One of the Federal laws (#3030-FZ "On amendment articles 25 and 26 of the Federal law "On rules of departure from the territory of the Russian Federation and entrance to the Russian Federation") provides for the possibility to get long-term visas (for up to 5 years) to representatives and employees of multinational companies investing into Russian economy. The criteria for such companies will be stipulated by the Government of the Russian Federation. Such visas will be issued without any official invitation letter processed by Federal Migration Service, while the base for a visa issue will be the application of a particular authority stipulated by the Government of the Russian Federation sent to a consular post of the Russian Federation.

At the same time another amendment to this law (#321-FZ) suggests establishment of a ban on entry to the territory of the Russian Federation within three years for foreign citizens and persons without citizenship, who during their previous visit to Russia without a good reason overstayed for longer than 30 days beyond the end of the allowed term of stay.

The Criminal Code has also been amended to strengthen the responsibility for organizing the illegal entry into Russia of foreign citizens and persons without citizenship, their illegal stay and illegal transit, as well as for crossing the Russian border by those individuals whose entry into the Russian Federation is certainly not allowed. Now, the law provides for an increase in the fine amount of up to three hundred thousand rubles and increased terms of punishment for organizing illegal migration.

We would also like to confirm that it is now possible for Employers to file an application for the issue of Employment and Work permits (as well as amendment, renewal, issue a duplicate of these documents) to the Federal Migration Service Russia in the form of electronic documents (i.e. via Internet). However, paper documents still have to be provided to the FMS while the application is pending.

In addition, the Law gives the right to Employers to use foreign workers with temporary residence permit in the Russian Federation without any additional documents, such as Employment or Work permit.