External labor migration office in Sakharovo – Moscow Department of Federal Migration Service – has reinforced the conditions of payments as per the official website of the Head Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As a result, payment orders on state fees from individuals will no longer be accepted. During the submission of work permits for foreign specialists, it is now required to provide a payment order from a current bank account of a sponsoring employer (not an individual or a third party). Payment orders must also be verified with the round seal of a company`s bank. Additionally, the same Moscow department has implemented verification of a foreign worker’s VMI (voluntary medical insurance) contract to ensure that all requirements stated in decree no. 3793-U are met: Validity terms of VMI agreement (policy) has to match the requested term of the work permit. Insured sum has to be no less than 100,000 RUB per insured person. Territorial coverage of VMI agreement (policy) has to include the Russian region where an insured foreign citizen intends to work. This summary was prepared using information obtained from the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Interior of Russia (website displays Russian). Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact the Regional Immigration Manager, EMEA, Vladimir Dziak: vdziak@crownww.com.