Explanations from the Ministry of Internal Affairs regarding the length of stay of foreign citizens who arrived in Russia without a visa on the basis of international treaties
From January 1, 2025, the provisions of Federal Law No. 260-FZ of 08.08.2024 came into force, reducing the maximum period of stay in Russia for foreign citizens arriving without a visa (more details in our news). According to Federal Law No. 260-FZ, which came into force, the period of stay of foreign citizens who arrived without a visa, from January 1, 2025, is no more than 90 days in a calendar year (previously, visa-free foreign citizens could stay in Russia for 90 days during a period of 180 days).A calendar year is considered to be a year beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 (clause 5, article 2, Federal Law of June 3, 2011, No. 107-FZ "On Calculating Time").
Confidence Group sent a request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia asking for clarification on what rules should be applied after the new law comes into force for citizens of states with which Russia has concluded treaties on visa-free stay, in the following cases:
• if the international treaty specifies the periods of visa-free stay of foreign citizens in Russia;
• if the international treaty does not specify such periods.
The following clarifications were received in response to this request: in this case, the rule established by Article 15 of the Constitution of Russia applies, according to which if an international treaty of Russia establishes rules different from those in the national law, then the provisions of the international treaty apply.
Thus, if an international treaty specifies the period for which citizens of these countries may stay in Russia (for example, citizens of Grenada may stay in Russia for 90 days within a period of 180 days), then the periods specified in the international treaty shall apply (in the example with a citizen of Grenada, such a citizen may stay in Russia for 90 days within a period of 180 days).
If an international treaty does not specify the period (for example, a treaty between the Kingdom of Thailand and Russia specifies that a citizen of the Kingdom of Thailand may stay in Russia for 30 days without specifying the total duration of visa-free stay during the year), then the period established in the federal law (90 days in a calendar year) shall apply to such citizens.
For more information, please contact the consultants of the Confidence Group company.
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