Job Discussion Forums

[Volodiya]

Has this topic been exhausted? I have only done what was necessary to meet my own needs in each case over eleven years, and I don't have full details for others but, I know questions pertaining to things like this do come up, from time to time, and I'd like to try to shed a little light on them.
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In Russia, I applied for residency and this was granted, after a wait. I was given a vid na zhitelstvo (internal passport). This had the unfortunate disadvantage of requiring me to get an exit visa, each time I wanted to leave the country. (I once waited a month for this, eventhough it was for medical treatment that I sought the visa.) Later, in Kazakhstan, I applied for a license as a private entrepreneur (and a tax number) which was also granted. This allowed me to run my own classes. I paid nothing other than official fees for these, sums amounting to just a few USD equivalent. Apparently, there are current provisions in Russian Law for this approach to living and working in Russia, but I'll leave others with an interest in the question to pursue it (I'm now in China). For starters, you could look at-

http://www.waytorussia.net/business/legal-status.html

(There is more information available at other places on the web, as well.)
Below, is a quote from a lawyer, taken from the web.
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"I have heard that a foreigner can obtain temporary residency in Russia and that, in this case, a foreigner may work in Russia without a work permit. Is this really so, and which other advantages/disadvantages does a person who has obtained temporary residency have?

Yes, you are absolutely right. According to the Foreign Status Law, a foreigner can apply for temporary residence in Russia. The advantages are as follows:

- No work permit and/or approval for the intake of foreign labor are required;
- No restrictions to change the employment position and/or employer are in place;
- A temporary residency permit is issued for three years, and a visa is also required to enter the Russian Federation that will also be valid for three years. This visa is originally issued for four months on the basis of the decision of the Internal Affairs Ministry to grant the temporary residency permit and is extended (by the Internal Affairs Ministry) for the entire term of the permit once the foreign national has obtained it; and
- No restrictions on registration as an individual entrepreneur.

Among the so-called �disadvantages� I can only mention the following restrictions:

- Employment is allowed only within the administrative-territorial unit of Russia where the residency is permitted;
- Residency is permitted only at the address indicated in the permit and, its change is subject to the approval of the Internal Affairs Ministry; and
- You will need to apply for an exit visa to leave Russia for trips abroad."
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Before concluding, I'd like to say that this approach is not realistically available to a teacher who has not spent a considerable amount of time living in Russia, learning how to deal with the beaurocrats (the most challenging part), and learning to speak Russian. I expect the bar is high on that first step, getting the temporary residence visa from the Russian Embassy. You're going to need to have a lot more to offer than just, "I'd like to live and work in Russia, you know?"; then, even succeeding in that, you still have to deal with getting the residency permit, in country, within the four months the visa will give you; and, finally, getting the license as an entrepreneur and a tax number, all in country- steps that could make pulling teeth seem pleasant, and at any one of which you could encounter seemingly insurmountable barriers. That's just the reality in Russia: it takes an iron determination and strong constitution, even for those well conditioned by training and experience, to see things like this through. (Strong enough caveat for any newbies out there?) But, for those with lots of Russian experience, a love of the country, and a desire to "live out your days" there, this is a way to go.

Final request and caveat- research this yourself, laws change.

[zaneth]

Having had teeth pulled in Russia, and having done various other things as well, I can definitely say that there are things here more difficult than pulling teeth.

"Laws change" is somewhat understated.

[BELS]

No I dont beleive this subject is exhausted , I wish there was a lot more of this specific subject covered. There must be hundreds of EFL teachers interested in working in Moscow on a self empoyed basis, without the need of depending on an invitation from a language school. You stated that you applied for a license as a private entrepeneur, can this be done in Moscow, I would really appreciate your advise on this. I have been to a russian lady in Moscow, and we both wish to work as EFL teachers on a self employed basis. We have no problem in getting the students and the classes, the only problem is me, the foreigner working legally.

Would appreciate experience hearing from other teachers working privately, or doing freelance work. I see there are plenty on the site,, but how do you do it.Please let me know.