To work in Russia, foreign nationals must obtain a work patent. One of the mandatory steps is undergoing medical examinations and receiving the relevant medical certificates.
Medical examinations are required to confirm that the individual does not have diseases that could pose a risk to public health.

Required Documents

To undergo the medical examination, you must have the following documents:

Fingerprint registration is the process of collecting biometric data that allows a person to be identified by their fingerprints. During the procedure, fingerprints are taken and a photograph is captured to be recorded in a special database of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). This is required for security purposes and to ensure that children of foreign nationals are able to attend school or kindergarten in Russia. The procedure is simple and mandatory for children from the age of six.

A permanent residence permit (VNJ) is a document that grants a foreign national the right to live permanently in Russia. With a VNJ, a person can freely move around the country and travel abroad, work legally, and access a range of social services.

What a Permanent Residence Permit Provides

Holders of a permanent residence permit (VNJ) in Russia enjoy a broad range of rights that bring their legal status close to that of Russian citizens.

Many foreign nationals need a work patent to be legally employed in Russia. However, there are categories of people for whom this document is not required. They can start working immediately without additional paperwork.

Categories of Individuals Who Do Not Need a Patent

Under Russian law, certain categories of foreign nationals are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work patent. The main categories include:

Briefly About TRP

A Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is a document that allows foreign citizens to legally live and work in Russia for a certain period. Most often, a TRP is issued for three years, though in some cases the duration may be shorter. A TRP provides the opportunity to apply for a residence permit, which is necessary for obtaining Russian citizenship.

The Moscow region is the largest and most complex in terms of migration in Russia. Federal laws apply here, but there are also specific regulations that help manage the large influx of foreign citizens. These features are important for those coming to work, study, or live in Moscow and its surrounding areas.

What distinguishes migration rules in Moscow and the Moscow Region?

Moscow and the Moscow Region have additional migration control measures aimed at simplifying registration and improving safety for law-abiding migrants while creating effective barriers for those who violate the law. For example, digital technologies have been introduced to monitor and track migrants’ presence, which helps process data faster and reduce the number of violations.

Why are these exams required?

For those who want to live and work in Russia, several important exams must be passed. These exams assess knowledge of the Russian language, the history of Russia, and the fundamentals of Russian legislation. Passing these exams is mandatory to obtain citizenship, a temporary residence permit, permanent residency, a work patent, or a work permit.

What is the deportation regime?

The deportation regime is a special legal framework applied to foreign citizens residing in Russia without legal grounds. It came into effect on February 5, 2025, and is aimed at regulating their stay, encouraging voluntary departure from the country, or obtaining legal status.

Who is affected by the regime?

Foreign citizens fall under the deportation regime in the following cases:

An employment contract is an agreement between an employer and an employee that regulates their working relationship. A contract with a foreign citizen has its own specifics, defined by the Labor Code and other Russian laws.

Main Requirements for Signing a Contract

To be legally employed, a foreign worker must be at least 18 years old. The employment contract must be drawn up in Russian, but it can also be translated into a language understood by the employee. This ensures mutual understanding and protects both parties’ rights.

Mandatory health insurance (OMS) is a system that allows access to free medical care. In Russia, both citizens and foreign nationals with a health insurance policy can receive treatment and undergo examinations under OMS.

Medical assistance is provided in state and private institutions that are part of the OMS system.

Who Must Have a Policy

Anyone coming to Russia for work or planning to stay long-term must have a mandatory health insurance policy. This includes individuals with a temporary residence permit, residence permit, work patent, or work visa. Even students must have a policy to access medical care. Without it, registration may be denied, fines issued, or deportation initiated. It is also impossible to obtain a work permit, arrange temporary or permanent residence, or even get medical assistance at a clinic without a policy.