Navigating Russian Government Services: A Guide for Foreign Citizens

Russia’s bureaucratic system can be daunting for foreign citizens, with multiple agencies handling visas, work permits, residency, and other essential services. Whether you’re applying for a temporary stay, seeking permanent residency, or just trying to register at your address, knowing which offices to contact—and what they do—is crucial.

This guide breaks down Russia’s key government institutions, from federal agencies like the GUVM (Main Directorate for Migration) to regional hubs like Moscow’s Sakharovo Migration Center, helping you navigate the system with confidence.

1. Federal Agencies (Federal Level)

Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) – Министерство внутренних дел (МВД)

Main Directorate for Migration (GUMVD) – Главное управление по вопросам миграции (ГУВМ МВД)
Handles visas, residency permits, citizenship, registration (migration records), work permits, and deportation cases.
Replaced the Federal Migration Service (FMS – ФМС) in 2016.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) – Министерство иностранных дел (МИД)

Issues visas abroad through Russian consulates.
Handles diplomatic and official visas.

Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM / МЧС России)

Emergency services (fire, disaster response).
Not directly related to immigration but important for safety.
Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (Минтруд России)
Work permits, labor contracts, and employment laws.

Federal Security Service (FSB – ФСБ России)

Border control, security checks for visas/residency.
Some visa approvals require FSB clearance.

Federal Tax Service (FTS – ФНС России)

Tax registration (INN – ИНН for foreigners).
Required for work, business, or property ownership.

Multifunctional Centers (MFC – МФЦ / "Мои Документы")

Provides public services (visa extensions, residency applications, document notarisation).
Acts as an intermediary for many government services.

2. Regional & Local Offices

Local Departments of the GUMVD (ГУВМ МВД regional branches)

Each region has its own GUMVD office for migration issues.
Examples:
- Moscow GUMVD (ГУВМ МВД по г. Москве)
- St. Petersburg & Leningrad Oblast GUMVD (ГУМВД по г. Санкт-Петербург и Ленинградская Область)

Passport Offices (Паспортный стол)

Handles registration (прописка/регистрация) at local levels.
Often part of housing authorities or MFCs.

Consular Departments of Russian Embassies/Consulates (Консульский отдел)

For visa applications before arriving in Russia.

3. Other Important Services

Notary Offices (Нотаріальные конторы / Нотариус)

Legalises documents (contracts, power of attorney, translations).
Required for many official processes (e.g., residency, property deals).

Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre, and Cartography (Rosreestr – Росреестр)

Registers real estate transactions (buying/selling property).
Issues extracts from the Unified State Register of Real Estate (ЕГРН).

Pension Fund of Russia (PFR – Пенсионный фонд России, ПФР)

Social security, pension registration (СНИЛС) (for long-term residents).
Required for work permits in some cases.

Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor – Роспотребнадзор)

Medical certificates (e.g., HIV tests for work permits).
Sanitary and epidemiological approvals.

Federal Service for Labor and Employment (Rostrud – Роструд)

Labor disputes, employment law compliance.
Work permit checks for employers.

Federal Customs Service (FTS – ФТС России)

Customs declarations for importing/exporting goods.
Temporary import of vehicles (for foreign citizens).

Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor – Рособрнадзор)

Recognition of foreign diplomas (nostrification).
Required for work in regulated professions (e.g., medicine, education).

4. Regional & Municipal Services

Local Visa and Registration Offices (ОВиР / ОВУР)

ОВиР (Отдел виз и регистрации) – Local visa and registration departments (often under GUMVD).
ОВУР (Отдел въезда и учета иностранцев) – Entry and foreign citizen registration offices in some regions.

Municipal Migration Centers (e.g., Moscow Migration Center in Sakharovo)

Moscow: "Сахарово" (Sakharovo) – Processes work permits, residency, and patents for migrant workers.
Other major cities (St. Petersburg, Kazan, etc.) have similar regional centers.

Regional Health Departments (Минздрав региона)

Medical exams for residency/work permits.
Vaccination certificates (e.g., COVID-19 requirements).

Traffic Police (ГИБДД / ГАИ)

Driver’s license exchange (for long-term residents).
Vehicle registration for foreigners.

5. Specialised Services for Foreign Citizen

Employer Accreditation Offices (for work permits)

Companies hiring foreign citizens must register with local GUMVD and tax offices.

Higher Education Institutions (for student visas)

Universities handle invitations and visa extensions for students.

Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ТПП России)

Business visas, trade licenses, and legal support for foreign entrepreneurs.

Summary of Key Offices for Foreign Citizens

Service	English Name	Russian Name (Acronym)
Visa/Residency	Main Directorate for Migration	ГУВМ МВД (ex-FMS)
Work Permits	Ministry of Labor / GUMVD	Минтруд / ГУВМ МВД
Taxes	Federal Tax Service	ФНС России
Real Estate	Rosreestr	Росреестр
Health Certificates	Rospotrebnadzor	Роспотребнадзор
Public Services	Multifunctional Centers (MFC)	МФЦ ("Мои Документы")
Regional Registration	Local OViR / OVUR	ОВиР / ОВУР
Emergency Help	EMERCOM	МЧС России

Additional region-specific details and specialised services for Foreign Citizens in Russia

1. Moscow-Specific Services

(a) Moscow Migration Center (Sakharovo) – Многофункциональный миграционный центр (Сахарово)

Location: Village of Sakharovo, 66 km outside Moscow
Services:
- Work patents (for visa-free CIS migrants).
- Temporary residency permits (РВП) and permanent residency (ВНЖ).
- Medical exams for work/residency.
- Fingerprinting and photo registration.
Important: Appointments are often required.

(b) Moscow MFC ("Мои Документы")

Over 100 branches in Moscow.
Handles:
- Registration (прописка) at place of stay.
- Notary services, tax ID (ИНН), and document legalisation.

(c) Moscow Visa and Registration Department (OVIR/GUVM)

Main Office: Ulitsa Novoslobodskaya, 45 (МВД по г. Москве).
Processes:
- Visa extensions (except tourist visas).
- Invitation letters for work/study visas.

2. St. Petersburg-Specific Services

(a) St. Petersburg GUVM (ГУВМ СПб и ЛО)

Main Office: Ulitsa Krasnogo Tekstilshchika, 10-12.
Services:
- Residency permits (РВП/ВНЖ).
- Work permits for non-CIS foreign citizens.

(b) St. Petersburg MFC

Over 40 branches (e.g., Liteyny Prospekt, 24).
Handles registration, tax, and notary services.

(c) St. Petersburg Visa Center (for some countries)

Some nationalities (e.g., Indian, Chinese) must apply through VFS Global or Pony Express instead of consulates.

3. Regional Differences

(a) Crimea & Sevastopol

Special rules:
- Some countries (e.g., Ukraine) require separate permits.
- Direct flights from Russia only (international entry via mainland).

(b) Kaliningrad (Special Economic Zone)

Simplified e-visa for short stays (if eligible).
Separate border controls (exclave region).

(c) Far East (Vladivostok, Khabarovsk)

Free e-visas for certain nationalities (8-day stay).
Stricter border controls near China/North Korea.

4. Special Cases

(a) Highly Qualified Specialists (HQS – ВКС)

Fast-track work permits (valid up to 3 years).
Salary must exceed ₽167,000/month (2024 threshold).

(b) CIS Citizens (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.)

No visas required but need:
- Migration card (при въезде).
- Registration after 30 days (if staying long-term).
- Work patent (if working outside Moscow/St. Petersburg).

(c) Students