Thread: Russia's HQS Work Permit

Irina Yakimenko, head of the relocation department at Moscow-based immigration and relocation services company Intermark, explains how Russia’s new Highly Qualified Specialist work-permit system operates, and demystifies the application process.
The Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) work permit allows a foreign national to stay and work in Russia for up to three years.

Introduced in June 2010, the new procedure has been widely – and successfully – used by most internationals operating in Russia. It is truly a breakthrough in Russia's bureaucratic immigration procedures.

Who is eligible for the HQS work permit and visa? Russian law answers quite simply. An HQS is a foreign national who is an employee, officially on a Russian payroll, and whose annual income exceeds 2,000,000 RUR (=72,000 USD or 50,000 euros).

Advantages of the HQS work permit

Valid for up to three years
Issued for three years at once. No visa extension is required
Complete process takes 15 business days (versus four months for standard work-permit acquisition)
No quota
No corporate work permit required
No medical tests required
No registration required for up to 90 days of stay upon arrival in Russia. The same applies to family members
13% income tax payable (versus 30% in the case of the standard work permit)
Eligible to apply for Russian residence permit (for employee and family members)
HQS issued for several regions in Russia (versus the standard work permit, which is valid for one region only)
Smooth and quick renewal process upon expiry: 14 business days, and minimum list of documents
HQS requirements

The HQS must be on a Russian payroll, with a Russian labour contract
The HQS must be registered with the tax service within 30 days of the work permit’s being issued
The HQS must personally collect the work permit at the migration offices
The employer must notify the Federal Migration Service of salary payment and tax deduction on a quarterly basis
The employer must provide the employee with medical insurance in Russia
Step-by-step procedure

Stage One

Private work permit and invitation for work visa

Tentative timing: 15 business days

Stage Two (allows the HQS to enter Russia and start work)

Multiple-entry work visa for three years (issued by consulate of RF in country of residence)

Tentative timing: Five business days

Stage Three

Collect private work permit. This must be done in person

Tentative timing: 15 minutes

Stage Four

Tax and migration registrations

Tentative timing: One business day

Stage Five (ongoing)

Quarterly notification to tax of payroll compliance

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