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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Russia will be dropping the minimum salary threshold for IT companies hiring workers in the quota-exempt Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) work permit category.
What does the change mean? IT companies must be registered with the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media and then may sponsor foreign nationals on HQS permits for minimum annual salaries of one million rubles (about US $29,000), half of the standard salary threshold of two million rubles.
Background: Russia created the HQS permit in 2010 as a way for Russian companies to hire skilled foreign workers without quota restrictions for up to three years. Registered companies in the IT field have recently been targeted to benefit from the lowered minimum salary threshold.
BAL Analysis: When implemented, registered companies can take advantage of this significant reduction in the minimum salary for foreign IT workers qualifying for HQS permits.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Russia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
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