News

Amendments to the Law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation"

In early March, Elena Balashova, Managing Partner of BALASHOVA LEGAL CONSULTANTS, Chairman of the Personnel Committee and a member of the Board of the Russian-German VTP, participated in a meeting of the working group from the expert and business community under the Government of the Russian Federation on the implementation of the mechanism of the "regulatory guillotine" in the field of migration. The purpose of the group's work is to simplify regulatory regulation regarding the attraction of foreign labor and improve the investment climate in Russia.

During the meeting, Ms. Balashova voiced a number of concerns of the business community regarding the amendments proposed by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation to the law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation" regarding the involvement of highly qualified specialists (VKS), namely:
raising the minimum wage of the VKS;
the lack of a real possibility of obtaining an indefinite residence permit for VKS and their family members;
new deadlines for cancellation of work permits and work visas;
difficulties in obtaining work permits in the regions;
It is a duty for the VKS to take medical tests twice, including for HIV and other infectious diseases, when entering Russia and obtaining a work permit.
During the meeting, the following specific proposals were made:
to set a threshold of 600,000 thousand rubles per quarter as the minimum wage for the HQS (taking into account bonuses and other additional payments);
to introduce the principle of proportionality for the payment of HQS wages when working part-time or during temporary disability, maternity leave, etc.;
grant the right to an indefinite residence permit for VCS who have been working in Russia for at least two years;
provide for obtaining a work permit for the VSC by the employer's representative, exclude the requirement to register at the place of residence of the VCC when extending the work permit;
increase the time frame for the purpose of revoking permits from the moment of entry of the VCS, and not their registration, etc.
More information can be found here.