HQS work permit processing discontinued at central migration office

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Head Migration Office, located at Boyarsky Lane in Moscow, will no longer accept initial work permit and visa invitation applications for highly qualified specialists.

What does the change mean? All applicants must now submit their applications at regional migration offices.

• Effective date: April 5.
• Who is impacted:Companies that were previously allowed to apply for work permits at the Head Migration Office; in particular, members of the Association of European Business, the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, and the Russo-German and Franco-Russian chambers of commerce.
• Documents impacted: HQS work permits.

Background: Previously, certain companies were allowed to submit HQS work permit applications at the Head Migration Office. The recent change eliminates this option and requires all applicants to apply for HQS work permits at regional migration offices.

Analysis & Comment: Companies should take note of the processing change and submit all HQS work permit applications to either the Moscow migration office located in Sakharov (60 kilometers from Moscow center) or the migration office in Greenwood Business Centre (located close to Khimki, Moscow region).

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.