
At a Glance
The Russian government has made a number of changes to document requirements for corporate and individual work permit applications.
- The passport validity requirement has increased;
- Requirements for passport photographs are more detailed;
- Signature requirements for application forms are stricter; and
- Applications may be rejected if they contain pencil notes.
Processing times for standard (non-highly skilled) applications have also increased.
The situation
The Russian government has amended document requirements and processing times have increased for standard (non-highly skilled) applications.
A closer look
The changes to document requirements for corporate and individual work permit applications are as follows:
- Passport validity. Passports are now required to be valid for one and a half years from the date of application, which was increased from one year.
- Passport photographs. The photo size and image size of passport photographs have changed and new quality requirements have been introduced.
- Application form signatures. Application forms must now be signed by persons with signatory power in their own right, such as a Chief Executive Officer, and may not use a Power of Attorney. The signatory’s job title must be mentioned with the signature.
- Pencil notes. Documents submitted as part of a work or residence permit application may not contain any notes made with a pencil.
- Impact. Foreign nationals should ensure that they are in compliance with the new requirements before submitting any applications.
The processing time for standard (non-High Qualified Specialist) work permit applications increased to 15 business days, from the previous processing time of 10 days.
- Impact on foreign nationals and employers. Foreign nationals applying for work permits and employers should take this longer period of time into account when calculating start dates.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Media mentions
Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Blog post
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Awards
Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Media mentions
Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Media mentions
Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Blog post
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Awards
Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Media mentions
Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.