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RussiaWork permitsLast checked October 16, 2026

Work permit for a highly qualified specialist (высококвалифицированный специалист, HQS) under Article 13.2 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ

A Russian employer or client asks the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) to bring in a foreign national as a highly qualified specialist (HQS). The route needs a pay offer above a set threshold. It is not subject to the annual foreign-worker quotas. If the request is approved, the MVD issues a work permit for the length of the contract, up to 3 years, and it can be extended many times. The specialist and family members may also get a residence permit for the same period.

See requirements ↓

Life in Russia

Money

3

Currency

Russian Ruble

RUB

Russian Ruble

Cost of living

37

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

13–22%

Income tax (national)

VAT 22%

Resident scale since 2025: 13% up to RUB 2.4 million, 15% to 5 million, 18% to 20 million, 20% to 50 million, 22% above.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

5.8

#77 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Foreign professionals with a job or service contract from an eligible Russian employer that pays at least the HQS salary threshold.

Eligibility

  • Experience, skills or achievements

    The foreign national must have work experience, skills or achievements in a specific field. The employer judges the person's competence and qualifications itself and carries the risk of that judgement (Art. 13.2 p.1, p.3–4).

  • Salary threshold (general)General case

    Your pay offer must be at least RUB 750,000 per calendar quarter in the general case.

    RUB 750,000

    Minimum pay (general case)

    • Applies to most HQS
    • Based on Art. 13.2 p.1 sub.3, as amended by Law 316-FZ of 10.07.2023
    Official wording

    The pay offered must be at least RUB 750,000 per calendar quarter for most HQS (Art. 13.2 p.1 sub.3, as amended by Law 316-FZ of 10.07.2023).

  • Lower threshold for researchers, teachers and some zonesScience/education, SEZ, accredited IT, Crimea/Sevastopol

    Lower monthly minimum pay applies for researchers, teachers and certain zones or employers.

    Minimum pay per month (lower thresholds)

    Researchers, teachers, some zones
    RUB 83,500
    Technology-innovation zone residents
    RUB 58,500
    • Researchers or teachers must be invited by accredited universities, state academies or research centres
    • RUB 83,500 also applies to some special economic zone residents and accredited IT companies
    • RUB 83,500 also applies to employers in Crimea and Sevastopol
    Official wording

    The minimum is RUB 83,500 per month for researchers or teachers invited by accredited universities, state academies or research centres. The same minimum applies to some special economic zone residents, accredited IT companies and employers in Crimea and Sevastopol. Residents of technology-innovation zones have a minimum of RUB 58,500 per month.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementNo salary threshold for Skolkovo and similar
  • Document checklistEmployer's petition (ходатайство) to bring in an HQS
  • FeesState duty for HQS work permit

The full requirements are for members

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  • 7 more requirements
  • 10 documents
  • 2 fees
  • 8 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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