The Ministry of Internal Affairs will begin issuing work patents to foreign citizens under a new administrative regulation. It was approved by MIA Order No. 322 and will replace the rules that have been in effect since 2020.
The new procedure applies to adult foreign citizens who entered Russia without a visa and are applying for a work patent.
In this article, we explain what will actually change for migrants.
Applications Can Be Submitted Through Gosuslugi
The new regulation allows applications and documents to be submitted electronically.
However, this does not mean that a work patent can now be obtained entirely online.
Foreign citizens will still be required to complete mandatory procedures, including a medical examination, fingerprinting, and photographing. In cases provided for by law, they must also confirm their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, and the basics of Russian legislation.
The completed patent will also remain a paper document. The law requires it to be issued to the foreign citizen in person. Therefore, Gosuslugi will simplify the submission of documents, but the entire patent application process will not become fully remote.
How Long Will the Application Take to Process?
As a general rule, an application for a work patent must be reviewed within no more than 10 working days.
However, this period is reduced to 5 working days if the Ministry of Internal Affairs already has information confirming that the foreign citizen has been registered with the tax authorities. These deadlines are established directly by Federal Law No. 115-FZ.
What Has Changed Regarding Medical Certificates?
The medical examination required for obtaining a patent remains mandatory. However, starting September 1, 2026, the procedure for submitting the results has changed.
The medical organization prepares the medical reports electronically, uploads them to a special federal register, and sends the relevant information to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This must be done within 24 hours after the reports are issued.
At the same time, the foreign citizen may request a paper extract containing the examination results from the medical organization.
In other words, the medical examination is still required, but the results are now transferred electronically between the medical organization and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
What Else Will Remain Mandatory?
The new regulation does not cancel the main obligations of work patent holders.
After receiving a patent, the foreign citizen must continue making the fixed advance personal income tax payments on time. If payment is not made by the deadline, the patent will cease to be valid on the day after the paid period ends.
In addition, within two months from the date the patent is issued, the foreign citizen must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs about their employment activity. The notification must include a copy of the employment or civil-law contract, or the contract details required by law.
So What Will Actually Change on December 17?
The main change is that the Ministry of Internal Affairs will switch to a new administrative regulation for issuing work patents. It establishes an updated procedure for providing this government service, including electronic interaction.
However, the patent application process will not become fully remote. Foreign citizens will still need to complete the mandatory procedures and collect the finished document in person.
Many of the provisions mentioned in the new regulation are already in effect in practice. Therefore, December 17 does not mark a complete overhaul of the work patent system. Rather, the procedure used by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide this government service is being updated and modernized.
