Legislation amendments on procedure of medical certificates provision

23 April 2013

The State Duma adopted in the first reading amendments to the Federal Law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation" regarding  the procedure of medical certificates provision  on the state of health.

At the moment, certificates of absence of diseases posing a threat to others as well as of absence of drug addiction and a certificate of absence of HIV infection are available are provided only by those foreign nationals who are obtaining a work permit. For those who carry out work activity on the basis of a patent (employment from individuals), these certificates are not required to be provided.

Introduced amendments eliminate this discrepancy. Thus, all foreign nationals who work in the territory of Russia (except for highly qualified specialists) will be required to undergo a medical examination.

Apart from that, the procedure of medical certificates provision changed.  Until now, foreigners with visa-free entry to Russia had a chance to provide certificates either at the time of documents submission or within 30 days of obtaining of a work permit. When amendments come into effect, certificates will be accepted only in conjunction with an application for a work permit or a patent issuance.

We would like to note that in respect of foreign nationals with visa-based entry to Russia everything remains unchanged. As before, they can undergo a medical examination after entering Russia on a working visa basis and provide certificates point upon obtaining a work permit.