Periods of stay for foreign nationals extended once again
Presidential Decree No. 791 dated December 15, 2020 (effective on December 15, 2020) has extended once again the temporary measures applied since March 15, 2020 to regulate the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation due to the threat of the spread of coronavirus thereby extending the periods of stay for foreign nationals until June 15, 2021. According to this decree:
The validity term of the following migration documents issued to foreign nationals has been suspended until June 15, 2021:
- Migration registration;
- Registration;
- Temporary residence permit;
- Residence permit;
- Visa;
- Immigration card;
- Refugee certificate;
- Temporary asylum certificate;
- State program participant certificate (provided that they were valid for March 15, 2020 and issued to state program participants and their family members outside the Russian Federation).
The ban on the following has been extended until June 15, 2021:
- Compulsory expulsion from the Russian Federation and deportation;
- Withdrawal of refugee, temporary asylum status;
- Cancelation of previously issued visas, work permits, patents, temporary residence permits, residence permits, state program participant certificates.
However, this does not apply to foreign nationals and stateless persons released from places of detention, those who have violated Russian state border laws, or those who pose a threat to the national security of the Russian Federation, including those who advocate for a violent change in the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation, or those who assist with the commission of terrorist (extremist) acts or committing them, as well as other actions supporting terrorist (extremist) activities, encroaching upon public order and public safety, in particular, by participating in unauthorized meetings, rallies, demonstrations, marches, and pickets.
From March 15, 2021 onwards, the above measures will not apply to the citizens of countries (as well as persons holding a residence permit or other document entitling them to permanently reside in a foreign state) with which transport links have been resumed since December 15, 2020 (except for “evacuation” flights). On December 15, 2020, transport links were resumed with 15 countries: the United Kingdom, Tanzania, Turkey, Switzerland, Egypt, Maldives, United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Cuba, Serbia, Japan, Seychelles, and Ethiopia.
If transport links are resumed with foreign states after December 15, 2020, the above procedure will not apply to the citizens of these foreign states within 90 of the date of transport link resumption. Foreign nationals who entered Russia under a visa-free procedure will be entitled from June 16, 2020 to June 15, 2021 inclusive to apply for or renew their patent regardless of the requirements for document submission deadlines and declared purpose of entry. Employers or customers of work (services) who have duly received an authorization to hire foreign employees may apply for or renew work permits for foreign nationals or stateless persons who entered Russia with a visa regardless of the requirements for declared purpose of entry for any period up to June 15, 2021 inclusive.
If you have any questions or you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to email Mikhail Borodin or Mika Kokkonen.
Truly yours,