Employment of foreign nationals.

The prior permission of the appropriate migration authority is required for entities employing foreign nationals for work in Russia. In addition, a valid Russian work visa and a work permit are required for foreign nationals before they may commence working in Russia. The same rule applies to foreign nationals working in Russia under civil law contracts for the performance of works or the provision of services.

Permission to hire foreign nationals and individual work permits are issued to the employing entity for a period of up to one year. Foreign nationals working in accredited representative offices of foreign firms are also required to obtain a personal accreditation card from the accrediting body of the representative office.