Foreigners Now Required to Pass Drug Test to Work in Russia
If you are a foreigner in Russia who wants to work, you will now have to pass a drug test. The new requirement came into effect at the beginning of the year which calls for foreigners that work or who intend to work in Russia to have a blood test for drugs. If there are drugs present, the authorities do not have to issue a work permit.
Specifically authorities want to know if the person is addicted to hard drugs like cocaine or heroin, not soft drugs like marijuana or hashish. Even though the medical certificate required is only good for three months, Federal Migration Services officials have clarified that the documents need only be submitted once a year. The only thing that will require retesting within the 1 year period is if the foreigner needs an operation at a hospital or want to apply for a bank loan - for that a current certificate will be required.
It’s the same arrangement that is used for HIV testing, also mandatory for the work permit and the one-year visa. Most foreigners are unaware of the new regulations and view them as just one more hoop to jump through in order to work in Russia.
