Fingerprinting, medical checkups and photography in Russia

Federal Law No. 274-FZ of July 1, 2021 on obligatory fingerprint and medical checkups for foreigners took effect on 29 December 2021.

• Upon entry for work purposes – within 30 calendar days from entry in Russia.
• Upon entry for other purposes for longer than 90 days – within 90 calendar days from entry in Russia.
• Repeated checkup upon expiry of previously received medical certificates – within 30 calendar days from their expiry.

The medical certificates issued as confirmation are valid for 3 months.

Medical checkups in fulfillment of the requirements of the Federal Law 274-FZ are conducted by clinics included in a list, which is to be approved by the authorities of the relevant Russian region.

In the territory of the city of Moscow such list is provided by the Decree of the Government of Moscow No. 1517ПП dated 28.09.2021.

The fingerprinting procedure requires that foreign nationals already hold valid medical certificates to confirm passing of their medical checkup.

Fingerprint registration and photographing are carried out once, while foreigners get supporting document at Ministry of Interior offices and certain authorized organizations.

• HQS employees who have not collected a work permit yet – upon collection of their work permit.
• Work patent applicants – upon filing an application for the patent.
• All other employees, including those who already have work permits and patents and those exempted from obtaining work permits – within 30 calendar days entry.
• Those entering for non-working purposes for longer than 90 days – within 90 calendar days from entry.

The procedure also includes taking a photo of the foreign national.

Foreign workers who obtain permits in Moscow will be able to undergo the procedure in Moscow Migration Center (located Sakharovo).

Affected foreign nationals who do not pass the fingerprinting procedure or medical checkups in time are subject to reduction of the allowed period of stay in Russia, in which case they must either exit Russia within 3 days or face possible deportation.

Citizens of Belarus, children under 6 years old, employees of intergovernmental organizations, diplomats and their family members of are exempted from new requirements.