IMPACT – MEDIUM

Reports on the salaries paid to highly qualified specialists during the third quarter of 2020 (July through September) must be submitted by Oct. 30. The reports, which employers must complete to show that they have met minimum salary payment levels, are required quarterly.

  • Implementation time frame: Between now and Oct. 30.
  • Visas/permits affected: HQS work permits.
  • Who is affected: Companies that employ highly qualified specialists.
  • Business impact: Companies and individual company officials may face fines if they fail to submit the reports on time.
  • Next steps: Salary reports may be submitted in person or mailed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Additional Information: The reported salary should not be less than the minimum HQS level (in standard conditions) of 167,000 rubles per calendar month or 501,000 rubles per quarter. The quarterly figure applies if there was a break in work during the reported period. Violation of the established notification form or procedure or non-notification can result in fines on employers ranging from 35,000 to 70,000 rubles for officials and 400,000 to 1,000,000 rubles for legal entities. Failing to pay the minimum salary established for HQS employees can result in a company being banned from employing new HQS employees for two years.

Analysis & Comments: Companies should ensure that they submit their quarterly reports on time and that the salaries comply with wage thresholds for HQS workers.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Russia updated its entry requirements for foreign nationals and Russian citizens.

As of Aug. 1, the following requirements are in effect:

  • Foreign nationals flying to Russia must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted three days before boarding their flights.
  • Foreign nationals crossing borders into Russia by land must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted within three days of traveling.
  • COVID-19 PCR test results not in English or Russian must be translated from the language of the country where the test was conducted, and the Russian consulate must certify the translation.
  • All travelers from abroad entering Russian ports of entry must complete the arrival questionnaire. Click here to download.
  • Employers that send foreign nationals to Russia for work must verify their foreign employees have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted within three days of arrival. Foreign nationals entering Russia for work must undergo a 14-day quarantine.
  • All travelers from abroad entering Russia by air must register on the State Services website before checking in for their flights and complete a paper registration at ports of entry.
  • Russian citizens traveling to Russia on regular flights must obtain a COVID-19 PCR test within three days of arriving and report the results on the State Services website.

Background: In late July, Russia clarified its COVID-19 travel requirements for foreign nationals and Russian citizens, including stating that a mandatory 14-day quarantine remains in place for foreign nationals traveling to Russia for work.

Analysis & Comments: The entry testing requirements may cause minor delays for foreign nationals entering Russia. Employers sending employees to Russia for work should plan for the mandatory 14-day quarantine and complete COVID-19 testing before entering Russia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Russia recently announced it will allow entry for air travelers from the U.K., Tanzania and Turkey.

Key Points:

  • Citizens and permanent residents of the U.K., Tanzania and Turkey will be allowed to enter Russia beginning Aug. 1 via air travel only.
  • These travelers may only obtain a visa at Russian consulates in the U.K., Tanzania and Turkey.

Background: Russian borders remain closed for all foreign nationals with only a few exceptions. Foreign travelers entering Russia for work are subject to 14-day quarantine upon arrival. The same is true for passengers arriving on evacuation flights. In order to enter Russia, foreign travelers must obtain a COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival and present a certificate showing a negative result or obtain a COVID-19 test in Russia, within three days of arrival.

Analysis & Comments: The lifting of air travel restrictions for nationals and permanent residents of the U.K., Tanzania and Turkey is good news for employers who wish to send employees to Russia from these countries. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Russia recently made changes to its COVID-19 policy for all foreign and Russian nationals entering the country.

Key Points:

  • All foreign citizens entering Russia for the purpose of work and all persons arriving on evacuation flights must enter quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
  • In addition, foreign citizens will need to present negative COVID-19 test results conducted within three days of their arrival date and issued in Russian or in English.
  • Without negative test results, foreign citizens must undergo a PCR test for COVID-19 within 72 hours of arrival.
  • Russian citizens must undergo examination within three days from the date of arrival.
  • Employers must inform workers leaving Russia of the requirements and make sure arriving foreign citizen workers have negative test results.

Background: Russia first announced the quarantine requirement in March. Most foreign nationals remain barred from entering Russia, with exceptions for permanent residents and those with close relatives in Russia, or entering because of the death of a close relative. An exception also exists for some foreign nationals entering to provide technical support for foreign equipment. Entry is also available for those seeking medical treatment and for highly qualified specialist (HQS) employees who are on a special list created by the overseeing ministries, Federal Security Service and Ministry of Internal Affairs. Russian borders remain closed.

Analysis & Comments: As the response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Reports on the salaries paid to highly qualified specialists during the second quarter of 2020 (April through June) must be submitted in July. The reports, which employers must complete to show that they have met minimum salary payment levels, are required quarterly.

  • Implementation time frame: Between now and July 31.
  • Visas/permits affected: HQS work permits.
  • Who is affected: Companies that employ highly qualified specialists.
  • Business impact: Companies and individual company officials may face fines if they fail to submit the reports on time.
  • Next steps: Salary reports may be submitted in person or mailed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Additional information: The deadline to submit reports is July 31. The reported salary should not be less than the minimum HQS level (in standard conditions) of 167,000 rubles per calendar month or 501,000 rubles per quarter. The quarterly figure applies if there was a break in work during the reported period.

Violation of the established notification form or procedure or non-notification can result in fines on employers ranging from 35,000 to 70,000 rubles for officials and 400,000 to 1,000,000 rubles for legal entities. Failing to pay the minimum salary established for HQS employees can result in a company being banned from employing new HQS employees for two years.

