How to Obtain Work Permits for Indian Workers

Obtaining work permits is a lengthy and complex process. Before inviting workers from India, an employer must secure all necessary authorisation documents and obtain the required approvals well in advance. This article examines the types of permits available and the procedure for obtaining them.

Quota-Subject and Quota-Exempt Positions

The key factor that determines the applicable procedure is whether the position for which a foreign national is being recruited falls within a quota-subject category. Each year, the Russian Government determines the annual requirement for foreign workers from visa-regime countries, including India. For 2026, the quota has been set at 278,940 persons, representing a 19% increase on the previous year.

The quota is allocated across professions that are considered priorities for the national economy. The greatest demand has been recorded in the food processing, woodworking, textile and garment industries, as well as in construction, metalworking, and mechanical engineering.

A separate order issued by the Russian Ministry of Labour approves a list of professions to which quotas do not apply. Quota-exempt categories generally comprise positions requiring a high level of qualification, or roles within organisations that hold special status. The current list should be verified at the outset of the application process, as it is subject to periodic revision.

Obtaining a Permit to Attract and Use Foreign Workers

To hire workers from visa-regime countries — including India, China, and Turkey — the employer is required to obtain a permit to attract and use foreign workers, which is valid for one year. The procedure for obtaining this document includes a mandatory assessment of the availability of local labour.

The employer must notify the employment service of available vacancies through the unified digital platform "Work in Russia." If the employment service is unable to fill the positions with Russian nationals within 30 calendar days, the employer becomes entitled to apply for the permit to attract and use foreign workers..

The application is submitted in the prescribed form through an automated system to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the local employment centre. It must be accompanied by a justification of the need for foreign workers and a letter of guarantee confirming the employer's ability to provide them with housing and medical care. Following review by an inter-departmental commission, the application is forwarded to the Ministry of Labour for approval.

Standard Work Permit

Once the permit to attract and use foreign workers has been obtained, the employer may proceed to apply for individual work permits for specific employees from India. Such a permit is issued for a period of one year and may be renewed an unlimited number of times, provided that a new permit to attract and use foreign workers is obtained in a timely manner.

The process involves several stages. The employer first submits an application for the issuance of a work permit for the foreign national, and subsequently submits an application for an invitation permitting the worker to enter Russia. An important requirement is that within 90 days of the date of entry, the foreign national must confirm their proficiency in the Russian language and their knowledge of Russian history and the fundamentals of Russian law by obtaining the appropriate certificate.

Upon arrival, the worker enters Russia on a single-entry visa valid for 90 days, which the employer subsequently extends to a multiple-entry visa for a period of up to one year. The company is also required to register the employee with the migration authorities at their place of actual residence.

Responsibilities of the Inviting Company

Regardless of the type of permit obtained, the Russian company bears full responsibility for the foreign employee it has invited. The inviting company undertakes obligations in respect of the financial support, healthcare, and accommodation of the foreign national for the duration of their stay in Russia.

The company is required to notify the migration authorities within the prescribed time limit — three business days — of the conclusion and termination of an employment contract with a foreign national. In addition, quarterly reports on salary payments to Highly Qualified Specialists must be filed.

Failure to comply with these obligations carries serious consequences. Legal entities may be subject to administrative fines of up to one million roubles or a suspension of activities, and issued invitations and work permits may be revoked. For the employee, the consequences include deportation and a potential ban on re-entry to Russia.

Conclusion

Obtaining work permits for Indian nationals is a multi-stage process that requires the employer to have a clear understanding of the distinctions between different categories of foreign workers. For non-HQS workers, the quota procedure must be followed and a permit to attract and use foreign workers obtained; for highly qualified personnel, the simplified HQS procedure is available.

The overarching condition for a successful outcome is strict adherence to notification deadlines and the fulfilment of all obligations towards the invited employee. Failure to comply with these requirements creates risks not only for the foreign worker, but also for the company itself — in the form of substantial fines and a future ban on engaging foreign workers.

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