Starting September 1, 2025, a unified work patent will be introduced for foreign citizens in Moscow and the Moscow Region. The new employment procedure is established by Federal Law No. 121-FZ and an interregional agreement, which will simplify the patent application process for migrants and their legal employment for employers.
This agreement was concluded following the enactment of a law effective September 1, 2025, that allows working under a patent in two neighboring regions (more details in our news).
Additionally, on August 22, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) published Order No. 552, which introduces an updated form for notifying about the conclusion of an employment or civil law contract with a foreign citizen and permits work under a patent in neighboring regions (more details in our news).
Key provisions of the new patent law:
One patent for two regions: A foreign citizen will be able to work legally throughout the capital region - both in Moscow and the Moscow Region - based on a document issued by one of the constituent entities.
• Effective period: The agreement will be in effect fr om September 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029.
• Retroactive effect: The rules also apply to work patents issued before the agreement came into force.
• MVD notification: The employer is obliged to notify the migration authorities within 3 business days of hiring a foreigner. This rule applies when changing the work region within the agreement (Moscow ↔ Moscow Region).
• Advance tax payments: The patent tax must be paid at the place of actual employment.
Questions and answers:
-
Is a separate patent needed to work in the Moscow Region if one already has a Moscow patent?
No, starting September 1, 2025, a patent obtained in Moscow will be valid in the Moscow Region and vice versa. A unified patent space is being introduced. -
What is required to obtain a patent in Moscow in 2025?
Standard document package: passport, migration card, registration notification, medical certificate, certificate of proficiency in Russian language, history, and law fundamentals. The exact list should be verified at the GBU "Migration Center" directly before applying. -
How should an employer notify the MVD about hiring a foreigner with a patent?
The employer must submit a notification of concluding an employment contract to the territorial body of the MVD within 3 business days. This can be done online through the Gosuslugi portal or in person. -
Where to pay for a patent to work in the Moscow Region?
Advance payments for the patent must be made in the region wh ere the work is performed. If working in Moscow, pay for a Moscow patent; if in the region, pay for a Moscow Region patent, even if the patent was originally issued in another subject of the agreement. -
Does a patent obtained before September 1, 2025, need to be changed?
No, it does not need to be changed. The provisions of the agreement also apply to patents issued before its effective date.
For more information, please contact the consultants of the Confidence Group company.
* The texts of the newsletters are intellectual property of Confidence Group, protected by the copyright laws of Russia. The information may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without linking to this web site or to pages of this website.
