RUSSIA – Passport Validity Requirement Eased for Highly Qualified Specialists
Effective February 19, 2016, foreign nationals applying for an initial or renewal Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) work permit to Russia must hold a passport valid for one year, rather than the three years validity currently required.
Background
Compliance with the previous passport validity requirement of three years was difficult as, in some cases, governments do not issue new passports unless the current one has less than one year of validity remaining.
Passport Validity for Work Visa Applications
HQS work permit holders applying for work visa invitation letters for themselves or accompanying family members should note that the required passport validity for this application is one year and six months (18 months).