The duration of stay in Russia for foreigners from visa-free countries may be limited

The head of the Federal Migration Service of Russia Konstantin Romodanovskiy supported the idea of limiting the stay of foreign citizens from visa-free countries in the Russian Federation. Restriction can reach 90 days within six-month period. Also there will be no opportunity to renew the period of stay in Russia immediately after the 90-day. That is the accepted practice when the foreigner leaves for a few days for his country to record the departure from the Russian Federation, and then returns, will not work from now on.

However, foreign citizens can get the FMS documents (temporary sojourn permit, work permit, residence permit, etc.) to extend their stay in Russia. When deciding on the possibility of issuing a residence permit to a foreigner, the score received by the citizen will be considered, for example, for the Russian high school diploma, knowledge of Russian language or professional skills.

In addition, the head of the department proposed to impose the criminal liability for employers who employ foreign nationals who have violated the law.

Konstantin Romodanovskiy recalled that during the last decade more than two million foreigners received Russian citizenship. He also noted that the main goal of the Russian authorities should be to create conditions for attracting prospective foreign specialists rather than building “walls” of the visa formalities.