In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia has taken measures to suspend travel into the country by foreign nationals and has ceased issuing work permits and visas to them.
In March 2020, Russian officials introduced various packages of regulations, measures and recommendations in order to stop the spreading of COVID-19 in Russia. The measures include restricting entry for all foreign citizens, with limited exceptions, and issuance of work permits and visas for all foreign citizens.1
Recently introduced restrictions significantly impact all foreign citizens in Russia and those who had planned to move to or work in Russia. They are currently not allowed to enter into Russia. Russian citizens are also affected by those regulations as they are not allowed to travel abroad. This could have implications for companies with employees who are Russia inbound or outbound for an international assignment or with plans to send employees to/from Russia.
Employees and their families who may have received offers for an international assignment to Russia may need to postpone the commencement of the assignment or may indeed already be there but on limited term visas. This could cause some anxiety, stress, and inconvenience, especially where plans for relocation were already underway or where the assignees are already in Russia on temporary visas.
The KPMG International member firm in Russia continues to monitor these matters closely. For advice on this changing situation, please contact your global mobility adviser or qualified immigration counsel, or a member of our team with KPMG in Russia.
1 For restrictions on travelling and issuance of work permits and visas (in Russian), please see: http://government.ru/docs/39179/.
2 For restrictions on flights (in Russian), please see: http://government.ru/news/39277/.
3 For the declaration of the non-working week (in Russian), please see: http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001202003250021.
4 For self-isolation in Moscow (in Russian), please see: https://www.mos.ru/authority/documents/doc/43620220/.
Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Russia.
To subscribe to GMS Flash Alert, fill out the subscription form.
© 2021 KPMG refers JSC “KPMG”, “KPMG Tax and Advisory” LLC, companies incorporated under the Laws of the Russian Federation, and KPMG Limited, a company incorporated under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, as amended in 2008, member firms of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
For more detail about the structure of the KPMG global organization please visit https://home.kpmg/governance.
Flash Alert is an Global Mobility Services publication of KPMG LLPs Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG logo and name are trademarks of KPMG International. KPMG International is a Swiss cooperative that serves as a coordinating entity for a network of independent member firms. KPMG International provides no audit or other client services. Such services are provided solely by member firms in their respective geographic areas. KPMG International and its member firms are legally distinct and separate entities. They are not and nothing contained herein shall be construed to place these entities in the relationship of parents, subsidiaries, agents, partners, or joint venturers. No member firm has any authority (actual, apparent, implied or otherwise) to obligate or bind KPMG International or any member firm in any manner whatsoever. The information contained in herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.