The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has prepared a draft order defining the list of professions and positions for which work permits for foreign specialists can be issued outside the established quota. The document was published on 28 September on the portal of draft regulatory legal acts. A list of positions currently in force was approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor dated 15.05.2023 No. 459n (for more details, see our article).
Six universal positions
The most compact part of the list includes six positions for which the company's field of activity does not matter:
- general director of an enterprise (except for small business entities);
- software engineer;
- head of an enterprise;
- programmer;
- commissioning and testing technician;
- enterprise manager.
Another 180 professions by industry
The main body of the list covers about 180 specialties distributed across eleven types of economic activity. These include:
- agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing and fish farming;
- certain areas of manufacturing;
- supply of electric energy, gas and steam, air conditioning;
- construction;
- hotel business and public catering;
- information and communication;
- healthcare and social services;
- culture, sports and leisure activities.
For specialists from these fields, the employer will be able to obtain a work permit without obtaining a quota for attracting foreign labor for the company.
Mechanism and restrictions
Currently, such lists are approved by the Ministry of Labor. From 23 January 2027, the authority will pass to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which will form the list in agreement with the Ministry of Labor. The mechanism applies only to specialists entering Russia under the visa procedure. It does not apply to foreigners working under a patent.
Frequently asked questions:
-
What is a quota for foreign labor in Russia?
A quota is a state-established limit on the number of work permits that can be issued to foreign citizens during a year. It is determined by the Government of the Russian Federation taking into account the needs of the labor market and the priority of Russian specialists. -
Which professions of foreigners can work outside the quota in 2027?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs list includes: general director, software engineer, head of an enterprise, programmer, commissioning and testing technician, enterprise manager, as well as about 180 specialties in agriculture, construction, industry, the hotel business, healthcare, culture and sports. -
Is a work permit required if the profession is included in the list outside the quota?
Yes. A work permit is issued without fail. Outside the quota means only that there is no need to wait for a free place within the overall limit, but migration formalities remain. -
Does the new mechanism apply to foreigners with a patent?
No. The outside-the-quota mechanism applies only to specialists entering Russia under the visa procedure. It does not apply to foreigners working under a patent. -
Who approves the list of professions for foreigners outside the quota?
Currently, such lists are approved by the Ministry of Labor. From the beginning of next year, the authority will pass to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which will coordinate the list with the Ministry of Labor. -
What documents does an employer need to hire a foreigner outside the quota?
The employer needs: a permit to attract foreign labor, a work permit for the foreigner himself, an employment contract, notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the conclusion of the contract, as well as documents confirming the specialist's qualifications. -
What powers will the Ministry of Internal Affairs receive in the field of labor migration from 2027?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs will determine: the list of professions outside the quota, the simplified procedure for issuing a residence permit for certain specialists, as well as the conditions under which an employee has the right to work outside the region specified in the documents.
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