Regarding simplifying the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship by highly qualified foreign specialists

27.08.2019

The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation made a proposal to provide foreign citizens having the status of highly qualified specialists (HQS) with citizenship of the Russian Federation according to the simplified procedure.

The draft law proposes to provide citizenship under the simplified procedure to highly qualified specialists without the need to reside on the territory of Russia for 5 years and them rejecting their other citizenship.

In addition, it is also planned to introduce amendments to the procedure for attracting and carrying out the employment of foreign nationals of highly qualified specialists:

• reduction of the minimum wage;
• increase of the state duty rate when issuing a work permit from 3,500 rubles to 13,000 rubles;
• introduction of administrative responsibility in the form of a fine for employers for non-fulfillment of obligations on payment of personal income tax to a foreign employee to a highly qualified specialist.

These innovations are designed to improve the procedure for attracting and carrying out labor activities of foreign citizens as highly qualified specialists in the Russian Federation.