Month: April 2025

The Federal Law No. 303-FZ “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Communications” and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” was introduced, providing new rules in regard to the disposal and registration of sim-cards for foreign citizens.

As from January 01, 2025 the following rules apply:

• purchase of a sim-card by a foreign citizen (and registration of the sim-card on their name) is only possible under the condition of presence of biometric data of such foreign citizen in the United Biometric System (in case a foreign citizen registered a sim-card before the said effecting date, they shall undergo the re-registration procedure before the deadline of July 01, 2025 by personally visiting their mobile telephony operator’s office and by providing the required information\documents, otherwise access to the use of the sim-card will be restricted by the mobile telephony operator);
• the other requirements for purchase of a sim-card by a foreign citizen include: a) presence of a verified account with “Gosuslugi” (state information system for state and municipal services), b) presence of the SNILS number (individual number for compulsory pension\social insurance), c) provision of translation into Russian certified by notary of a copy of the passport of the foreign citizen applying for a sim-card;
• sim-cards can no longer be purchased and registered by a foreign citizen via Internet, but only at mobile telephony operator offices during a personal visit;
• no more than 10 mobile phone numbers can be registered on the name of one foreign citizen.

If you are seeking support in complying with the newly updated requirements, please feel free to contact our team for clarification and assistance.

The Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation has recently published an updated list of professions allowing foreign citizens to apply for residence permit (hereinafter “RP”) in the Russian Federation in a simplified manner. The changes come into force on April 27, 2025.

The updated rules provide for a significantly shortened list of professions in comparison with the previously active one (29 professions against 203 professions respectively), as well as it should be noted that the new minimal term for the foreign citizen to continuously work in the profession listed to be eligible for a simplified manner of RP obtainment amounts to 1 year (whereas the previously active term was 6 months) – as clarified by the Ministry.

The list includes the following professions: software engineer (in the fields of robotics, aircraft construction), big data analyst (in the fields of industry, astrophysics, genetics), programmer (in the field of driverless vehicles), metal vessel hull assembler (in shipbuilding), shipbuilder-ship repairman, etc.

The full list can be seen at the official website at the following link: http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202504160005?index=1 .

If you have any questions concerning obtainment of migration documents and preparation for the residence permit obtainment procedure, our team will be glad to advise and help you.