Deputies have passed the first reading of a package of draft laws tightening the rules for medical examinations for foreign nationals: the time allowed for undergoing the commission will be cut threefold, and criminal liability will be introduced for forging certificates.
The Russian State Duma has passed the first reading of a package of amendments that fundamentally change the approach to medical control over foreign nationals. The changes tighten the requirements for testing for HIV, dangerous infectious diseases, and traces of drug use.
We previously reported on the preparation of these bills for consideration.
The new regulations aim to eliminate loopholes in the legislation that could previously be exploited by unscrupulous migrants and medical organizations. Specifically, clinics authorized to conduct such examinations will be directly prohibited from delegating their powers to third parties. Furthermore, examination results will henceforth exist exclusively in digital form: medical reports will be issued electronically and immediately transmitted to the Unified State Health Information System.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What does the medical examination for migrants in Russia include?
The mandatory medical examination for foreign nationals includes consultations with several specialist doctors: a general practitioner, an infectious disease specialist, a psychiatrist, a narcologist, a dermatovenerologist, and a phthisiatrician. Laboratory tests are also conducted: blood tests for HIV and syphilis, chemical-toxicological testing for narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as a fluorography (chest X-ray).
2. How much time will migrants now have to undergo the medical exam?
According to the new initiatives, the deadline for mandatory medical examination for foreign nationals arriving in Russia for more than 90 days is planned to be reduced from 90 days to 30 days from the date of entry into the country.
3. What fines are there for evading the medical exam?
For evading the mandatory medical examination, it is proposed to increase the administrative fine more than 12-fold. The new fine amount could range from 25,000 to 50,000 rubles. Additionally, a court may order the foreign national to be deported from Russia.
4. What is the penalty for presenting fake medical certificates?
Presenting a fake medical certificate will expose migrants to criminal liability. The punishment ranges from a fine of 500,000 to 1,000,000 rubles to imprisonment for up to 4 years. If the use of the fake document results in mass infection, the prison term could increase to 8 years.
5. What happens if a migrant is found to have a dangerous disease?
If a foreign national is found to have a dangerous infectious disease (e.g., HIV, tuberculosis) during the medical exam, the medical organization is obliged to inform Rospotrebnadzor and the Ministry of Internal Affairs within three days. The presence of such a disease will be grounds for revoking their permit documents and for immediate deportation.
6. Which organizations are authorized to conduct medical exams for migrants?
Medical examinations can only be conducted by organizations included by regional authorities in a special closed list of authorized medical institutions. Intermediaries will not be allowed in this process, and clinics themselves will be prohibited from outsourcing their examination functions to third parties.
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