According to Federal Law No. 260-FZ, which came into force, the period of stay of foreign citizens arriving visa-free, 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 a year beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 (clause 5, article 2 of the Federal Law of 03.06.2011 N 107-FZ "On Calculating Time").
Confidence Group sent a request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia asking for clarification on how the period of stay of a foreign citizen who arrived without a visa is calculated if he arrived in Russia before 01.01.2025 and continues to stay in Russia. That is, at the time of his arrival in Russia, the previous rules were in effect (90 days within a period of 180 days), but from 01.01.2025, the provisions of the law that came into force are in effect (90 days within a calendar year). Please clarify the provisions of the current legislation by answering the following questions:
• how many days can a foreign citizen stay in the current 01.01.2025 (90 days, or taking into account the period already passed during the previous period)?
• from what moment will the period of permitted stay begin?
We received a response from the Ministry of Internal Affairs ( attached).
According to the clarifications received, a foreign citizen who entered the territory of Russia in 2024 may stay in Russia in 2025 for a total of no more than 90 days. The calculation of the period begins each year.
If a foreign citizen's stay falls at the end of one year and the beginning of another, then after 90 days of continuous stay (provided that they have not taken steps to extend the period, obtain permits), they are obliged to leave Russia, but can re-enter for the remaining permitted period in a given year.
The period is suspended if the foreign citizen has extended his/her period of stay, has obtained any status, or has submitted an application for the issuance of permits.
For more information, please contact the consultants of the Confidence Group company.
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