Headline

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Tet Russian Work Visa

Published

9 months ago

November 25, 2024

A Russian work visa allows foreign nationals to legally enter and work in Russia. It is specifically issued to individuals who have secured employment in the country.

This type of visa is initially issued as a single-entry visa and remains valid for up to 90 days. However, it can be extended through the Russian Ministry of Interior. Nationals of Belarus and South Ossetia are exempted from requiring a work visa to be employed in Russia, while individuals from other countries must apply for one.

Reports say Russia needs immigrants to fill the labour shortage. According to Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, in an interview published on Friday, November 22, 2024, Russia’s dwindling workforce has made immigration essential for its development.

Sometimes, travellers may enter Russia visa-free for purposes other than employment. According to Visaguide, here are some step-by-step guide to getting a Russian work visa:

1. Secure a Job
The first step is securing a job in Russia. It is only possible to apply for a work visa with a confirmed job offer from a Russian employer. Begin by researching job opportunities that match your qualifications and skills, and ensure that your potential employer is authorized to hire foreign workers. Once you have a job offer, the employer will guide you through their part of the visa process.

2. Passport Validity
You must verify the validity of your passport. It should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Russia and have at least two blank pages to accommodate the visa and other entry stamps. If your passport does not meet these requirements, you must renew it before proceeding.

3. Visa Support
An invitation to work in Russia, also known as visa support, is one of the most critical documents in the application process. The Russian Ministry of Interior issues this invitation, which your employer must obtain. Once issued, the invitation will either be sent to you in its original form or electronically, depending on the requirements of the consulate in your country.

4. Visa Application
Completing the Russian work visa application form is another essential step. The form is available on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry. You must fill it out carefully, ensuring all the information provided is accurate and consistent with the details on your other documents. Mistakes or inconsistencies can lead to delays or rejection. Once you have completed the form, print it and sign it as required.

5. Gathering Supporting Documents
The next stage involves gathering all the necessary supporting documents. These include the invitation issued by the Ministry of Interior, a letter from your employer detailing your job role and purpose of travel, an HIV test certificate issued within three months of your application date, and, if applicable, proof of health insurance. The health insurance document must clearly state that it covers medical services within Russia, along with repatriation services if required. Ensure that all documents meet the specific criteria set by the Russian authorities, as any discrepancies can negatively impact your application.

6. In-Person Submission
Submitting your application in person at a Russian consulate or designated visa processing center is crucial. Check the consulate’s guidelines in your country, as you may need to schedule an appointment. At the appointment, you will submit your documents, provide biometric data if requested, and answer any additional questions from the consular officers.

7. Visa Fee
Paying the visa fee is the final step of the application process. The cost of a Russian work visa can range from €30 to €500, depending on factors such as your nationality, the length of your stay, and whether you opt for expedited processing. Payment methods vary by consulate, so confirm whether they accept cash, card, or bank transfers. Keep proof of payment, as required, during the application review.

Once your application is complete, the consulate will process your request. In some cases, you may be invited for an interview. If your visa is approved, it will be issued as a sticker affixed to your passport.

Upon arrival in Russia, you must complete an immigration card. This document is provided at the port of entry and contains two identical parts. Border officials will retain one part, while you must always carry the other part with you. This card will be required when leaving the country.

You will also need to register your visa within seven days of arrival. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel management will handle the registration process on your behalf using copies of your passport, visa, and immigration card. If you are staying in a private residence, the homeowner must register the visa for you, often for a small fee.

Headline

David Lammy Appointed UK’s Deputy PM

Published

6 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, in a move that could reshape the direction of his administration.

As part of the shake-up, David Lammy, a senior Labour figure and former Foreign Secretary, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, taking over key roles previously held by Rayner.

The cabinet reshuffle comes at a politically sensitive time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is under growing pressure from both within the Labour Party and the broader electorate.

The sudden resignation of Angela Rayner, a high-profile figure with strong working-class support, has exposed internal tensions and sparked concerns over the party’s unity and electoral strategy.

According to BBC News on Friday, the reshuffle is seen as a crucial test for Starmer’s leadership, especially as Rayner had been a prominent and working-class figure whose departure may weaken his appeal to core Labour voters.

Key Cabinet reassignment

-Lammy transitions from Foreign Secretary to Deputy PM and Justice Secretary.

-Yvette Cooper moves from Home Secretary to Foreign Secretary.

-Shabana Mahmood is promoted from Justice Secretary to Home Secretary.

