State Duma proposes ban on previously convicted foreigners
MOSCOW. Nov 15 (Interfax) - The State Duma has proposed denying the issue of temporary residence permits to foreign citizens who were previously convicted of crimes inside or outside of Russia. A related draft law has been posted in the house's document database.
Mikhail Starshinov, a member of the United Russia faction representing the Russian Popular Front, proposed that the federal laws "On Regulations for the Entry into the Russian Federation and the Exit from the Russian Federation" and "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation" be amended.
The draft law limits the temporary stay of a foreign citizen visiting Russia in the visa-free regime to 90 days in each 180-day period.
So far, foreigners enjoying visa-free admission to Russia must leave the country after 90 days of their stay but have the right to return here immediately.
"The Federal Migration Service said that the right was exercised by 10% of foreign citizens as a way to considerably extend their presence in Russia without a permit," says the explanatory note to the bill.
In addition, the draft law prohibits the issue of temporary or permanent residence permits to foreigners who have earlier been convicted of crimes inside or outside of Russia.
The same restrictions will apply to foreign citizens with outstanding convictions they receive inside or outside of Russia.
In these cases, the temporary or permanent residence permits issued to foreign citizens earlier would be declared invalid.
Pursuant to current laws, a foreigner with an invalid temporary or permanent residence permit should leave Russia within 15 days. A foreign citizen who fails to meet this requirement will be deported.
The draft law suggests banning the entry into Russia of foreign citizens with any outstanding convictions inside or outside of Russia.
Currently, foreign citizens with outstanding convictions are denied entry into Russia only of the crime is premeditated.
