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IMPACT – HIGH
The government has announced measures to ease immigration requirements for foreign nationals currently in Russia.
Key Points:
Background: Last week, Russia closed its borders to most foreign nationals in an effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The borders will be closed until May 1.
Analysis & Comments: The new measures are good news for employers and their foreign national employees, as it they will ease immigration status requirements. Applicants and their sponsors must visit their local migration office to request extensions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? The Russian government has announced that it has closed its borders to most foreign nationals.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals are banned from entering Russia. Exempt from the ban are those holding Russian permanent residence permit, transiting through Russia or arriving to Russia because of a close relative’s death.
Analysis & Comments: The new Russian travel restrictions were implemented to halt the spread of COVID-19, which continues to develop. The restrictions are in force until May 1 or until further notice. Employers should expect that any of their foreign employees who are currently outside of Russia will not be allowed to enter the country. Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
IMPACT – HIGH What is the change? The Russian government has issued new restrictions regarding Iranian passport holders and inbound travel from Iran and South Korea.
What does the change mean? Iranian passport holders are banned from entering Russia. Travelers from Iran who do not have Iranian passports may enter the country, but only from planes landing at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport and using terminal F for arrival. Travelers from South Korea are also only allowed to enter the country by plane using the same airport and terminal.
Background: The majority of Iranian nationals are banned from entering Russia. Additionally, the issuance of private, tourist, transit, student and work visas for Iranian nationals by local migration offices has been suspended. Transit visas already approved for Iranian passport holders will be canceled accordingly. Analysis & Comments: Iranian passport holders and foreign nationals in Iran planning travel to Russia may wish to reconsider their plans. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The suspension of visa application acceptance and visa issuance at Russian consulates in China continues.
What does the change mean? Russian consulates in China are not accepting visa applications or issuing visas to Chinese nationals for work, study or tourism, and Chinese nationals with existing visas may not enter Russia for work, study or tourism. Visas for service, business, humanitarian reasons and transit are not affected.
Background: Previously, Russia suspended work-related visas, as well as tourism-related e-visas to Chinese nationals outside Russia.
Analysis & Comments: Employers and their Chinese national employees should continue to anticipate stricter implementation of the restrictions on the part of migration and border control authorities, which may include refusal to extend work permits or issue permits already approved for Chinese nationals currently residing and working in Russia. Deloitte will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available.
What is the change? Some foreign students will be eligible to work in Russia without a work permit beginning this summer.
What does the change mean? Foreign students studying in accredited, full-time vocational and higher education institutions will be permitted to work during off-class hours without having to obtain a work permit as of Aug. 5, 2020.
Analysis & Comments: This is good news for employers as it will simplify the hiring process for employing foreign students. To be eligible, foreign students must be currently studying in Russia in an accredited full-time vocational or higher education program. Employers must keep in mind, however, that any labor or service contract with a foreign student will be terminated should the student leave or complete his or her studies. Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.
What is the change? The government has suspended the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals residing outside of Russia.
What does the change mean? Russian consulates are not accepting visa applications or issuing visas to Chinese nationals, and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has likewise suspended e-visa issuance to Chinese nationals wishing to visit Russian cities.
Background: The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms and double pneumonia, and thousands of people in China have been infected. The World Health Organization designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, and many countries have recently implemented travel restrictions and issued warnings in response to the spread of the coronavirus.
Analysis & Comments: Russia has implemented comprehensive entrance restrictions on nationals of China, a country with which it shares an extensive border, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The following services are currently suspended for Chinese nationals staying outside of Russia: Acceptance of work visa applications, issuance of work visa invitation letters, corporate employment permits and work permits. The government has also temporarily suspended visa-free entry for tourist groups from China, as well as e-visas for Chinese nationals wishing to visit certain cities in both the Asian and European regions of Russia. Employers and their Chinese national employees should anticipate stricter implementation of the restrictions on the part of migration and border control authorities, which may include refusal to extend work permits for Chinese nationals currently residing and working in Russia. Deloitte will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed.
What is the change? Russia has extended requirements for foreign nationals to prove they have been immunized against measles.
What does the change mean? Under an order issued in November, employers must ensure that all foreign employees are immunized for measles or have either had measles or were previously immunized. Immunization certificates not issued in Russia must be legalized/apostilled and include a notarized translation into Russian. Employers must report the immunization status of existing employees, as well as employees hired in 2020, to the appropriate Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) office.
Background: The order regarding measles immunizations remains in effect until Dec. 31, 2020, and is expected to be extended into future years.
Analysis & Comments: To comply with the measles requirements, employers are encouraged to put in place procedures to ensure that they request and document information from foreign assignees to Russia about their measles status and submit supporting documents with their report to the Russian government agency. Employers who violate the public health laws face fines of 10,000 to 20,000 rubles or suspension of business operations for up to 90 days.
Reports on the salaries paid to highly qualified specialists during the fourth quarter of 2019 (October through December) must be submitted in January. The reports, which employers must complete to show that they have met minimum salary payment levels, are required quarterly.
Analysis & Comments: Companies should ensure that they submit their quarterly reports on time and that the salaries comply with wage thresholds for HQS workers.
Source: Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? The Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare is recommending that companies in Russia submit a report detailing the immunization status of each foreign employee by Dec. 31.
What does the change mean? Employers should submit an official letter, listing all foreign nationals and their immunization status, to their territorial Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare office as soon as possible and before the immunization deadline.
Background: In March, Russia launched a measles vaccination campaign and announced that all current foreign workers must be immunized by Dec. 31 and that all new hires must be immunized thereafter.
Analysis & Comments: Companies can submit reports in person (in-person applications are accepted every Thursday) or via email. Failure to prove status of vaccinations or employee refusals by Dec. 31 may result in penalties and fines for the company.
What is the change? Russian immigration authorities will no longer issue Letters of Invitation in paper form.
What does the change mean? Companies will be able to access issued LOIs electronically.
Additional information: Previously, sponsoring entities had the option of receiving either a paper or electronic LOI when submitting the LOI application.
Analysis & Comments: The change removes the option for companies to receive paper LOIs. While the applications will still be accepted in paper form, the letter of invitation will no longer be issued as a paper document. Instead, the issued LOI will be sent in digital form to the relevant Russian Consulate abroad via a governmental information system and the invited party and sponsoring entity will be able to print a notice with LOI details.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.