Moscow, May 6 (Inditop.com/RIA Novosti) Russia is considering amendment in its legislation to soften norms for issuing work permits to highly-qualified professionals from abroad.
The lower house of the Russian parliament will consider in its second hearing Friday amendments to a bill on easing entry and work permit procedures for highly-qualified professionals.
According to Russian economy ministry, the bill is part of a programme to improve the country’s investment climate. The modernisation of the country’s economy is one of the key policies initiated by President Dmitry Medvedev, Vedomosti business daily reported.
The paper said foreign specialists will have the right to work in Russia regardless of Federal Migration Service (FMS) quotas. In order to receive a three-year work permit they will only need confirmation from their employer of their position. The permits can be extended every three years.
As per the existing rule, work permits issued to foreign professionals are valid for one year.
Under the new bill, a highly-skilled professional is considered a person who receives a salary of no less than 2 million rubles ($67,000) a year.
Together with the work permits, foreign specialists and their families will also receive residency permits.
Highly-skilled specialists will pay 13 percent tax, the rate for Russians, instead of the current 30 percent for foreigners who are not tax residents.
