The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has initiated several significant updates to its immigration and repatriation policies, aiming to broaden the scope of eligibility for repatriation programs and tighten the requirements for foreign nationals residing within Russia.
According to recent reports, the MVD is proposing to expand the list of categories for potential repatriates to include individuals born or permanently residing in former Soviet republics such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine. This proposal follows the release of amendments to presidential decree No. 637 on regulation.gov.ru.
These updates aim to improve the repatriation program, previously targeted at compatriots and their descendants, which offers benefits like social assistance, financial support for relocation, and assistance with documentation. The new conditions, set to take effect starting January 2024, include provisions for four specific categories: Soviet citizens born and residing within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), those with direct lineage from individuals born in the RSFSR or the Russian Empire, and Russian citizens permanently residing abroad as of February 24, 2022. Notably, this initiative includes those who have voluntarily renounced their Russian citizenship.
Individuals falling under these categories will now have the freedom to settle anywhere within Russia, not confined to government-designated regions, and will not be required to prove their proficiency in the Russian language, albeit such individuals will have fewer benefits under the repatriation scheme. According to the explanatory note accompanying the amendments, these adjustments are justified on the grounds of familiarity with Russian culture and language among the targeted groups.
Further simplifying requirements, the MVD suggested alternatives for demonstrating Russian language proficiency, proposing to recognize educational qualifications obtained through Russian universities abroad and to exempt those who previously held citizenship from needing to prove language skills altogether.
Significantly, the MVD has also mandated mandatory medical examinations for all foreign nationals who intend to stay long-term within Russia. This requirement extends to visitors from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries and will necessitate annual health checks to confirm the absence of certain infectious diseases. The penalty for non-compliance can result in immediate deportation and permanent bans from entering Russia, underlining the government's stringent approach to health safety.
This new health mandate excludes certain groups from the requirement, including Belarusian citizens, children under six, and embassy staff along with their families. Tourists, whose stays do not exceed three months, are similarly exempt from undergoing medical checks. Foreign nationals must comply with these health regulations or risk expulsion.
Another notable change is the establishment of the Registry of Controlled Individuals. Launched on February 5, this public database allows authorities to verify the status of foreign nationals residing within Russia. Law enforcement intends for this registry to bolster security and improve oversight of the immigration situation.
To access the registry, users must provide personal information such as their full name and date of birth, along with the unique identifiers associated with their identification documents. The data within this registry will be refreshed every four hours, enhancing the timeliness and accuracy of immigration records.
Individuals documented within this registry may face various restrictions. For example, they could find themselves barred from marriage, enrolling their children in local schools, and accessing standard services, including obtaining driving licenses. The police department clarified, “An individual is considered informed of their inclusion or removal from the registry as of the day this information is published on the MVD's official website.”
Immigrants found violating the residency regulations may face deportation or stricter sanctions, with potential inclusion in the controlled individuals registry. The parameters for determining inclusion include expiration of their stay permits and indictment rulings.
New measures aimed at foreign employment follow suit, where potential employers must run checks against this registry to confirm the legal status of foreign workers they may hire. Non-compliance could lead to stories of administrative penalties ranging significantly, from fines of 35,000 to 50,000 rubles for individuals and 400,000 to 500,000 rubles for companies.
With the various consequences for foreign nationals and the stringent requirements for repatriates, the MVD's policy overhaul signals Russia's intent to exert closer control over its immigration framework amid changing demographics and geopolitical dynamics.
The updates, spoken about through the ministry's platforms and echoed by officials like Konstantin Zatulin and human rights commissioner Valery Fadeev, reflect broader societal themes of integration, health security, and national identity as the Russian government signals its continued commitment to managing immigration and repatriation rigorously.
Through these measures, the MVD asserts hospitable yet cautious sentiments toward compatriots abroad, signifying Russia’s willingness to welcome those connected culturally, all the meanwhile ensuring health and security demands are met for both above and below its borders.