Law № 163 introduces important changes to the registration process of foreign citizens in Russia effective from 08 July 2018. It will affect all foreign citizens working in Russia including highly qualified specialists and their family members.
In particular, it will no longer be permitted that foreign employees (and accompanying family members) or foreign employees invited for a business trip, are registered by their employer at the address of the company office. An exception exists for foreigners residing either in the company’s office or in its premises that are specially equipped for living (special temporary housing buildings). The new law obliges landlords to register foreign citizens at their actual place of residence (i.e. where they sleep).
We would like to remind you that due to the World Cup championship until 26 July 2018 all foreign citizens must register with the migration authorities within three days of arrival. No exception is made for highly qualified specialists, who are normally only required to be registered with the migration authorities within 90 days on arrival.
As a consequence of the new law, in case you arrive in Russia after 08 July 2018 and during the World Cup, we highly recommend you to stay/register with a hotel.
There are no clarifications yet from the state bodies and no information on how the new law will work in practice.
We are in contact with the state bodies on this issue. We will keep you updated!
*Penalty reminder:
According to the Russian Code of Administrative Offences, penalties for not completing the migration registration of foreign citizen in RF are as follows:
1. Art. 18.8 – for foreign citizen – fine from 2 000 rub. up to 7 000 rub. (appr. 27- 95 euro) as well as a risk of administrative deportation.
2. Art. 18.9 – for inviting party: for company’s official – fine from 40 000 up to 50 000 rub (appr. 544 – 680 euro) and for legal entities – fine starting from 400 000 up to 500 000 rub. (appr. 5,441 – 6,801 euro)
3. Art. 19.27 concerning provision of false information about migration registration of foreign citizen for both parties: for foreign citizen – fine from 2 000 rub. up to 7 000 rub. (appr. 27 – 95 euro) as well as a risk of administrative deportation; for company’s official – from 35 000 up to 50 000 rub (appr. 476 – 680 euro) and for legal entities – fine from 350 000 up to till 800 000 rub. (appr. 4,760 – 10,882 euro).
