From 90 to 30 days: Russia reduces the period for medical examination of migrants

Russia is significantly reducing the timeframe for migrants to undergo mandatory medical examinations, shortening it from 90 days to just 30 days after entry. This new regulation, set to take effect on September 1 of the current year, mandates that migrants must confirm the absence of dangerous infectious diseases, including HIV, and prove they are not using narcotic substances within this new 30-day window.

Failure to adhere to this stricter timeline carries significant consequences. Migrants who do not complete the required medical checks face fines, which range from 25,000 to 100,000 rubles for individuals. Officials face penalties between 100,000 and 200,000 rubles, while legal entities could be fined between 300,000 and 1 million rubles. Beyond financial penalties, non-compliance can lead to deportation from Russia.

The amendments, approved by the Federation Council, also prohibit the involvement of intermediaries in the medical examination process, stipulating that only authorized medical institutions can conduct these checks. Upon completion, a medical certificate, available in electronic form, will be issued and entered into the Unified State Health Information System. If a dangerous disease is detected, the medical institution must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Rospotrebnadzor within 24 hours.

These changes are part of a broader trend of tightening migration policies in Russia. The reduction in the medical examination period comes after an agreement allowing Tajik labor migrants to undergo these checks in Tajikistan before traveling to Russia. Hundreds of thousands of Tajik citizens work in Russia annually, with their remittances being vital to Tajikistan's economy. In recent years, Russia has implemented stricter requirements for foreign workers, including mandatory medical screenings and the creation of a registry for individuals under migration authority control.