How to enter and stay in Russia legally. HQS visa and residence permit

The author Kamil Davleev
In this article we will tell you how to get a HQS visa.

Russia is a beautiful country, with an interesting history, kind people, a distinctive culture, and an extremely attractive country for investment. It is not surprising that many people from other countries want to move to Russia and work here. Moreover, citizens come from all over the world. If you want to live in our country, it does not matter what citizenship you have. The main thing is to fulfill the legal requirements and meet the approved criteria to live in Russian Federation. This is quite possible, if you really decide to take this step. In this article we will tell you, how to obtain a Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) visa and how to apply for a Residence Permit (RP).

HQS visa

Visa for highly qualified specialists is a special visa, it is given for 3 years. Its essence is to attract and give an opportunity to work to specialists with education, who are needed in the country, attracting them from abroad. Such visa is not similar to residence permit or citizenship. If the RP can be issued only to those who fall under the criteria or enter the quota (which is different for each subject), the visa HQS — at the same time and the option of guaranteed employment and need to have, although significant, but lesser qualities. Thus, in order to obtain a HQS visa it is necessary to:

A) Have an employer. Yes, this is probably the most problematic, but also the most important issue. Only a legal entity located on the territory of the Russian Federation and carrying out its activities inside the country can employ a specialist. The legal entity acts as a guarantor for the state (as it will have to report to the state authorities), as well as a guarantor for the employee (after all, on a general basis, the minimum salary for which it is possible to invite a HQS employee is 250,000 rubles, a considerable amount, considering how many insurance contributions and taxes the employer will have to pay).

B) Higher education and work experience of more than 5 years in the specialty. Education can be obtained in any of the universities of the world. The place of work does not affect the visa itself.

These criteria are the basis for obtaining a visa and the documentary requirements are based on them.

In general, obtaining a visa can be broken down into 4 steps.

  • Work permit. As for any foreigner who is going to work on the territory of the Russian Federation, such a permit is necessary. There is a separate set of documents for it.
  • Obtaining an invitation for entry, if the person is abroad. To obtain an invitation you will need.
  • A copy of the application for the involvement of the VCS (it is issued after obtaining a work permit).
  • A petition for the issuance of an invitation.
  • Paid state duty.
  • A letter of guarantee for the invitation.
  • A simple copy of the passport.
  • A copy of the employment contract.
  • Inventory of accepted papers (it is better to prepare them in advance).
  • Power of attorney for a representative.

This item will concern employers, since, hopefully, they are reading us. Registration of the legal entity with the migration authority. The employer, as stated above, is responsible to the state for the employee, his health and well-being. So, the state needs to know — who and where foreigners work at the enterprise. The package of documents is not complicated:

  • Notification of the registration statement.
  • Memo signed by the sole executive officer.
  • Record card.
  • Record sheet on the establishment of a legal entity.
  • Certificate of Taxpayer Identification Number.
  • Decision on appointment of the sole executive body.
  • Extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.
  • Copies of passports of the EIO, Founder (sometimes the migration service does not ask for it), representative.
  • Power of attorney.

Until then, you will have to pass an interview with the inspector, who will ask you about the purpose of the invitation and the economic activity for which the invited employee is needed and will make a mark on your documentation about his admission.

The fourth stage will already have to be passed with the specialists. It includes:

  • Fingerprinting.
  • Medical examination of the workers.
  • ubmission of the visa application form.
  • Obtaining a HQS visa.

The process is large and requires careful preparation. We are always ready to help you prepare a package of documents and accompany your specialists to obtain a HQS visa.

RESIDENCE PERMIT

A residence permit is a document certifying that a citizen has grounds to live in Russia for a long time. At the moment, a residence permit is indefinite. This is its great advantage.

It can be obtained on various grounds. As you can see the grounds are different, but the most popular point is the first. If you have lived continuously for 8 months on the territory of the Russian Federation during the first year, you can apply for a residence permit. With a detailed list of documents for obtaining a residence permit can be found here.

Compared to citizenship, a residence permit does not give you the right to vote. But be prepared for the fact that you need to know the Russian language, culture and the basics of law. Such testing is on the list of mandatory for applicants.

In practice, obtaining a residence permit is not difficult for foreignerы, because the permit already certifies part of the requirements that the state imposes on migrants. And the state tries to adhere formally to the step-by-step process. Sometimes citizens are denied citizenship because of the absence of residence permit, despite the absence of a direct prohibition.

The process of obtaining a residence permit and HQS visa requires detailed attention to documents, frequent visits to state authorities and understanding of the full process from a theoretical and practical point of view. Contact the specialists and we will definitely help you in this difficult but important matter!

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