Russia: Further Medical Exam Rule Changes

As a continuation of the changing rules regarding medical exams in Russia, a new law relaxes the medical exam requirement for Highly Qualified Specialists, who are now required to undergo a repeated exam only when applying for a work permit extension (no longer on a yearly basis). Additionally, foreign nationals who entered Russia before December 29, 2021 for non-work-related purposes for more than 90 calendar days, or for work, must undergo a medical exam, fingerprinting and photographing by January 10, 2023. Lastly, visa-exempt foreign nationals who change their purpose of stay to “work” must undergo a medical exam, fingerprinting and photographing. Those who require a work patent must undergo these procedures upon applying for a work patent and those who have the right to work without a work permit or patent must do so within 30 calendar days of their labour agreement signing. In either case, applicants must undergo these procedures no later than 90 days from entry into Russia.