New Entry Medical law starting September 1

Travel to Russia
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:record_button:President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed laws that change the rules of medical examination for foreigners and increase responsibility for evading it.

:right_arrow:About reducing the term of medical examination

Citizens will be obliged to undergo a medical examination within 30 calendar days from the date of entry into the Russian Federation.

Previously, this term was 90 days.

:high_voltage:Following the medical examination, a conclusion will be issued, including in electronic form, and entered into the unified information system of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. In case of detection of dangerous diseases or the use of prohibited substances in foreigners, medical organizations will be obliged to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and Rospotrebnadzor within 24 hours for making an operational decision on expulsion.

These changes will come into force on September 1, 2026.

:right_arrow:About increasing responsibility

The refusal or evasion of a foreign citizen or a stateless person from undergoing an obligatory medical examination entails:

  • a fine of 25 to 50 thousand rubles with a possible administrative deportation from the Russian Federation;
  • in case of non-payment of the fine on time - a fine in the amount of twice the unpaid fine with mandatory deportation.
    According to the novellas provided for by Article 18.11.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and Part 3.1 of Article 20.25 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

:speaking_head:Cases of such administrative offenses may be initiated and considered exclusively by officials of the internal affairs bodies.

In addition, the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation is supplemented with a new Article 18.21, which provides for responsibility for violation of the established order of conducting a medical examination of foreign citizens or stateless persons, if this action does not contain a criminally punishable act, in the form of a fine:

  • for citizens - from 25 to 100 thousand rubles;
  • for officials - from 100 to 200 thousand rubles;
  • for legal entities - from 300 thousand to 1 million rubles or administrative suspension of the activities of legal entities for a period of 14 to 90 days.

The case under Article 18.21 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation may be initiated and considered by officials of Rospotrebnadzor and its territorial bodies. Also, the case materials may be transferred for consideration to the court.

:red_exclamation_mark:The relevant federal law has come into force.

:speech_balloon:In addition, criminal liability is introduced for forgery and sale of forged certificates of the absence of dangerous diseases.

#НовоеВзаконодательстве

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@NorseVictory This has been a law for many years but I think its related to long term stays, over 90 days. I’ll need a bit more information.

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@KO11
Correct it was for stays over 90 days. They have changed it from 90 to 30.

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@NorseVictory What is the source here? I’ve never been asked about my length of stay on entry. Nor have I been asked about a exit plan. Anyway, can you post the original source on this so I can do a deep dive?

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@NorseVictory From what I see this only relates to “migrants” and I assume traveling on a tourist visa does not consitute you being a migrant. Is that your understanding?

“In addition, the law requires labor migrants and foreign citizens planning to stay in Russia for more than 90 days to undergo annual repeated medical examinations. The results of the examinations will be entered into the state information system, and information about the detection of narcotic substances, infectious diseases, or HIV will be automatically transmitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.” - from yesterday news article.

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@NorseVictory Your OP states “citizens” are required. Citizens of where? lol Something here doesn’t make sense.

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@NorseVictory I’ll check back to confirm but so far I can’t find anything that says tourists who are allowed to stay up to 180 days will now be required to get a medical evaluation (and therefore must be in the SNILS database) if they stay over 30 days. I only see articles saying 90 days, as recent as yesterday.

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@NorseVictory Seems to me the rule is still “planning for” 90+ day stays but the exam is required within the first 30 days, rather than exam is required for 30+ day stays.

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@KO11 https://t.me/migrpost/1059

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@NorseVictory Thanks. Very difficult translation but I see now this has no relationship to stays less than 90 days.

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@NorseVictory It has nothing to do with stays over 30 days. The only change is how long you have to get the exam for stays that require it. Migrant workers, 90+ days stays, etc. The type or length of stay requiring an exam hasnt changed.

Anyone disagree?

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This is what AI has to say about it:

Under Russian decree and federal law, most foreign citizens planning to stay in Russia for more than 30 to 90 days are required to undergo a mandatory medical examination, fingerprinting, and photographing.
Key Requirements at a Glance

Deadline: You must complete your medical examination and state registration within 30 days of your arrival.

Tests Included: Screenings check for HIV, dangerous infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea), and the presence of prohibited narcotic or psychotropic substances.

Validity: Medical certificates are generally valid for 12 months, and you are required to renew and submit updated results upon their expiration.

Exemptions: Citizens of Belarus, children under 6 years old, and certain diplomatic personnel or representatives of international organizations are generally exempt.

Penalties: Failure to undergo these exams or use of forged certificates can lead to administrative fines (up to RUB 50,000), revoked work/residence permits, and potential deportation.

The Process
Find an Authorized Clinic: You must use official medical organizations authorized by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) to conduct these examinations. Delegating your medical tests to an uncertified third party is strictly illegal.

Required Documents: When you visit the clinic, you will typically need to bring your original passport, a notarized Russian translation of your passport, and your migration registration card.

Register Your Biometrics: Once the medical documents are issued, you must submit them to your local Territorial Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to complete the mandatory fingerprinting and photographing.

Tourist and Business Visas: If you are traveling on a standard tourist, business, or private visa for less than 90 days, you are fully exempt from these specific medical requirements

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@Cal Thanks, the bold type at the bottom seems to clear it up.

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Can someone with low viral load or undetectable viral load of hepatitis b study in Russia?

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@Olagoke Can someone with low viral load or undetectable viral load of hepatitis b study in Russia?

@Cal Can someone with low viral load or undetectable viral load of hepatitis b study in Russia?