Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation informs
IT-specialists and their family members
Foreign IT-specialists have the right to sign an employment or civil law contract (service agreement) with companies/firms officially licensed by the Government of the Russian Federation as IT organizations (except for those that hold resident status within the territory of technology-innovative type special economic zones) without any work permit or a patent.
Employers (accredited IT-companies) can hire such specialists without an official permit. A firm/company’s official license can be confirmed in the open government registration list “Accredited IT-companies” (URL: https://digital.gov.ru/ru/activity/govservices/1/).
A foreign IT-specialist employed in an accredited IT-company, as well as his family members (including spouse, children, along with adopted ones, spouses of children, parents, along with foster ones, spouses of parents, grandparents, grandchildren) are eligible for obtaining an unlimited residence permit in the Russian Federation in a simplified way.
To obtain a residence permit an IT-specialist, as well as his family members, has to contact the migration department of a territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the chosen place of permanent residence. The processing time of an application for a residence permit in the Russian federation is three months.
In addition to the basic documents required to apply for a residence permit in the Russian Federation, a foreign IT-specialist has to provide:
- an employment contract executed in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation or a civil contract for the performance of works (provision of services) concluded with an accredited IT-company.
- a document on education and (or) qualifications confirming the existence of education and (or) qualifications in the IT field;
- documents proving the degree of kinship - in the case of applying for a residence permit by family members of a foreign IT specialist.
More detailed information about the list of documents required to apply for a residence permit in the Russian Federation can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (www.мвд.рф) in the section "Public services - The Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia - Issuance of a Residence Permit".
The indicated preferences are valid from June 28, 2022 (Federal Law No. 207-FZ of June 28, 2022 "On Amendments to the Federal Law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation").
