Russia launches talent visa for skilled foreigners

Russia has introduced a new multiple-entry talent visa for highly skilled foreign nationals, offering an easier route to temporary and permanent residence, according to a report by Fragomen. The visa is open to professionals in science, creative industries, sports, graduates of top universities, those with rare skills, and entrepreneurs contributing to Russia's technological development.

Applications will first be assessed by the newly established Agency for Attracting Foreign Talents to Russia before being processed by regular immigration authorities. Holders can apply for a temporary residence permit without quota or Russian language requirements, and those who pass a Russian language test can skip to directly applying for a permanent residence permit. In exceptional cases, talent visa holders may also qualify for a simplified route to Russian citizenship.