Obligation for medical examination for foreigners
Since 29 December 2021, foreign citizens who arrive to the Russian Federation for labour activity are obliged to undergo an extensive medical examination within 30 days after their arrival. The same applies for foreigners who are going to receive a work permit or a patent for work. For those foreigners who are in the Russian Federation for purposes other than labour have to undergo the same procedures if their stay is longer than 90 days.
The medical examination includes tests for several sexually transmittable diseases, COVID-19, illegal drugs. In a second step, fingerprints must be registered, and the lungs must be X-rayed. The procedures are considerably time-consuming and can hardly be carried out in one day.
Exceptions to these new rules are citizens of Belarus, holders of a residence permit, children below the age of five, diplomats and representatives of international organisations.
Under the current reading, the medical certification is valid for 3 months only. Once it has expired, another full procedure must be undergone within 30 days.
In case of non-compliance, the law foresees penalties such as annulation of work permits, entry bans and reduction of the maximum period to stay in Russia.
The above is according to the Federal Law № 274–FZ from 01.07.2021 “On amendment of the Federal Law ´On legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation´ and the Federal Law “About the state dactyloscopy registration in the Russian Federation” (excluding certain provisions) and the Federal Law №357-FZ from 02.07.2021 “On amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation” (effective date – 31.10.2021).
The new requirements about mandatory state dactyloscopy registration, photography and medical examination of foreign citizens who arrive to the Russian Federation are effective starting 29 December 2021.
