Multiple-entry work visa

An ordinary work visa is a document confirming a foreign citizen's right to enter the Russian Federation and carry out employment activity on the basis of an employment or civil-law contract with a Russian employer.

Main parameters of a standard work visa:

·         Validity period: for the term of the employment contract, but not more than 1 year

·         Number of entries: upon initial issuance — single-entry; upon extension — multiple-entry

·         Basis: permit to attract foreign labor (for the employer) and work permit (for the employee)

Differences between a standard work visa and an HQS visa

See also: Work visa for HQS

Step-by-step procedure

Step 1. Obtaining a permit to attract foreign labor

A permit to attract foreign labor is a document granting the employer the right to attract foreign workers. It is issued to the employer.

Two ways to obtain it:

Path 1. Quota procedure

If the position is not included in the list of quota-exempt positions, the employer is obliged to obtain a quota. The procedure includes the following stages:

1.1. Posting a vacancy on the “Work in Russia” portal
The employer posts a vacancy on the “Work in Russia” portal ( trudvsem.ru). This requires a confirmed account on Gosuslugi.

1.2. Submitting an application on the AIK “Migration Quotas” website
An application for quota allocation is submitted through the automated information complex “Migration Quotas” —  migrakvota.gov.ru. The employer fills out the application, provides information on the need for workers, positions and qualifications, and attaches justification of the need.

1.3. Transfer of documents to the authorized body
Documents are transferred to the authorized body of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation. For example, in Moscow this is the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population (DTSZN). The package includes information about the employer, justification of the need, information about workers, a draft employment contract, and quota documents. In some regions (for example, in the Moscow Region), documents may be submitted electronically provided they are signed with an electronic digital signature.

1.4. Consideration of the application by the commission
The application is considered by the interdepartmental commission on issues of attracting and using foreign workers. The commission meets 3–4 times a year. Several months may pass from the moment of submission to its consideration.

1.5. Receiving an order on quota allocation
Based on the results of the meeting, an order on quota allocation is issued. The order is published 1.5–2 months after the commission meeting. After receiving the order, it becomes possible to submit documents for a work permit for specific workers. The quota is valid within the established period (as a rule, a calendar year).

Specific features of the quota procedure:

·         the permit to attract is issued for specific positions and citizenships; when attracting workers from different countries or for different positions, this is reflected in the permit

·         the quota may be used and documents for attraction may be submitted within 90 days from the moment of its approval; after this period the quota is annulled

Path 2. Quota-exempt position

If the position is included in the list approved by the Government of the Russian Federation, no quota is required. The permit to attract is issued in the general procedure, but without the quota procedure. The list of quota-exempt positions is periodically updated — the employer must monitor the current version.

See also: List of quota-exempt positions and professions in 2026
See also: Quota for attracting foreign workers in 2026 - 2027

The processing time for an application for a permit to attract foreign labor is up to 30 calendar days, and under the new MVD regulation — up to 79 calendar days from the date of registration of the request and documents.

At this stage, the MVD receives the relevant conclusion on the expediency or inexpediency of attracting foreign workers from the Department of Labor and Employment, analyzes the documents and makes its decision.

If a positive decision is made, the employer may come and receive the permit to attract foreign labor. The permit may be received by a representative of the organization by power of attorney.

The permit to attract is valid for one year. It is valid only in the constituent entity of the Russian Federation where the documents were directly submitted. Submission of documents for two or more constituent entities of the Federation requires separate submission in each region.

Step 2. Obtaining a work permit for a foreign citizen

A work permit for a foreign citizen is a document confirming the right of a specific foreign citizen to carry out employment activity. It is issued to the worker.

Distinction: the permit to attract is issued to the employer, the work permit — to the worker; one without the other is invalid.

List of documents for submission to the MVD:

·         original permit to attract foreign labor

·         notarized translation of the foreign citizen's passport

·         notarized translation of the legalized education diploma (for a quota-exempt position)

·         color matte photograph 35×45 mm

·         payment order for payment of the state fee — 5,000 rubles

·         original certificate of knowledge of the Russian language, history and legislation (for a quota-exempt position; submitted upon application or no later than 90 days from the moment of obtaining the permit)

Processing time: 15 working days from the date of acceptance of documents; if additional verification is necessary, the period may be extended.

Additionally checked:

·         absence of unresolved violations of migration, labor and tax legislation

·         absence of tax debt to budgets of all levels

·         presence of an office at the address of the organization's location

·         compliance of the actual number of foreign workers with the data in the MVD database

Step 3. Processing an invitation for 3 months

An invitation for 3 months is a document processed by the employer with the MVD for the subsequent obtaining of a visa by the foreign citizen at the consulate.

Procedure: the employer submits documents to the MVD; the invitation is processed electronically and sent to the Russian consulate abroad.

Validity period of the invitation: 3 months.

Submission deadlines: documents for processing the invitation may be submitted immediately after submitting documents for the work permit and receiving the corresponding acceptance mark. Waiting for the work permit to be issued is not required. Both procedures may be carried out in parallel, which shortens the overall processing time.

Specific features:

·         to process the invitation, the employer must undergo the procedure of registering the organization with the MVD; during registration, an inspection is conducted at the actual location of the organization

·         the invitation is issued for no more than three months

Step 4. Obtaining a visa at the consulate for 3 months

Procedure: on the basis of the invitation, the foreign citizen applies to the Russian consulate abroad and receives a work visa.

Visa validity period: 3 months.

Purpose: the initial 3-month visa ensures entry into Russia and completion of the procedures necessary to obtain a work permit (medical examination, fingerprint registration). After obtaining the work permit, the visa is extended.

