How Foreign Citizens in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast Can Resolve Their Legal Status by April 30, 2025

Hello! I’m Sergey, a lawyer specialising in immigration law. In this article, I’ll explain important changes in Russian immigration law that foreign citizens, particularly those in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, need to be aware of. Specifically, I will focus on those who must regularise their legal status in Russia by 30 April 2025 under the new Presidential Edict.

Who Needs to Resolve Their Legal Status?

According to the Presidential Edict “Concerning Temporary Measures to Regulate the Legal Status of Certain Categories of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation in Connection with the Application of the ‘Expulsion Regime’”, foreign citizens who are in Russia illegally or have not yet regularised their migration status must resolve their legal status by 30 April 2025.

This includes foreign citizens who need to be included in the list of persons under supervision by migration authorities. If you fall into this category, you must take steps to regularise your status within the set timeframe.

What Conditions Must Be Met to Regularise Your Status?

For foreign citizens who wish to regularise their status, the following conditions must be met:

1. Provision of Biometric Data: You will need to provide your biometric data or undergo registration based on your biometric information.
2. Medical Examination: A medical examination is required to check for the use of narcotics or the presence of infectious diseases that could pose a risk to public health.
3. Knowledge of Russian Language, History, and Law: You must provide a document confirming your knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, and the basic principles of Russian law.
4. Settling Outstanding Payments: Any outstanding compulsory payments in accordance with Russian law must be paid.
5. No Grounds for Denial of Documents: There must be no grounds for the denial or annulment of your visa, work permit, work licence, temporary residence permit, or permanent residence permit under the relevant Russian laws.
    

What If You Haven’t Regularised Your Status Yet?

If you are one of the foreign citizens who need to regularise your legal status, it’s essential to act before the deadline of 30 April 2025. This process may involve providing the necessary documentation and undergoing the required procedures, such as medical tests and language proficiency verification.

What Happens If You Don’t Resolve Your Legal Status?

If you fail to regularise your legal status by 30 April 2025, you will be required to leave Russia. Furthermore, foreign citizens who do not comply with the new requirements may face restrictions on entering Russia in the future.

How Can I Help You?

As a lawyer specialising in immigration law, I am here to assist you in understanding whether the Edict applies to your specific situation and guide you through the process of regularising your legal status. I can help you prepare the necessary documents, ensure compliance with medical examinations and biometric registration, and provide advice on how to avoid common mistakes that could complicate the process.

Don’t wait until the last minute—if you need help with regularising your legal status in Russia, feel free to contact me. I’m always ready to provide professional legal assistance to help you navigate the complexities of Russian immigration law and resolve your issues efficiently.

Initial consultations are free over the phone: +7 (931) 215-13-00. Call, and we will discuss how to resolve your issue. I am always ready to provide high-quality legal assistance.