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:

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.

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.

Obtaining a work patent in Russia has become a key requirement for labor migrants from most visa-free countries. In 2025, the procedure for issuing the document underwent several important changes that must be considered when planning employment.

Who Needs a Work Patent

A patent is mandatory for citizens of visa-free countries wishing to work in Russia. Citizens of Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan must obtain the document. Meanwhile, citizens of the Eurasian Economic Union countries — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan — can work without a patent under current agreements.

What is the Register of Controlled Persons and Why Does It Exist?

The Register of Controlled Persons is a special list of individuals considered to pose a potential threat to Russia’s security. This list may include foreign nationals who have violated the law or are suspected of dangerous activities.