At the request of The Moscow Times, experts from Confidence Group have commented on the possibility of UK citizens and residents entering Russia due to changes in the law. The publication can be found here.
We remind you that the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 16.03.2020 N 635-r (hereinafter referred to as the Order) is valid from 14.04.2021 in its new wording, which stipulates that the following persons, in particular, shall not be subject to provisions restricting entry into the Russian Federation:
- citizens of foreign states according to the list in Appendix N 1, entering the Russian Federation from states according to the specified list through air checkpoints across the state border of the Russian Federation;
- persons with a residence permit or other document confirming the right to permanent residence in a foreign country specified in Annex N 1 to this order, and entering the Russian Federation from states according to the above list through air border crossing points of the Russian Federation.
The list of foreign countries according to Annex No. 1 to the Order includes the United Kingdom, despite the current closure of air links between the countries.
Meanwhile, the provisions established by the Order in no way limit the right to enter Russia depending on the opening of air links with the state of nationality or permanent residence of the arriving person, as follows from a literal interpretation of the rule.
This means that UK nationals, as well as those with a residence permit or other document confirming the right to permanent residence in the UK, are entitled to enter Russia both from the UK and from other states according to the list.
This conclusion can also be drawn from a comparison of the legal technique of this act with other by-laws. Thus, Presidential Decree No 791 of 15.12.2020 on the effect of suspension of expired terms of temporary stay, temporary or permanent residence of foreign citizens in Russia uses a direct reference to the date of commencement of air traffic with the relevant foreign state when counting the deadline. This leads to the conclusion that there is no reason to consider that the closure of air links with the UK could be a reason to restrict entry to Russia by UK nationals or residents.
We were also able to get in touch by telephone with specialists from the border service of the Russian Federal Security Service, who confirmed that there were no restrictions on entry into Russia by UK citizens or residents from countries according to the statutory list.
For more information, please contact the consultants of the Confidence Group company.
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