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Under new rules signed by President Medvedev, Russia will make it easier for skilled foreign workers to maintain their registration status if they leave their place of residency for more than three workings days. The new rules are in line with longer visas and work permits introduced last summer for certain classes of foreign workers.
The change will be good news for those skilled foreigners living and working in Russia earning more than the equivalent of USD $66,000 per year. The country has been long known for having an immigration system fraught with red tape, which has caused problems for a country trying to modernize its workforce.
Under current visa rules, foreigners must "deregister" with local immigration authorities whenever they leave their place of residence for more than three working days. In addition, if they travel within Russia, they must register again at their new address in Russia.
Under the rules signed by Medvedev, some skilled foreign workers will only be required to deregister if they leave their place of residency for more than ninety days.
The easing of visa rules has already been signed by the State Duma and Federation Council. The hope is that the new rules will attract more foreign specialists.
Critics say that the new rules cherry pick foreign specialists, leaving some workers out in the cold. For instance, heads of foreign business associations would not be covered under the new rules and would still be required to renew their work visas every year.
Moreover, rules requiring foreigners to pay stiff tariffs on household goods brought into the country still remain in effect. For some foreigners, this can increase the cost of their move to the country by thousands of dollars.
