According to the amendments to the Federal Law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation", new salary requirements for foreign highly qualified specialists (HQS) came into force on March 1, 2024. Employment of foreign employees in the status of HQS requires compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and provision of an appropriate level of income.
Now the minimum salary for HQS must be at least 750,000 rubles before tax deduction for one quarter, which is at least 250,000 rubles per month, (previously – 167,000 rubles per month). This means that by the end of Q1 2024 (end of March) the salary of a foreign highly qualified specialist should already meet the new requirements and amount to at least 750,000 rubles for a given quarter. But there are no specific requirements for the distribution of monthly payments during the quarter. Nevertheless, the salary for January and February must be at least 167,000 rubles, and at the end of March the amount of payments must be at least 750,000 rubles before tax.
Non-compliance with the requirements for the payment of foreign highly qualified employees threatens the employing company with an administrative fine, temporary suspension of the organization's activities or, in some cases, criminal liability.
Now the minimum salary for HQS must be at least 750,000 rubles before tax deduction for one quarter, which is at least 250,000 rubles per month, (previously – 167,000 rubles per month). This means that by the end of Q1 2024 (end of March) the salary of a foreign highly qualified specialist should already meet the new requirements and amount to at least 750,000 rubles for a given quarter. But there are no specific requirements for the distribution of monthly payments during the quarter. Nevertheless, the salary for January and February must be at least 167,000 rubles, and at the end of March the amount of payments must be at least 750,000 rubles before tax.
Non-compliance with the requirements for the payment of foreign highly qualified employees threatens the employing company with an administrative fine, temporary suspension of the organization's activities or, in some cases, criminal liability.