In Russia, an employer is required to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) that they have hired a foreign employee. This must be done within 3 working days after signing the employment contract.
If the notification is not submitted, it is considered a violation. The problem is that responsibility may affect not only the employer, but also the migrant.
Why is this dangerous?:
- your patent may be canceled;
- you may be fined;
- during an inspection, your work may be considered illegal.
Even if you are officially employed and paying for your patent, the absence of notification is a serious violation.
What should you do in this situation?:
1. Check with your employer. Calmly ask whether the notification has been submitted. Sometimes it has already been sent, but you may not be aware of it.
2. Request proof. The employer can provide a copy of the notification or confirmation of submission. It is better to keep this for your records.
3. Remember: you cannot submit the notification yourself. By law, only the employer can do this. You cannot submit it on their behalf, so it is important that they fulfill this obligation.
4. If the notification has not been submitted, resolve the issue as soon as possible. The longer you work without it, the higher the risk of problems.
5. If necessary, change your employer. If the employer refuses to handle documents properly, this is a serious warning sign. It is better to find a workplace where everything is done officially.
Important to remember:
Having a contract is good, but it is not enough. The employer must not only sign the contract but also notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
If this is not done, during an inspection you may be considered an “illegally employed worker,” even if you did nothing wrong.
