Russia: Ukrainian Citizens Can Now Work Without a Work Permit
August 31, 2022
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At a Glance
- According to a new decree in Russia, citizens of Ukraine (including individuals permanently resident in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions) can stay and work in Russia for an unlimited period of time without a work or residence permit.
- President Putin signed this decree to further integrate individuals affected by the situation in Ukraine who currently either reside or work in Russia.
The situation
On August 27, 2022, President Putin signed a decree offering unlimited residence and work authorization rights to citizens of Ukraine (including individuals permanently resident in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions) who are currently in Russia without the need for a specialized work permit in Russia, provided they meet certain requirements within a specific time period.
A closer look
- Unlimited stay and work authorization. Effective immediately, citizens of Ukraine who are currently in Russia can reside and work in Russia for an unlimited period of time without a work permit, provided they complete fingerprinting, photograph submission and undergo a medical examination by September 26, 2022.
- Labor agreement requirement. Employers seeking to hire workers under this decree must file a signed labor agreement with the Russian authorities within three business days for new employees, or by September 6, 2022 for existing employees.
- Current work permit holders. Citizens of Ukraine holding a valid work permit can continue to work in Russia without filing an extension once their work permit expires, except in cases where documents have been effectively annulled due to legal violations.
Impact
Affected individuals will benefit from this new work permit exemption policy as processing for a work permit can take up to six weeks.
Background
These changes are part of Russia’s larger initiative to integrate the 1.5 million Ukrainians who have either evacuated or been deported to Russia since February 2022. Previously, Russia eased permanent residence prerequisites and simplified the procedure for Ukrainian citizens seeking Russian citizenship.
Looking ahead
Russian employers with current or prospective Ukrainian employees should continue to monitor newly-established processes and notify affected employees accordingly. Since this situation is fluid, we will continue to publish developments as they are announced.
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].
