As of 1 January 2016, employers that are not on a list that is to be approved by the Russian Government are:

• Not allowed (1) to employ Turkish nationals;

• Only allowed (2) to conclude (renew, prolong) employment and individual service contracts with Turkish nationals which are valid to 31 December 2015; not beyond.

According to representatives from the Association of European Businesses in Russia, the Russian Ministry of Labour is currently drafting the list of companies which will be allowed to employ Turkish nationals in 2016.

As such, before 10 December 2015 companies should inform the following Russian authorities of their need to employ particular Turkish nationals for specific projects:

• The Russian Ministry of Labour;

• Russian regional authorities;

• The relevant Russian ministry, if applicable (e.g.: Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Energy, etc.).

Currently, when Turkish nationals cross the border with Russia:

• Their documents are subject to very close inspection;

• There have been cases when they have been prohibited from entering Russia (even when holding valid Russian work permits);

• There have been cases in which they have been deported from Russia (even when holding valid Russian work permits).

We recommend that employers take the following actions in respect of their Turkish employees (who are individual service providers):

• Advise them to refrain from travelling into/out of Russia;

• If there is still a need to cross the Russian border, advise them to have the full package of employment (immigration) authorisation documents to hand, in particular:

  • A reference letter from their company confirming their current employment;

  • Their original employment contract (individual service contract), or a copy of it that has been certified by the company;

  • Their original Russian work permit;

  • Their original, valid, voluntary medical insurance certificate;

  • Their original Russian migration card;

  • A copy of the notification on the arrival of a foreign citizen confirming registration address in Russia (even for employees with “Highly-qualified specialist” status).

• If there is still a need to cross the Russian border, then ensure a company representative accompanies the employee at the Russian border.

   

If you have any questions, please contact KPMG.

 

(1)Presidential Order of 28 November 2015 No 583 “On measures to ensure the national security of the Russian Federation against criminal and other unlawful actions and on implementing special economic measures against the Republic of TurkeyOn Measures to Ensure the National Security of the Russian Federation against Criminal and Other Unlawful Acts and the Application of Special Economic Measures in Relation to the Republic of TurkeyOn Measures to Ensure the National Security of the Russian Federation against Criminal and Other Unlawful Acts and the Application of Special Economic Measures in Relation to the Republic of TurkeyOn Measures to Ensure the National Security of the Russian Federation against Criminal and Other Unlawful Acts and the Application of Special Economic Measures in Relation to the Republic of Turkey”.

(2)Resolution of the Russian Government of 30 November 2015 No 1296 “On measures to implement the Presidential Order N 583 dated 28 November 2015 “On measures to ensure the national security of the Russian Federation against criminal and other unlawful actions and on implementing special economic measures against the Republic of TurkeyOn Measures to Ensure the National Security of the Russian Federation against Criminal and Other Unlawful Acts and the Application of Special Economic Measures in Relation to the Republic of TurkeyOn Measures to Ensure the National Security of the Russian Federation against Criminal and Other Unlawful Acts and the Application of Special Economic Measures in Relation to the Republic of TurkeyOn Measures to Ensure the National Security of the Russian Federation against Criminal and Other Unlawful Acts and the Application of Special Economic Measures in Relation to the Republic of Turkey”.