Search
Contact
Login
Share this article
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Reports on the salaries paid to highly qualified specialists during the second quarter of 2017 (April through June) must be submitted between July 1 and July 31.
What does the change mean? The reports are required quarterly, and employers must meet minimum salary payment levels by the end of each quarter.
BAL Analysis: Companies should ensure that they submit their quarterly reports on time and that the salaries comply with wage thresholds for HQS workers.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? Russia’s ban on visa-free travel and new work permits for Turkish nationals will soon be lifted, according to a May 31 presidential order.
What does the change mean? Turkish nationals will be allowed to travel to Russia for business, tourism or work.
Background: Russia has imposed travel restrictions since November 2015, when Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet over its border with Syria. Additional economic sanctions on Turkish companies doing business in Russia were imposed January 2016.
BAL Analysis: The lifting of the ban will ease business travel and allow Russian companies to apply for work permits for Turkish employees. BAL is following implementation of the order and will update clients on new developments.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in the Russian Federation. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? Russia has moved to tighten registration rules for Russian and foreign nationals during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup soccer tournaments.
What does the change mean? During times when the tightened registration rules are in place, foreign nationals arriving in areas hosting soccer matches must notify relevant immigration authorities of where they are staying within one day of their arrival. Russian nationals coming from other parts of Russia must register with the relevant authorities within three calendar days of their arrival. The requirements for both foreign and Russian nationals apply no matter whether the stay is temporary or permanent. Those participating in soccer matches or representing FIFA, FIFA subsidiaries or national soccer organizations are exempt.
Background: Russia is hosting the Confederations Cup, an eight-country international soccer tournament, this summer, and the World Cup, soccer’s top international tournament, in 2018. Officials will increase security measures, including the registration requirements listed above, during the tournaments.
BAL Analysis: Those planning travel to cities hosting Confederations and World Cup soccer matches are urged to follow the requirements listed above. Failing to do so could lead to administrative penalties, including fines for visitors and hosting entities alike. Foreign nationals who fail to register risk not only fines but expulsion from Russia. Those planning travel to Russia during relevant time periods should consult with BAL to ensure they follow proper procedures.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Russia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? Russian officials are treating flights to and from Belarus as international flights, a change in policy after the flights were previously treated the same as domestic travel.
What does the change mean? Russian and Belarusian nationals arriving in Russia on flights from Belarus will land in an international terminal and be directed to control points for citizens of the “Union State.” They should be sure to carry a boarding pass and their passports. Third-country nationals will be required to go through border controls and must carry their passports as well. Third-country nationals can transit through Russia when flying directly to Belarus, but the visa-free program Belarus implemented in January is not available for travelers arriving in Minsk on flights from Russia.
Background: For years, flights between Russia and Belarus were treated the same as domestic flights within Russia. This changed Monday, however, and flights from Belarus will be routed to international terminals in Russia airports. That said, Russian and Belarusian nationals will have quicker entry procedures than third-country nationals, as they will be routed to a line specifically for Union State nationals. Belarus seems unlikely to implement similar procedures at its airports for flights from Russia, with authorities saying they see no reason to do so at this point.
BAL Analysis: Travelers should take note of the change and build extra time into their travel plans if necessary.
What is the change? Reports on the salaries paid to highly qualified specialists during the first quarter of 2017 (January through March) must be submitted between April 1 and April 28.
What is the change? A visa-free travel agreement between South Africa and Russia will take effect March 30.
What does the change mean? South African and Russian nationals will be able to travel to each other’s countries for up to 90 days for business and tourism.
Background: The visa-free arrangement will take effect March 30 after the deal was finalized recently with an exchange of official documents, according to a statement on the Russian Embassy’s website. The statement says the visa-free program is open to travelers “without the intention of working, studying or living in the other country’s territory” for up to 90 days.
BAL Analysis: The arrangement will ease travel procedures for South African and Russian nationals traveling to each other’s countries beginning March 30.
What is the change? United Arab Emirates authorities have announced that Russian nationals are now permitted to travel to the UAE without first obtaining a visa.
What does the change mean? Russian nationals may now travel to the UAE for business or tourism purposes and obtain a visa on arrival that is valid for up to 30 days.
Background: Under the new process, Russian nationals will be allowed to remain in the UAE for up to 30 days on a visa on arrival. Those who intend to stay longer than 30 days may obtain an extension for a charge. Additional information is available the website for the UAE embassy in Russia.
BAL Analysis: The change will simplify the visa process for Russian tourists and business people traveling to the UAE. Those with questions about what types of activities are permitted on a visa on arrival should contact BAL.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in the United Arab Emirates. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? Employers have until Jan. 31 to report the salaries of foreign highly qualified specialists covering the last quarter of 2016 (October through December).
What does the change mean? The salaries must comply with the wage thresholds set for highly qualified specialists, which are 167,000 rubles (about US$2,800) per calendar month, or 501,000 rubles per quarter if there was a gap in employment during the quarter.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman& Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? Reports on the salaries paid to highly qualified specialists during the fourth quarter of 2016 (October through December) are due Jan 31.
What does the change mean? The reports are required quarterly, and employers must meet the minimum salary payment levels by the end of each quarter.
Background: Employers must meet quarterly salary thresholds and report them each quarter. Companies that do not comply with the rules may be fined 400,000 to 1 million rubles (about US$6,508 to $16,269). Individual company officers may also be fined 35,000 to 70,000 rubles.
BAL Analysis: Companies are reminded to submit the salary notifications no later than Jan. 31 and to observe the mandatory salary minimums.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? The Russian government has expanded the list of employers who are allowed to hire Turkish nationals.
What does the change mean? The government has exempted designated companies from a ban on hiring Turkish nationals that was implemented in January.
Background: On Jan. 1, 2016, the government placed several restrictions on Turkish nationals, including a ban on Russian employers hiring Turkish nationals who were not already in an employment agreement as of the ban. The Russian government has now expanded the list of companies exempt from the ban. The full list is available here.
BAL Analysis: Employers should continue to track the status of Turkish employees in Russia for work permit expirations. In addition, the ban continues to apply to the visa waiver and thus requires that Turkish nationals obtain a visa to enter Russian territory.