1. Main Visa and Work Permit Types

The table lists only the main categories covered in this guide and is not an exhaustive list of all visa categories.

1. Short-Term Tourism and Business Visits

The unified electronic visa is available only to listed nationalities, for specified purposes of visit, and at designated ports of entry. It is not a work visa. An ordinary business visa also does not allow the holder to take up employment directly in Russia. The visa’s permitted entry period, duration of each stay, and number of entries should be confirmed separately. A multiple-entry business visa cannot be used in place of a work permit.

Whether an activity qualifies as a visit should be determined from the actual work involved, not only the name of the trip or where salary is paid. Activities such as installation, maintenance, training, and on-site client services require particular confirmation of whether a work permit or a specific exemption is required.

2. Highly Qualified Specialist Work Permit (HQS)

The Highly Qualified Specialist work permit is for highly qualified foreign specialists hired by a genuine Russian employer who meet the statutory high-salary threshold and seek a longer-term, non-quota permit.

The general HQS salary must be at least RUB 750,000 per quarter, normally RUB 3,000,000 per year. Different thresholds may apply to special categories. The employer must be an eligible Russian entity, actually pay the salary, submit quarterly notifications, and fulfill tax and medical-insurance obligations. The employee must demonstrate specialist status through their personal qualifications, role, and contract.

An HQS work permit and multiple-entry work visa can generally be issued for the contract term, up to three years, and may be renewed. After entry, the individual must complete migration registration and any required examinations before lawfully starting work. Salary and quarterly notification requirements must continue to be met during the renewal period.

Changing employers generally requires the new employer to obtain a new permit and invitation. If the role, location, or core contract conditions change, the applicable amendment requirements should be confirmed. After employment ends, arrangements for a new employer or departure must follow the special HQS time limits; the individual cannot continue working solely because the visa has not yet expired.

3. Regular Work Permit

A regular work permit is for visa-national foreign employees who do not meet HQS conditions and are hired by a local Russian employer under the regular quota and permit procedure.

The employer must have an available foreign-worker quota, where applicable, authorization to hire foreign nationals, a genuine position or occupation, and a contract. The employee must obtain an individual work permit, invitation, and work visa, and meet medical examination, fingerprinting, qualification, and regulated-occupation conditions. This route does not impose one universal bachelor’s degree requirement for every position, but pay cannot be below labor-law or regional or industry requirements.

Regular permits are generally restricted by quota, occupation, region, contract, and visa validity. The common maximum validity is one year, but the final period is determined by the approval decision. Work may begin only after the person completes entry registration and statutory examinations. A renewal or new permit should be obtained before expiry.

Changing employer, occupation, or region generally requires a new permit. After employment ends, the original employer must notify the termination, and the employee should obtain a new lawful basis for status or leave Russia. The original permit cannot be transferred to another employer, occupation, or region.

2. Entry, Family Members, and Other Arrangements

Visas, work approvals, and residence documents should match the actual activities and each other’s validity periods. Eligible family members of HQS holders may accompany them and obtain the corresponding visas or residence status, but they generally do not automatically receive work rights. Family members who intend to work must obtain their own work authorization.

Family members of regular work permit holders must separately obtain the applicable accompanying or private-visit visas. The principal applicant’s regular work permit does not automatically grant family members work rights. Study, transit, and other personal statuses must also independently meet their corresponding conditions; the principal applicant’s permit cannot be used directly as a family member’s entry or employment document.

3. Extensions, Changes, Termination, and Status Maintenance

4. How sailglobal Can Help

If you plan to send personnel to Russia for a business visit, local employment, a short-term project, or accompanying-family arrangements, contact sailglobal to understand the applicable route and application requirements based on the person’s status, job responsibilities, and travel arrangements.

Visa, work permit, and residence applications are independently decided by the relevant competent authorities. sailglobal does not guarantee an approval result or a fixed issuance date.