18.09.07

Registration for Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation
Notes from an AmCham Seminar on the Topic
By Alexei Pirozhkov

1. Several aspects of registration after Jan 15, 2007, when The Decree of Russian Government Jan 15, 2007 "On the Procedure of carrying out the Migration Record of Foreign Citizens and Persons without any Citizenship in the Russian Federation" came into force.
2. The "hosting party," as defined by this law, is either the organization that sponsored the visa or the landlord. These are the only two parties that may file (sign) the notification on behalf of a foreigner.
3. The hosting party can be fined as much as 500,000 RUR for infringements of their duties.
4. If the hosting party is a company and is found in violation, it can be refused the right to invite other foreigners to Russia, including foreigners who will work for it such as top managers.
5. The notification must be filed:
      + within 3 working days of their arrival to Russia (assuming that they are not staying at a hotel)
      + within 2 working days of their exit from their registered location if the trip will be longer than three business days. 
6. If a trip will be shorter than three business days, no new registration is required.
7. The following documents must be submitted as notification:
      + the notification application signed (and sealed if a company) by the hosting party;
      + a copy of the picture page of the passport;
      + a copy of the migration card;
      + a power of attorney (if the notification is signed by someone other than the inviting company or the landlord);
8. When leaving, the date left must simply be filled in on the form and the form returned to the FMS.

Recommendations and Notes:

1. Foreigners must be sure someone is always in a position to file notices for you in a timely manner and should make sure that they are filed to avoid complications.
2. An employer must make sure notices being filed timely for anyone hosted by the employer. If the employer is not acting as host, he/she should make sure the filing is done as foreigners who do not register can be barred from entering Russia again.
3. One of the biggest problem with the law is that it requires a change in registration for any place the foreigner resides. Therefore, any time that the foreigner leaves Russia or travels to another city, registration must be refiled. New registration must be obtained if the foreigner returns to Russia or their original city.

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