Russia’s Department of Labor and the Federal Migration Service (FMS) will accept applications for 2015 work permit quotas from April 7, 2014 until July 1, 2014. The start of the quota application period was delayed due to technical difficulties with the FMS’s new online application system. As a result, the deadline for 2015 quota applications has been extended to July 1, 2014.
Each year, the Russian government sets a national quota for the maximum number of available work permits. Employers cannot file work permit applications on behalf of foreign workers unless they obtain an allocation of quota numbers, for which they generally apply in the year preceding their need.
In some cases, employers that failed to obtain quota numbers in advance are permitted to re-file quota applications during their year of need. For the 2014 quota, the FMS has extended the re-filing deadline to September 1, 2014, as a result of technical issues.
What This Means for Employers
Employers are advised to apply for 2015 work permit quota numbers as soon as possible to ensure that the application is received by the FMS before the deadline.
Though quota numbers are not required for the Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) program, employers that rely on the program are still advised to apply for 2015 quota numbers, to use as a backup if there are unforeseen issues with HQS applications next year.
How Fragomen Can Assist
Fragomen can fully assist with the preparation and submission of quota applications through the new online system, and help employers determine HQS program eligibility.
Fragomen worked closely with VISTA Foreign Business Support (Moscow) to prepare this alert. It 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 [email protected].
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