Russia Introduces New Requirements for Foreign Students and Workers
Vice Rector Ivan Prostakov explains key details
From December 29, new amendments to the federal law ‘On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation’ will come into effect. The new provisions establish that foreigners entering the Russian Federation must undergo medical examination, fingerprinting and the submission of biometric photographs.
The HSE University administration is currently working to ensure that all procedures required by the law are clear to students and staff. The university has sent requests to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and is also ready to assist foreign students and staff as much as possible.
HSE University Vice Rector Ivan Prostakov has answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the new regulations.
Yes. In accordance with the new law, foreign staff and students must undergo medical examination, mandatory state fingerprinting and submit photographs within the following deadlines:
- foreign employees – within 30 calendar days of arriving in Russia
- foreign students arriving in Russia for a period of more than 90 days – within 90 calendar days of arriving in Russia
In order to undergo mandatory state fingerprinting and photograph procedures, foreign citizens are required to visit a regional office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a subordinate enterprise or authorized organisation in person.
The medical examination takes place before the fingerprinting and photograph procedures.
The Moscow Government has issued a list of 17 medical organisations authorized to conduct medical examinations. These organisations are set to start accepting foreign citizens from December 29, 2021. More information about these clinics will be available later.
A deadline for foreign citizens who arrived in Russia before December 29, 2021 to undergo mandatory procedures is currently being established by the Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In any event, foreign citizens who arrive in Russia before this date and who have not undergone medical examination and fingerprinting will be given the time necessary to undergo these procedures.
Yes. COVID-19 has been named a public health hazard that can result in deportation.
If during a medical examination a foreign citizen is found to have an infectious disease that poses a danger to others (including COVID-19), the decision will be made to shorten the duration of their temporary stay in Russia or refuse them entry into the country.
Foreign citizens who have undergone medical examination must undergo another medical examination within 30 days of the expiry of their current medical documents confirming that they have had a prior medical examination. At present, documents confirming the results of medical examinations are valid for 3 months from their date of issue.
According to the information available, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health are working on amendments that would set the number of medical examinations required of foreign citizens to one a year.
The HSE University administration has appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health with the same request and has asked for clarification on a range of procedural questions.
The costs of medical examinations must be paid by foreign citizens themselves, as undergoing the procedure is their responsibility. At the same time, the HSE University Administration is examining the possibility of offering financial support and conducting medical examinations for its foreign employees and students in a designated clinic.
HSE University will publish detailed information about the procedures for foreign students and staff once it becomes available, including information about the required documents, fees, and available support measures.