We will update the section on India to reflect recent changes and the current situation.

🇮🇳 Specifics for Indian Citizens

General rules apply to Indian citizens regarding migration registration in Russia: the deadline is 7 working days from the date of entry. The law provides no exceptions for India, unlike for citizens of the EAEU (30 days) or Tajikistan (15 days).

However, there are important nuances that employers in Altai Krai need to consider:

Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) status. If your Indian employee holds HQS status, the timeframes are more lenient—90 days from the date of entry. However, keep in mind that a valid employment contract is required to extend registration and process the necessary documents.

Quotas. India is classified as a "visa" country, so the recruitment of workers takes place via a quota system. A quota of 71,817 has been set for Indian citizens for 2025. An increase of at least 40,000 Indian workers is expected in 2026. It is important for employers to submit quota applications in advance through regional authorities.

Language and cultural barriers. Most Indian workers do not speak Russian. This limits their deployment in complex manufacturing roles and necessitates the organization of language and adaptation courses. This issue is particularly relevant in the Altai Territory, where—unlike in major metropolitan areas—there is less of an English-speaking environment.

Practical challenges. Experience shows that Indian nationals often face issues with expired registrations due to a lack of understanding regarding procedures and the language barrier. Furthermore, migration controls in Russia have been tightened following the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, and the Altai Territory, being a border region, is subject to heightened scrutiny.

What the employer should do:

· Verify the employee’s status (Highly Qualified Specialist or standard specialist).
· Assist with registration within the first 2–3 days to avoid the risk of missing deadlines.
· Arrange for language support and explain the rules regarding their stay.
· Monitor quota changes—these may be revised in 2026.

"Snow Lotus" has experience working with Indian specialists and is ready to handle all aspects of migration registration, allowing you to focus on your business.