Work permit in Russia

Work permit – is a document which authorizes a foreign citizen to work legally in Russia. Work without a permit may cause serious administrative penalties for both the worker and the employer.

Types of work permits in Russia:

• Work permit for highly qualified specialists (HQS). This permit lasts up to 3 years and it is issued to foreigners arriving in Russia on the basis of a visa or without one (the CIS citizens, Ukraine citizens). To receive a HQS work permit, the employee must be paid no less than RUB 250,000 per month.
• Standard work permit (for workers from non-CIS states). It lasts 1 year and it is issued to all foreign citizens arriving in Russia on the basis of a visa (except HQS)
• For HQS family members
• For foreign students who study in Russia

Work permit is normally procured for the foreign citizens who enter and stay in Russia on the basis of a visa. The citizens of non-visa countries apply for a patent for work.

If a citizen of a non-visa country is employed as a HQS, he/she should obtain a work permit.