The government has approved an action plan for the adaptation of foreigners in Russia

The concept of the state policy on migration of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025 was adopted by presidential decree in 2018. Last spring, the head of the country clarified the document, adding to it the requirement for additional measures to create attractive financial, social and other mechanisms for preserving human capital and reducing the outflow of the country’s specialists abroad.

Now the Prime Minister has approved an action plan to implement the concept in the next 2 years. Digitalization will be increasingly introduced into the management of migration processes. Until December 2024, departments must submit proposals for creating a digital profile of a foreign citizen. This allows you to correctly confirm the identity of foreigners arriving in the country. By the same date, the results of the experiment on collecting biometric data from those arriving through Moscow airports will be summed up. The experiment also involves state genomic registration and voice recording of foreigners.

Digitalization will also open up new opportunities for migrants. The digital profile will expand the practice of providing government services in the migration field in electronic form. For example, before arriving in Russia, foreigners will be able to register in a unified biometric system using a specialized mobile application. If they arrive in the country on a visa-free basis, the digital profile will allow notification of their planned arrival.

The government is going to develop an electronic visa system.

Already this year, the list of countries whose citizens will have the right to obtain such an entry document may be expanded. It is planned to expand the list of types of visas issued electronically, both study and work. Until 09/10/24, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation will prepare legal acts to provide foreigners with the right to change the purpose of entry into the Russian Federation without the need to enter the country.

Additional opportunities will open up for those foreigners who wish to study in Russia, and the country will compensate for the acute shortage of personnel. The plan sets the task of annually increasing the number of non-residents receiving higher and specialized education.

Providing asylum in the country is also given attention. The draft law will eliminate gaps and conflicts. The legal framework will be spelled out to assist in the movement of business assets and the organization of processes.

A set of measures will be taken to punish non-residents for violating the laws of the Russian Federation and their control will be strengthened. Measures to freeze assets will be implemented against foreigners involved in terrorist activities. Departments will block websites on the Internet offering illegal services in the field of migration.

A separate point of the plan will concern Russians living abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will prepare regulations for maintaining mandatory consular records of citizens of the Russian Federation.