Analysis & Comments: Companies should ensure that they submit their quarterly reports on time and that the salaries comply with wage thresholds for HQS workers.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

 

IMPACT – HIGH

Russia has made it possible for foreign nationals who are highly qualified specialists to be granted a one-time entry approval.

Key Points:

  • An exemption has been made to the foreign national entry prohibition for highly qualified specialist (HQS) employees who enter Russia one time on the basis of lists approved by Russian authorities.
  • When entering Russia, foreign national HQS employees are required to show a valid labor or services contract from a Russian employer or customer, in addition to both a passport and a valid visa (if applicable).
  • The following conditions do not apply to new HQS employees covered by the separate list who remain abroad:
    • Restrictions on work permits and invitation letters from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
    • Restrictions on visa issuance by Russian consulates in foreign nations.
  • It is required that a list of HQS employees be sent by a federal executive authority that oversees the industry in which the employer operates to the Federal Security Service and Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The list must include employee date of entry and entry checkpoint information.

Analysis & Comments: The new one-time entry exemption is good news for foreign national highly qualified specialists and their employers. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

 

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Ministry of Health has announced that, effective June 27, foreign nationals who must pass a medical examination to obtain work-related documents must also pass a COVID-19 test.

Key Points:

  • Those applying for the following immigration documents must pass a COVID-19 test:
    • Work permits (WPs).
    • Work patents.
    • Temporary residence permit (TRPs).
    • Permanent residence permit (PRPs).

Additional information: At this time, foreign nationals working as HQS do not need to pass a medical examination to obtain their work permit, and thus, the requirement to pass a COVID-19 test should not apply to them. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Following the recent presidential decree issued June 15, the government has suspended the expiration of validity of stay as well as for certain documents.

Key Points:

  • From March 15 until Sept. 15 expiration of the following is suspended:
    • Stay.
    • Visa validity.
    • Migration registration validity.
    • Temporary and permanent residence permit validity.
    • Validity of documents confirming refugee or temporary asylum status.
  • The expiration suspension no longer applies to the following documents:
    • Work permits.
    • Work patents.
    • Corporate employment permits.
  • Employers can no longer hire foreign nationals staying in Russia without a work permit or patent. Instead, these foreign nationals can now obtain the necessary permit regardless of their original reason for entering the country:
    • Visa-free nationals may apply for a patent regardless of the declared purpose of entry or the existing deadline for submitting an application.
    • Employers with a corporate employment permit may apply for individual work permits, valid until Sept. 15, for relevant employees regardless of their purpose of entry.

Analysis & Comments: Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – HIGH

Russia has updated its immigration registration process with the aim of easing compliance.

Key Points:

  • The range of foreign citizens who may act as a host party and obtain immigration registration for other foreigners has been expanded. After the changes come into force, any foreign citizen who owns a residential property in Russia will be able to act as a host party. Currently, highly qualified specialists can as act their own host, as well as for their family members, and foreign citizens holding a permanent residence permit, and other foreigners owning residential properties in Russia, can act as hosts for themselves only.
  • Online registration via the Gosuslugi portal has been added to the existing options (i.e., in-person visit to a Ministry of Internal Affairs territorial body, a multifunctional government services center, or a post office).
  • Foreign citizens must register independently, if their host party permanently resides abroad, and provide a notarized consent from the host party to stay in the residential property.
  • If a foreign citizen moves to a hotel, the previously obtained immigration registration will not be canceled. However, if moving from one hotel to another, the first hotel will deregister them and the new hotel will then register them.
  • The approved changes will enter into force 90 days after their official release.

Analysis & Comments: The wording of the law is designed to simplify the administrative formalities for all parties involved. However, each territorial branch of the Ministry of internal Affairs can set its own requirements for immigration registration. We strongly recommend double-checking the process details and the list of documents in advance for each particular case.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

Russia recently extended the suspension of inbound travel for foreign nationals to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points:

  • The suspension of inbound travel for foreign nationals has been extended until further notice.
  • The extension keeps various travel restrictions in place such as banning the entry of most foreign nationals, with exceptions for: transit air travelers, employees at diplomatic missions and consular establishments in Russia, official delegation members, ship, air and rail crews, motor vehicle drivers on international routes, and diplomatic and service visa holders, as well as private visa holders traveling in Russia because of the death of a close relative. Those who have close relatives in Russia are also allowed to enter the country.
  • The suspension declared in March also halted the issuance of all types of visas and permits for foreign nationals. (The migration authorities continue accepting applications for permit and visa renewal and amendment for those foreign employees who are currently staying in Russia.) An exception exists for foreign nationals securing a visa and entering the country to provide technical support for foreign equipment and who are on a list approved by a ministry or federal entity that oversees the organization using the equipment. Those who have appropriate documents are also allowed to postpone the renewal of their work permits, patents, visas, immigration registration, residence permits, and other similar documents that expire between March 15 and June 15. These documents are automatically prolonged for up to three months.

Additional information: On March 18, Russia suspended inbound travel for most foreign nationals until May 1. The issuance of visas and permits for foreign nationals was also suspended at that time.

Analysis & Comments: The travel suspension extension will impact the movement of people into Russia. Employers should be aware that their foreign employees outside of Russia, with some exceptions, will not be allowed to enter until further notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.