Personal Legalization Of Foreign Employee Working In Russian Company

Below we speak about the situation when a foreigner has an intention to be employed long-term by a Russian company.

To stay and to work legally in Russia every foreign employee  should obtain a work visa, which is issued only on the basis of a work permit. Work permit can be obtained only after the company has got an employment permit. 

Below is a step-by-step procedure (all steps are essential):

1. Company obtains employment permit in Federal Migration Service

(Obtaining of Employment permit (stages 1) and registration of the company at PVU GUVD of Moscow (stage 3) can go simultaneously if the director of the Company is a Russian citizen. If not, the order is as stated above)

2. All foreign employees obtain work permits in Territorial Migration Service

3. Registration of the company at Passport and Visa Department of Moscow (if it is not registered yet)

4. Applying to PVU GUVD of Moscow for obtaining work invitation

5. Applying for 3-month single entry work visa to the Russian                  embassy abroad

6. Obtaining a multiple entry work visa for a year and its registration

The company can invite foreigners on its behalf only if the company is registered with Passport and Visa Department of Moscow. It is absolutely essential that the Employer-Company named in the work permit of the foreign citizen should be the inviting company named in the visa. 

Working in Russia on a basis of a business visa issued by some Russian commercial organization that is not the Employer is a breach of Russian legislation. Sanction is penalty. Worst case scenario is deportation.

Total time needed for a foreigner to enter Russia and legally work is 3.5-4 months (standard term) or 2.5-3 months (speed up term). Provided that a company is already registered in PVU GUVD of Moscow.