The term of multiple-entry working visas has been extended for employees of resident companies of the priority development area in the Far East and the Free Port of Vladivostok

On 7 April, Federal Law No. 119-FZ dated 7 April 2020 “On amending articles 25 and 25.6 of Federal Law ‘On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering into the Russian Federation’ and articles 5 and 16 of Federal Law ‘On the legal status of foreign nationals in the Russian Federation’” was published.

The amendments to come into effect on 7 July 2020 determine the procedure and grounds for common multi-entry business visas and common multi-entry working visas to be issued as part of the implementation of investment projects in the Far Eastern Federal District. The term of such visas has also been extended.

The main changes are reflected in the table below:

Associated obligations of residents of the priority development area and the Free Port of Vladivostok

Residents must inform the local division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about an investment agreement with a foreign company having expired or being terminated. Such notice must be sent three days before the end date of the agreement. The form and procedure for submitting such notice will be approved by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

What to pay attention to

• One of the requirements for obtaining a standard working visa is that the employment duties of a foreign national should be connected with the implementation of an investment project in the Far East. This means that such visa may not be issued to a foreign employee if his/her employment function is not connected with the implementation of an investment project in accordance with the relevant agreement for carrying out business activities in the priority development area or the Free Port of Vladivostok.
• The ground for obtaining a multi-entry business visa should be indicated as negotiating the entry into, or entering into, an agreement for implementing an investment project with a resident of the priority development area or the Free Port of Vladivostok. It is mandatory that such agreement displays the characteristics of an investment agreement.

We believe that the new rules should significantly facilitate the procedure for the above categories of foreign nationals to obtain Russian visas. However, it is still possible that, in July 2020, the temporary restrictions relating to the containment of the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place; these should also be taken into consideration.

Help from your adviser

Pepeliaev Group’s lawyers have extensive experience of advising on all issues of labour law and migration legislation and are ready to provide the necessary legal assistance on issues relating to this new development.