Russia improves conditions for foreign specialists
A new law aimed at making entry to Russia easier for much needed foreign specialists and their families has been signed by President Dmitry Medvedev.
According to the new law, highly qualified foreign specialists working in Russia can now act as hosts when inviting their family members to Russia, Kremlin’s website reads. Earlier only an officially recognized office or organization had the right to do this. The only criterion is that the inviting person has housing in Russia.
Also visa criteria for foreigners have been somewhat simplified. The foreign specialist and his family members will get multiple-entry visas with the same duration as the specialist’s contract of employment.
Another important point in the new law is that it prolongs the period during which a foreign citizen, temporarily staying in Russia needs to register to the migration service, from three to seven days.
The registration requirements for foreign citizens temporarily staying in Russia has been on the agenda in EU-Russian talks on visa-free travel. Finland’s Foreign Minister Aleksander Stubb in November 2010 said that lifting of these requirements would be an important stepmark on the way to a complete abolishment of visas to the EU for Russian citizens, as BarentsObserver reported.
The drafters of the amendments to the law believes that it will make procedures concerning registration of temporary stays in Russia easier for foreigners, especially those who are involved in important projects on modernization of the Russian economy.
The new Federal law was adopted by the State Duma on March 11 and approved by the Federation Council on March 16, Kremlin’s website informs.
