Rules of Russian Migration Law for Family Members Accompanying a Foreign Citizen
Julia Yakhina, Director, Migration department
In accordance with Russian Migration Law, family members accompanying a foreign citizen in Russia are classified as the following:
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| Foreign citizens - accompanying family members of a foreign citizen who is not a Highly-Qualified Specialist (In accordance with the Family Code and the practice of the Federal Migration Service of the RF) |
Foreign citizens - accompanying family members of a foreign citizen who is a Highly-Qualified Specialists (In accordance with point 1.1 article 13.2 of Federal Law №115-FZ dated 25.07.2002 “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation” |
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In accordance with the Family Code of the RF:
- spouse (wife/husband)
- children under 18 (adopted children)
- parents (adoptive parents)
- other relatives
In accordance with the Federal Migration Service practice:
- spouse (wife/husband)
- children under 18 (adopted children)
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- spouse (wife/husband)
- children (adopted children)
- spouses of children
- parents (adoptive parents)
- spouses of parents
- grandparents
- grandchildren
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Accompanying family members are subject to migration law of the Russian Federation. Mentioned above family members can travel to Russia on a similar visa as the one held by the head of the family (business visa, working visa or others) with purpose of entering as “accompanying family members”. Other persons who are relatives of a foreign citizen, in accordance with the practices of the Federal Migration Service of the RF can be invited to Russia only on a visitor visa.
Accompanying family members cannot pursue labour activity in Russia and may travel to Russia for personal “noncommercial” reasons, but they are free to move while in Russia. However, it is important to remember that notification of arrival, also while moving to other regions, must be made within seven working days.
Family Members of Highly-Qualified Specialists have the following advantages:
- They exempt from registration by place of residence for a period not exceeding 90 calendar days from the date of arrival in Russia. Upon moving within Russia under existing registration, they are exempt from registration by new place of residence for up to 30 calendar days. After the expiration of the aforementioned periods, they must register within seven working days.
- They can be registered by private address of a Highly- Qualified Specialist, who is an owner of residence on basis of property right in Russia;
- Family members can pursue employment on the basis of work permits in Russia, study, as well as pursue other activities that are not prohibited by law. Herewith the period of validity for visas obtained by family members cannot exceed the period of validity of the visa held by the head of the family.
- As a Highly-Qualified Specialist, his family members can also obtain a permanent residency permit of Highly-Qualified Specialist, avoiding the process of obtaining a temporary residency permit in Russia. Such a permanent residency permit is limited to the terms of the head of the family with Highly-Qualified Specialist status.
- They are also covered under a voluntary medical insurance policy provided to the Highly-Qualified Specialist by the employer.
More detailed information regarding inviting to Russia of family members of a Highly Qualified Specialist can be found in the aforementioned law “On the Legal Status of Foreign citizens in the Russian Federation”.
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