Other notable appointments include:

-Steve Reed as Housing Secretary

-Pat McFadden as head of a newly expanded Work and Pensions department

-Douglas Alexander as Scotland Secretary

-Liz Kendall moves to Science and Technology

-Emma Reynolds becomes Environment Secretary

-Peter Kyle appointed Business Secretary

-Jonathan Reynolds named Chief Whip

-Alan Campbell becomes Leader of the House of Commons

Meanwhile, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray were removed from their cabinet roles.

Political Fallout and Internal Tensions

Labour now faces mounting political pressure. Observers note Rayner’s exit leaves a vacuum for constituents drawn to her working-class credentials, possibly intensifying internal party divisions.

Her resignation also triggers a deputy leadership contest, opening up a battleground between the party’s centrist and left-leaning factions.

Moreover, Labour’s popularity has waned, with opposition to policies on welfare and immigration increasing support for Reform UK.

Starmer’s government’s handling of economic pressures and an upcoming £40 billion budget shortfall deepen the political stakes.

Lammy Steps into Key Role at a Crucial Juncture

Lammy’s appointment is viewed as strategically significant. Known for his reform credentials and advocacy for criminal justice reform, his new position comes as Parliament prepares for the Sentencing Bill.

The Prison Reform Trust welcomed his appointment, noting the timing offers “an important opportunity to move away from the failed cycle of overcrowding and crisis management.”

This reshuffle represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Keir Starmer’s administration. With Labour under heightened scrutiny and internal frictions rising, the effectiveness of the newly configured cabinet will be a litmus test of Starmer’s leadership, particularly as the party approaches a difficult budget season, rising populist pressures, and internal power shifts ahead of the next deputy leadership election.

Headline

Nigerian Arrested In Poland For Using Fake Residence Permit

Published

6 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Polish authorities have confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old Nigerian citizen on charges of using a counterfeit residence document.

The individual was detained by the Polish Border Guard, known as Straż Graniczna, as part of ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration and document forgery.

This information, which was obtained by PUNCH Online on Friday, was published on the Border Guard Headquarters’ news outlet on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

The BG HQs of Poland is the central unit which services the Border Guard Commander in Chief by supporting and coordinating actions of the BG units.

The report indicated that, “the Nigerian man admitted that he ordered the document online while still in the UK, received it by post, and paid €2,000 for it.

“It turned out that the Nigerian had no legal basis for staying in Poland as he had been in the country illegally for four days.”

Consequently, the Commander of the Border Guard ordered him to leave the country within 20 days and imposed a three-year ban on entry to the Schengen Area.

In addition, he was charged under Article 270 § 1 of the Penal Code – for using a counterfeit document.

The man pleaded guilty and voluntarily submitted to the penalty, but declined to provide further explanation.

According to sources specialising in immigration law, many individuals who use these fake documents are victims of elaborate scams.

As one legal expert noted in a report, “Until the situation was clarified, Ibrahim was detained in prison.”

Law enforcement agencies across Poland have been actively working to dismantle these criminal networks.

A recent, large-scale operation supported by Europol led to the arrest of dozens of suspects and the seizure of thousands of counterfeit documents, including residence permits, visas, and other identification.

Headline

US To Cut Military Aid To European Countries Near Russia — Official

Published

6 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

The United States is to end long-running military assistance for European countries close to Russia, as it pushes the continent to play a greater role in its own defence, an official in one of the countries confirmed on Friday.

“Last week, the US Defense Department informed the countries that, starting from its next financial period, funding will be reduced to zero,” the defence policy director in Lithuania’s defence ministry, Vaidotas Urbelis, told reporters.

The decision comes as US President Donald Trump struggles to end Moscow’s three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine.

Urbelis confirmed reports in The Washington Post and The Financial Times, citing unnamed officials saying the move was part of Trump’s efforts to cut US expenditure abroad.

The FT said US officials had told European diplomats last week that Washington would no longer fund programmes to train and equip eastern European militaries along Russia’s border.

The Washington Post said the funding to be cut was worth several hundred million dollars.

In Lithuania’s case, the cuts would impact “the purchase of US weapons and other equipment, and training”, Urbelis said.

He added that it “will not have an impact on the US troop presence in the region”, which was funded through a separate US budget allocation.

A White House official said the move hewed to a January executive order Trump had signed that reevaluated US foreign aid.

“This action has been coordinated with European countries in line with the executive order and the president’s longstanding emphasis on ensuring Europe takes more responsibility for its own defence,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Trump has long been sceptical of both US defence spending in Europe and aid for Ukraine, pushing some of Washington’s closest allies to play a greater role on both fronts.

The Lithuanian defence ministry official said that the US funding for training and equipping its military covered between a third and 80 percent of total military aid received by the country.

Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told the Postimees daily that he viewed the US move as “especially symbolic, in a negative way.

AFP