Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Thomasineurope

I shall be entering into Russia on Dec 13th with a 90 day double-entry Business visa. This was obtained through WTR. However, I have just accepted a teaching position with one of the Big 3 and will therefore be required to have a replacement invitation and visa processed with their sponsorship. This will initiate as a 90-day Business visa as well, however once my work permit is issued, will be extended to a full years term. This will therefore allow me to be in Russia for the minimum 1yr term I desire... legally. The school has stated that this can still be done in Estonia.

I must admit, in reviewing the new regulations put in place this past October, I was rather concerned regarding the new rule requiring applicants to 'return to their country of origin' in order to reapply for a new visa. However, the school states that this rule only applies to holders of the multi-entry 6-12 month Business visa holders, and not those like myself whom only hold a double-entry 90 day visa. Of course, I hope that their interpretation of the law is correct as it would be very unfortunate to accept the expense of returning to the states come January, prior to beginning my employment.

Can anyone confirm if this is so?

Here is their explanation:

If you come to Russia on someone else's visa i.e. their name appears on the visa, then you are only permitted to work for them. We are accredited to invite and employ foreigners. Our name appears on the three month work visa and will appear on the converted multiple entry visa. I assume that you are being invited to Russia by an agency. You are therefore not allowed to work (unless you are working for them) and this visa cannot be prolonged.

Therefore, Thomas, if accepting employment with us, you will need to have a our sponsored visa. Likewise, you cannot switch sponsors. If you come to Russia on a three-month visa, then you will need to get a new visa with our sponsorship before you can work for us. That means you would need to cross over the border and apply outside of Russia for your replacement visa.

Crossing a border to receive a new visa is no problem at this time. There is some talk that holders of one year multiple entry visas should return to the country where they received these visas when not in Russia. In other words, these visas are for people who 'claim' to be doing business for their company which is located outside of Russia, therefore it only makes sense that these people would return home to their jobs.

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 620 Location: Moscow

I'm puzzled by some of the wording in your first paragraph, particularly this, ".....visa processed with their sponsorship. This will initiate as a 90-day Business visa as well, however once my work permit is issued, will be extended to a full years term. This will therefore allow me to be in Russia for the minimum 1yr term I desire... legally. The school has stated that this can still be done in Estonia. "

To the best of my knowledge most types of visas cannot be extended at all. Just replaced. Once your original 90 day double entry visa expires you must leave Russia to get the new 90 day visa being sponsored by the school. Again to the best of my knowledge, this can no longer be done in a 3rd country, like Estonia. You will have to return to your home country to apply for this second 90 day visa.

As to the work visa and work permit, as long as you are in Russia on a currently valid visa (the second 90 day visa) the work permit and visa are applied for and issued in Russia. So you must initiate the work permit/visa process as soon as you return with the second 90 day visa, because work visas take a longer time to process. You also have to take a battery of odious health tests to submit for the work permit. The employer is responsible for all the paperwork for the work visa. You fill out the forms and complete the health testing and they turn all that stuff into the government for the work visa.

I don't think anyone will be able to 100% answer your questions because a lot of this visa regulation is so new and different from what came before.

I do know a number of people in Russia on work visas and the process for a work visa is much more clearcut than the new regulations for the multiple entry business visa.

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 620 Location: Moscow

I was just thinking about your question again while I was in the shower....and I think I may revise my above post.

Now I have only seen it mentioned in connection with the 1 year multiple entry business visa, but it may apply to all business visas, even a succession of 3 month busianes visas, the new Russian law about business visa holders, 90 days in and 90 days out with a maximum of 180 day presence in Russia per year.

Nowhere have I seen it discussed with a series of 3 month business visas, so maybe nobody actually know how the 90 day rule applies to that.

However I would assume, to err on the safe side, that the 90 day in/90 day out applies to all types of business visas. In that case when you leave Russia at the end of your first 90 day DE business visa, go home with the invitation for the second business visa sponsored by the school, that you will be denied. Because you haven't been out of Russia for 90 days.

So to revise my first post, I think you should absolutely get going on the work permit and work visa at the very beginning of your stay in St. Petersburg on the first visa, on the assumption that you will be denied the second 3 month visa because you haven't been out of Russia for 90 days.

Now all the documents for the work visa should be do-able in the first 90 days. They may not be approved and finished with the work visa issued, but three months is enough to get all the documentation done. Then if the work visa isn't actually issued during the first 90 days you'll have to go home and wait for the Russian bureauracracy to catch up. Then while at home the school will finally get all the work permit/visa stuff and send it on to you. You may then return to Russia on the new work visa.

It's a mess.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

yes when willRussia get out of the stone age and make a better visa system...Stresses me just reading this!

StephenB. · VIP Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 810

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

we should get there system over here then...oh wait still that won't keep the illegals out...dam it!@