Significant increase in salary requirements for foreign highly qualified specialists

On 8 July 2026, the State Duma of the Russian Federation passed the resonant Bill (Draft Law) No. 1158407-8Bill (Draft Law) № 1158407-8 “On Amendments to the Federal Law ’On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation’”. in its third reading, which significantly alters the rules for employing foreign employees who hold the status of highly qualified specialists (hereinafter referred to as “HQS”).

The primary change is that the minimum salary for most HQS will increase nearly threefold starting from 1 March 2027.

Rationale behind the changes

The explanatory note to the Bill details the logic behind such a substantial increase:

• Since the introduction of the HQS status back in 2010, the minimum salary threshold for HQS has been significantly revised only once. Consequently, the income requirements for foreign nationals have fallen critically behind the actual wage dynamics in the Russian Federation.
• The preferential HQS migration regime could be used by certain employers as a loophole to legalize lower skilled foreign citizens.

The new rules are intended to restore the original purpose of the HQS status: this regime must be used exclusively to attract unique specialists whose salaries are significantly above the average wage in Russia.

New salary thresholds from 1 March 2027

In accordance with the new requirements, the minimum salary for an HQS will be:

• RUB 717,000Approx. USD 9,443 according to the USD/RUB exchange rate of the Russian Central Bank as of 10 July 2026. per month — the basic minimum threshold for most HQS (previously fixed at RUB 750,000Approx. USD 9,878 according to the USD/RUB exchange rate of the Russian Central Bank as of 10 July 2026. per quarter).
• RUB 358,500Approx. USD 4,721 according to the USD/RUB exchange rate of the Russian Central Bank as of 10 July 2026. per month — a reduced threshold for specific categories of HQS, such as:
• researchers and teaching staff;
• employees of residents of industrial, tourism, port, or technically innovative Special Economic Zones;
• employees of accredited IT companies;
• employees of participants in the “Skolkovo”, “Sirius” projects, as well as innovative science and technology centres; etc.

Additionally, an annual indexation of HQS salaries is introduced by the adopted Bill.

The legislation also introduces special transitional regulations for foreign citizens who obtained an HQS work permit before 1 March 2027 and do not meet the new requirements. Such employees will be allowed to obtain a work patent or a “standard” work permit without the obligation to physically leave Russia, subject to the availability of appropriate grounds and in accordance with the established procedure.

Practical implications for employers

High risks of migration non-compliance — including fines of up to RUB 1,000,000Approx. USD 13,170 according to the USD/RUB exchange rate of the Russian Central Bank as of 10 July 2026. or the suspension of company operations for up to 90 daysArticle 18.15 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses. — make proactive audit and adaptation to the new rules a critical priority for businesses.

Employers are advised to utilize the transitional period leading up to 1 March 2027, to prepare for the new requirements. Specifically, companies are recommended to take the following steps in advance:

• Identify current and planned HQS whose compensation does not meet the new salary thresholds;
• Assess the financial feasibility and budget for increasing salaries to retain key HQS;
• Explore alternative options for foreign employee onboarding (e. g., obtaining “standard” work permits within quotas, temporary residence permits, permanent residence permits, transitioning to work patents, etc.);
• If maintaining the employment relationship is impossible or impractical, develop an action strategy and terminate employment contracts in a timely manner, strictly complying with labour and migration laws.

In light of the above, the strategy and course of action are to be determined individually, taking into account the unique circumstances of each situation.