During the conference V.L. Kazakova, the Head of the General Directorate for migration of the Ministry of internal Affairs, presented the draft law "On the conditions of entry (exit) and stay (residence) of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation" aimed at increasing control over the entry and stay of foreign citizens in Russia, establishing clear migration rules aimed at obtaining by foreign nationals those statuses that actually meet the purposes of their entry into Russia, increasing the availability and comfort of s services in the migration field  The law should come into force in 2024. This bill is being developed jointly with other agencies.

The main provisions of the law:

1. Reforming the procedure for foreign citizens to enter the Russian Federation and migration regimes of stay (residence). Introduction of a new type of visa - investor visa for 3 years. Establishing a simplified procedure for obtaining visas for all categories of citizens.

2. Introduction of a single identity document for foreign citizens, which would greatly simplify obtaining government services and other services in Russia.

3. Provided for the possibility of changing the purpose of stay without leaving the Russian Federation.

4. Establishment of 3 migration regimes: 

a. Short-term stay regime - up to 90 days in total during a calendar year.

b. Long-term stay regime - more than 90 days cumulatively within a calendar year without obtaining permanent residence rights.

c. Permanent residence regime - granted indefinitely. 

5. The law provides for the maintenance of 2 registers:

a. The register of foreign workers.

b. Electronic registry of employers hiring foreign workers.

6. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs will also maintain a register of unfair inviters and a register of unfair employers.

7. Provision is made for notifying foreign nationals of legally significant events using information technologies.

8. The draft law establishes provisions related to administrative enforcement measures for foreign nationals:

a. Controlled stay - prohibition to change the place of stay.

b. Expulsion - removal from the Russian Federation.

c. Decision on undesirable stay - will be valid only for citizens staying outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

d. The institution of non-admission will be abolished. 

9. It is expected that the introduction of information technologies would increase transparency of migration procedures and their convenience for the subjects of legal relations, and provide more complete information on the migration situation and its changes.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation in the context of the above draft law is working on the issue of increasing the functionality of the personal account (PA) on the "Work in Russia" portal. It is planned that on this portal the employer will be able to create a Personal Cabinet, post a vacancy, make an electronic contract with a foreign worker and notify about the conclusion of the contract. Information entered in the PA will be available to both the employer and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In connection with the new Federal Laws № 274-FL from 01.07.2021 and № 357-FL from 02.07.2021 the General Directorate for migration of the Internal Affairs Ministry in Moscow reported that the list of clinics was expanded: 16 clinics for foreign citizens who come without purpose of labor activity and 6 clinics in Moscow for HQS and qualified specialists, of which the branch of the State Budget Health Care Institution of Moscow "Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatology and Cosmetology of the Department of Health Care of Moscow" was especially noted. Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology of the Department of Health of Moscow at 3, Kosinskaya str. in Moscow, where one can undergo all medical procedures at once. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is working on the issue with the Ministry of Health on passing a medical examination once a year (there is more recent information, according to which the medical examination will be connected with the term of receiving authorization documents, so far these are only proposals from other agencies involved in this issue).

A representative of the General Directorate for migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Moscow region said that at the moment the list of clinics for the Moscow region has been determined. Unfortunately, MMC "Sakharovo" is not included in it. Representatives of the General Directorate for migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation promised to work on the issue of inclusion of Sakharovo MMC to this list. 

Ekaterina Matveeva, EY, told about the interviews with CEOs and new rules in connection with medical tests and fingerprinting for foreigners and the difficulties associated with these procedures.

Andrey Slepov, Advant Beiten, told about quarantine requirements for foreign workers, other requirements for foreign nationals related to the COVID19 pandemic. So, for example, for citizens of countries / holders of residence permits in countries which are included in Appendix 1 to RP № 635-r, it is possible to enter Russia by air with a PCR test. At the same time, for citizens of countries not included in this list, entry is limited (only for HQS, assemblers and some other categories) and requires approval of the relevant ministries.

Alexey Filipenkov, Visa Delight, told about the latest changes in migration legislation related to the registration of temporary residence permits, residence permits, Russian citizenship and visas for family members of foreign citizens.