Duma adopts bill to liberalize employment of foreign IT specialists

MOSCOW. June 15 (Interfax) - A government bill liberalizing employment of foreign IT specialists and issuance of residence permits to such specialists and their families passed the third reading in the State Duma on Wednesday.

"The bill aims to liberalize employment of foreign IT specialists by accredited entities that operate in the field of information technologies and issuance of Russian residence permits to such specialists and their families," an explanatory note to the bill said.

For instance, the bill envisages fast-track issuance of residence permits, bypassing the temporary residence stage. The rule, which allows employment exclusively on the basis of a work permit or a patent, will not apply in this case, while employers will not need permission to recruit and use the services of such foreign workers.

At the same time, residence permits may be revoked whenever specialists terminate their labor contract and do not enter into a new labor contract with a similar entity within 30 days. Families will also lose residence permits in this case.