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Business warned about problems with the entry of foreign specialists into Russia. 

When foreign specialists entered Russia, there were problems, due to which large investment projects could be disrupted, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs reported. The organization has already warned that every day when the arrival of foreigners is delayed, it "causes irreparable financial losses to the industry."

There were delays in the issuance of permits to enter Russia for foreign specialists and the approval of charters for arrival. This was announced by the President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Alexander Shokhin in a letter to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin studied by RBC.

Entry permits for foreigners are prepared by the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Rosaviatsia is engaged in the coordination of charters, the newspaper notes. According to Shokhin, delays in paperwork carry high risks of disrupting large investment projects. He asked Mishustin to instruct the departments to issue clarifications on the procedure for the entry of foreign specialists into Russia with the regulation of the timing of all procedures.



Russia has banned entry for foreigners in mid-March. Shortly thereafter, Shokhin asked the government to allow foreign specialists to cross the border, RBC reported. The head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs explained the proposal by the fact that during the construction of complex technical objects, the installation of the necessary expensive equipment, the personal presence of highly qualified and specially certified foreigners is often required. The fact is  that  the generating, machine-building companies and food producers faced a shortage of specialists, Kommersant wrote.

At the end of April, the government lifted the travel ban for foreign engineers who service and install sophisticated technical equipment. However, big business complained about the difficulties in obtaining visas and work permits. Every day of delaying the procedure "causes irreparable financial losses to the industry," the RUIE warned.

In June, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, at the request of business and diplomatic missions, eased entry restrictions for highly qualified foreigners entitled to work in Russia. They can enter Russia once on the basis of a special list prepared by relevant ministries. A prerequisite is an indication of the date of arrival and the checkpoint through which the employee will enter Russia. The specialist must have a valid contract with the employer.