Working in Russia: documents and translations
Work permit, patent, highly qualified specialist status or a residence permit — which route lets a foreigner work in Russia and which documents must be translated and notarized for each.
A foreigner can work in Russia on one of several grounds. Which one applies depends on your citizenship, how you entered the country and your qualification — and that in turn decides which documents have to be translated.
The main routes
| Route | Who it is for | Typical translations |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit | citizens of visa countries hired by a Russian employer within the quota | passport; diploma where the job requires it |
| Patent | citizens of visa-free countries (mostly CIS) working for companies or individuals | passport, when not in Russian |
| Highly qualified specialist (HQS) | specialists with a salary above the legal threshold; the employer applies | passport; family documents if family members get permits too |
| EAEU citizens | citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan | usually no permit needed; diploma for regulated professions |
| RVP or VNZh holders | foreigners with a temporary or permanent residence permit | no work permit needed |
The details of each route — quotas, salary thresholds, medical checks, the Russian language exam — change from time to time. Check them with your employer's HR or a migration lawyer before you start.
Translations you are likely to need
- passport — almost always; for permits issued to the employee personally, the migration office needs a notarized translation of the data page, sometimes of the whole passport;
- diploma and transcript — when the position legally requires a qualification, and for highly qualified specialists where the employer wants to confirm it; see diploma recognition;
- marriage and birth certificates — when family members join an HQS or apply for their own status.
Foreign documents need an apostille or legalization before the translation, unless your country is exempt.
When a residence permit is simpler
If you plan to stay for years, an RVP or VNZh often turns out simpler than renewing work permits: both allow you to work without a separate permit (an RVP — in the region that issued it). See RVP documents.
What we need
Scans or photos of the documents your route requires. Translations with the notary's certification are ready in 1 business day, and your name is spelled the same in all of them.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; check the current list with your migration office before filing.