Special features of a highly qualified specialist status

• Work permit for HQS is issued without regard to quotas

• HQS is entitled to acquire a work permit which may be valid on the territory of several subjects of the Russian Federation 

• Family members* of HQS are entitled to work in the territory of Russia for the duration of HQS’s work permit. Work permits for the family members are issued without regard to quotas

• HQS and his/her family members shall have medical insurance policy (voluntary medical insurance agreement). As a rule, an employer is obliged to provide HQS with such insurance

• HQS is not obliged to undertake medical examination or provide any medical background information or health certificates for obtaining a work permit 

• A foreign national who has acquired the HQS status may reside within the territory of Russia without migration registration within 90 days since the day of entering the country 

• Personal income tax is 13%

• A foreign national may claim HQS status himself/herself. In order to do that, he/she should apply to the diplomatic or consular mission of Russia or to a representative office of the Russian Federal Migration Service in the country of his/her citizenship

• In case of cancellation of HQS’s labor agreement, his/her work permit would be valid for the following 30 days. During this time period HQS may find another employer and enter into a new labour agreement. Otherwise, HQS and his family members would have to leave Russia within 30 working days  

* – family members include: spouse, children and their spouses, parents and their spouses, grandparents, grandchildren.