Specific features:

·         the consulate checks the invitation and documents; if there are errors or discrepancies, visa issuance may be refused

·         the 3-month visa is, as a rule, single-entry; a multiple-entry visa is issued upon extension

Step 5. Entry into the Russian Federation and mandatory procedures

After entry, the foreign citizen is obliged to undergo the following within 30 calendar days:

Medical examination — in an authorized medical organization of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation. Based on the results, an electronic medical conclusion is issued; processing time — 5–7 working days. The conclusion is entered into the unified state information system within 24 hours and transmitted to the MVD and Rospotrebnadzor. From September 2026, personal submission of results to the MVD is not required — transmission is carried out automatically.

Fingerprint registration and photographing — at the territorial body of the MVD or a specialized center, also within 30 calendar days from the date of entry.

Consequences of non-compliance:

·         without completing these procedures, the work permit is not issued

·         missing deadlines may become grounds for refusal to issue the permit or its annulment

·         refusal or evasion of medical examination constitutes an administrative offense (fine from two thousand to four thousand rubles, in certain cases — expulsion)

Step 6. Obtaining the work permit

Procedure: after undergoing the medical examination and fingerprint registration, the employer receives the work permit on the basis of a power of attorney.

Validity period: for the term of the employment contract, but not more than 1 year.

Specific features:

·         the permit is valid only in the constituent entity of the Russian Federation where it was issued and only for the profession or position specified in it; moving to another region or changing position requires a new permit

Step 7. Extending the visa up to 1 year

Extension of the work visa up to 1 year — after obtaining the work permit, the visa is extended. Instead of a 3-month visa, a multiple-entry work visa is issued for the term of the employment contract, but not more than 1 year for each extension.

Place of extension: MVD at the place of stay of the foreign citizen.

List of documents:

·         visa extension application

·         passport

·         employer's petition

·         copy of the extended work permit

·         migration card and document on migration registration

·         documents on payment of the state fee

·         copy of the employment contract

Specific features:

·         it is recommended to begin extension of permits 4–6 months before the expiration of the current ones, since extension of the work permit requires obtaining a new quota or confirmation of the quota-exempt position

·         if the visa expires without a processed extension, the foreign citizen is obliged to leave the Russian Federation; violation entails administrative liability and a possible entry ban

Timelines: summary table

Grounds for refusal and annulment

Refusal to issue a work permit is possible in cases where the foreign citizen:

·         is a consumer of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor's prescription

·         suffers from infectious diseases posing a danger to others

·         submitted forged or falsified documents or knowingly provided false information about himself

·         has an outstanding or unexpunged criminal record

·         has two or more administrative offenses within the period established by law

·         has not undergone mandatory fingerprint registration and photographing

Annulment of the work permit is possible, among other things, in cases where:

·         the foreign citizen's income is absent or below the established threshold taking into account the regional coefficient and dependents

·         the employer has not notified the MVD of the conclusion or termination of the employment contract

·         the permit to attract has lost force

·         a Russian language certificate has not been provided (when attracting to a quota-exempt position)

Additionally: the procedure for verifying income is established by MVD order No. 728 dated September 15, 2026 and entered into force on October 1, 2026.

Employer's obligations after obtaining the work permit

·         notify the MVD of the conclusion and termination of employment contracts within 3 days (violation entails a fine of up to 1 million rubles, suspension of activity for up to 90 days)

·         monitor the registration of foreign workers for migration at the place of residence

·         comply with the permissible share of foreign workers by type of economic activity

·         provide voluntary medical insurance (VMI) for foreign workers

·         monitor the validity periods of the work permit and visa

·         extend the work permit and visa in a timely manner

Advantages of cooperation with Confidence Group

Confidence Group provides support for processing a standard work visa throughout Russia:

·          Permit to attract: quota or quota-exempt position

·          Work permit: preparation and submission of documents to the MVD, control of the 15-day period

·          Invitation and visa: coordination of stages, document verification, parallel submission

·          Medical examination and fingerprinting: control of the 30-day period

·          Extension: advance preparation 4–6 months in advance

·          Compliance: notifications, reporting, reminders

Frequently asked questions

How long is a standard work visa valid?
For the term of the employment contract, but not more than 1 year. It is extended each time for no more than 1 year.

Why is a 3-month visa issued first, and then an extension?
The 3-month visa ensures entry into Russia and completion of the procedures (medical examination, fingerprint registration) necessary to obtain a work permit. After obtaining the permit, the visa is extended up to 1 year.

Is it possible to obtain a visa for a year immediately?
No. Initially, a 3-month visa is issued on the basis of the invitation. After obtaining the work permit, the visa is extended.

How does a standard visa differ from an HQS visa?
Standard visa: term up to 1 year, visas for family members are not issued, a quota is required (if the position is not quota-exempt). HQS: term up to 3 years, multiple-entry, with the right to issue visas for family members, no quota required.

Is a medical examination required?
Yes, within 30 calendar days after entry.

Is it possible to extend the visa without leaving Russia?
Yes, extension is carried out at the MVD at the place of stay. It is recommended to begin 4–6 months before the expiration of the current visa.

Can a worker on a standard visa bring his family?
No. Unlike HQS, a standard work visa does not provide for the issuance of visas for accompanying family members.

Is it possible to submit documents for the invitation without waiting for the work permit?
Yes. Documents for processing the invitation may be submitted immediately after submitting documents for the work permit and receiving the corresponding acceptance mark. This allows both procedures to be carried out in parallel and shortens the overall period.