compliance with the new requirements. In the future, it will be important to ensure ongoing monitoring of the indexation coefficient to maintain the HQS remuneration level fully in line with applicable provisions.

Tightening medical examination requirements for foreign nationals

On June 10, 2026, a legislative package designed to modernize the regime of mandatory medical examinations for foreign nationals was officially published. Certain provisions have already come into force, while the remainder will take effect from September 1, 2026.

Key points:

• A uniform deadline has been established for undergoing the mandatory medical examination: no later than 30 days after entering Russia, and annually thereafter (with the exception of HQS).

• Each of Russia’s constituent entities will approve a list of medical organisations authorised to conduct such medical examinations to the strict exclusion of all others.

• Administrative liability has been introduced for violating the procedures for such medical examinations (Article 18.21 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RF), along with criminal liability for the forgery and circulation of documents certifying the absence of dangerous infectious diseases.

Increase in the state fees for issuing documents to foreign nationals

From July 26, 2026, certain state fees will be increased, including those for:

• The issuance (or extension) of a multiple-entry visa, to RUB 6,000 (previously RUB 1,920);

• The issuance of an invitation letter for entry into Russia (per foreign national), to RUB 8,000 (previously RUB 960);

• The issuance of a work permit, to RUB 5,000 (previously RUB 4,200);

• The issuance of a temporary residence permit, to RUB 15,000 (previously RUB 1,920);

• The issuance of a permanent residence permit, to RUB 30,000 (previously RUB 6,000);

• Applications for admission to, or renunciation of, Russian citizenship, to RUB 50,000 (previously RUB 4,200).

New forms for notifying of the conclusion and termination of contracts with foreign nationals

Updated notification forms for the conclusion and termination of employment agreements and civil law contracts for the provision of services with foreign nationals, as well as notification of employers' and customers' compliance with their obligations to pay remuneration to HQS, will apply from September 1, 2026 to September 1, 2032.

Key points:

• The notification form must specify the term for which the employment or civil law contract has been concluded).

• The notification form confirming the payment of remuneration to an HQS has been amended to include a field for the taxpayer identification number (TIN), while the requirement to indicate the individual's occupation has been removed.

• Consent to the processing of personal data must be submitted together with the relevant notification.

New requirements for acquiring Russian citizenship

On June 2, 2026, a new procedure for acquiring Russian citizenship entered into force. Under the revised rules, applicants are required to submit an additional document– a criminal record certificate or a certificate confirming the absence of a criminal record issued by the competent authority in the applicant's country of nationality or, for stateless persons, by the competent authority of the state that issued the applicant's identity document.

Refugees and foreign nationals who have been granted political asylum or temporary asylum in Russia are exempt from this requirement. In addition, until January 1, 2028, the requirement to submit such a certificate does not apply to Ukrainian nationals or stateless persons who had permanently resided in Ukraine.

Prohibition on the deportation and readmission of foreign nationals serving under military contracts

On July 7, 2026, amendments will enter into force establishing a special legal regime for foreign nationals who are serving under a military contract in the Russian Armed Forces, as well as those who have completed such service and participated in military operations as members of the Russian Armed Forces. No decisions may be taken in respect of such persons regarding deportation, readmission, the reduction of the duration of their temporary stay, the refusal to issue a temporary residence permit, or the revocation of such a permit.

In addition, any such decisions issued in respect of such foreign nationals on or after February 24, 2022, shall cease to have effect and shall not be enforceable.

Experts from ALRUD’s Labour and Employment Practice are prepared to provide comprehensive legal assistance on all aspects of Russian immigration and labour law, including end-to-end assistance with the hiring and engagement of foreign nationals.