April 17, 2019 Russian Government has signed Agreement with the Government of Tajikistan on organized recruitment of citizens of Tajikistan for temporary work in Russia. At this moment the Agreement is filed for ratification to the Russian State Duma. Once the ratification procedure is completed, the Agreement will come into force and will be applied.
The initiative came from the Russian Ministry of Labour and was supported by the Government and the International Affairs Ministry. Agreement emphasizes the priority of collective employment of Tajikistan citizens in Russia. Though, the Agreement does not prohibit to Tajikistan citizens individual search for employment.
Practically this means the following. Tajikistan citizen who would like to work in Russia will file an application to the responsible government agency in Tajikistan. This agency will:
- Review the application;
- Inform about open vacancies in Russia;
- Discuss candidates for employment with the employer in Russia;
- Help to prepare for the exams: Russian language, history, basics of legal knowledge;
- Conduct medical tests;
- Review candidates’ criminal history;
- Discuss the text of the labour agreement with the employer;
- Organize transport to Russia and back;
Additionally the responsible agency in Tajikistan will sign agreements with employers in Russia for collective supply of candidates for open vacancies.
Russian Labour Ministry will be responsible for keeping computer database containing all information on open vacancies, vetting prospective employers.
International agreement in question confirms the need for Tajikistan citizens to apply for work permits to work in Russia. It also confirms that such work permit can be extended for its term without the need for the foreign national to exit Russia. It also doesn’t state any limits on extensions.
Currently Tajikistan citizens work in Russia on the basis of either patents for which they apply individually and which can be extended only once or on the basis of the HQS (highly qualified specialist) work permits (application is filed by the employer). In case Tajikistan citizen is the holder of the extended patent, he or she has to leave Russia and re-enter again in order to apply for the patent anew.
Government Order from 31.10.2019, № 1397 «On submission for ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Russian Federation and the Government of Tajikistan on organized recruitment of citizens of Tajikistan for temporary work on the territory of Russian Federation»
We will keep you posted on the developments. Meanwhile, should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Best Regards,
VFBS
Migration Law Department