How to renew a migration card in 2021?

How long is the card valid?

The standard validity period of a migration card is 3 months or 90 days. The countdown begins from the moment you pass customs control. This period applies to countries that have established visa-free relations with Russia under international treaties.

After receiving the document, the foreigner is given 7 days to make records. A migration card in Russia issued to a foreigner by border guards is valid for 90 days. The break is six months - the new rule is “90/180”. The maximum period of stay in Russia according to the MK is 1 year. The countdown begins from the moment you enter the country.

You can talk about deadlines only after filling out the document. We remind you that you can learn from us how to fill out a migration card at the Border Guard checkpoint.

Validity period of a migration card

The validity period of this document is strictly limited. The time depends on the category of citizens:

Foreigners who have issued a visa for the purpose of visiting the Russian Federation receive permission for the duration of the visa. It ranges from three days to several years.
Migrants who leave the country with a visa-free regime, the period is 90/180 days, depending on the established rules. That is, out of 180 days, you can stay 90 days.

If one or another category of citizens needs to extend the validity of the paper, it is important to adhere to some rules. There are situations that require a mandatory map update. You need to receive a new paper without an extension of time only in a situation where this is provided for by the law. Changing paper does not affect the time spent in Russia.

Difference between renewal and renewal

Free extension of the migration card is allowed. Owners of MK with an expiring term are offered two options.

Update - by leaving the Russian Federation and entering with a new card.
Extend - the procedure takes place at the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Crossing the border to update your migration card in 2020 is mandatory. Otherwise, the migrant will not be able to obtain a new document. We remind you that only the Border Service is responsible for issuing MKs when persons enter Russia.

Consequently, the extension and renewal of the MK differs in the registration authority and departure from the country. Renewal is possible only at the border and after departure, and extension is possible without departure at the migration service.

Required documents

Extension of a migration card requires the provision of certain documents. Among the main papers and certificates are:

standard application on behalf of a foreigner;
an employment contract if the citizen works in the Russian Federation;
copies of the main pages of the passport;
migration card;
official work permit.

See how to write an application for renewal of a migration card. The main text has already been written, all you have to do is fill in your data.

The collected papers must be submitted to one of the UVM departments. This is where they are tested. If everything you need has been submitted, if everything is filled out correctly, a decision is made to extend the main entry document.

Important ! The paper must be valid on the date of application for renewal.

If you encounter problems with renewing your migration card during the quarantine period, you should seek help from qualified lawyers. Our specialists will help you draw up an application, guide you through the documents and eliminate problems if any arise.

If you encounter difficulties and need free legal advice to clarify your specific case, call any toll-free number or leave a request on the website. Moscow and region: +7

St. Petersburg and region:+7

Federal number:+7

Rules for renewal at the end of the term

Before talking about the rules for how to renew a migration card, it should be emphasized that extending the period is a formal statement, since it is not the MK that is being extended, but the migrant’s stay in the Russian Federation.

Extension of stay is possible only if there are good reasons (for example, enrollment in a university or obtaining a work patent). It's time to consider how a migration card is extended when crossing the border with Russia in different situations.

Extension of a migration card in Russia: Video

Preparation of documents

statements (.DOC)

The first question that worries many foreigners is where to renew their migration card? You can increase the validity period of a document at the Main Department of Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at your place of registration.

You can extend the MK using one of the following documents:

a copy of the application for registration of a temporary residence permit;
a copy of the application for Russian citizenship;
ready patent/work permit;
certificate of enrollment in a higher education institution;
a copy of the application requesting political asylum.

Along with the documents and application, the migrant must have a regular passport with him.

For citizens of Ukraine

Ukrainians coming to us ask, if the migration card expires, how can it be extended until the end of the year? The renewal procedure is as follows.

Register at your place of residence in one of the regions.
Visit the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Write an application, attach copies of the MK and Ukrainian passport.
Obtain the right to stay in Russia until the end of the year.

The migration card contains a clause about the purpose of entry into Russia. Applicants are required to indicate the exact purpose (for example, work). If the goal does not coincide with the actual occupation of the migrant, then the MK will be cancelled.

In Crimea

The annexation of Crimea to Russia somewhat changes the legal subtleties of the peninsula. But the procedure for extending the MK is no different. You can extend your migration card in Crimea on the same basis as the MK extension in the regions of Russia.

Ukrainians will need to come to the Crimean Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a passport and write an application according to the sample. Be sure to have a renewal document with you with the current validity period. The renewal procedure is carried out within 3 working days.

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Next steps

After contacting the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, registrars stamp the extension on the migration card. Thus, a foreigner can stay in Russia legally for another 9 months. The law obliges the migrant to register with the migration authority. The procedure is related to the registration of temporary registration at the place of residence.

Timely renewal of migration registration occurs on the basis of a patent. The initiator is the migrant's employer. The procedure takes place at the migration authority at the place of registration. Registration of a foreign citizen gives the opportunity to live and work legally in Russia.

Extension without crossing the Russian border

So, there is a distinction between updating (with on-site) and extending the card (without on-site). For the first case, foreigners need to leave Russia and enter again, simultaneously filling out a new MK sample.

Let's look at the procedure for renewing a migration card without leaving.

Provide a tear-off coupon confirming acceptance of the application for temporary residence permit.
Attach a coupon for issuing a Russian passport.
Submit an official application from the migrant worker’s employer.
Provide documents on enrollment in a higher educational institution of the Russian Federation on a budget or paid basis.
Provide a working patent.
Write an application for refugee status.

The most preferable way to renew the card without leaving the Russian Federation. True, it requires compelling reasons. According to the law, moving to Russia without a purpose is not allowed (even formally).

When registering a temporary residence permit

A convenient way to renew a migration card without leaving the country is to issue a temporary residence permit. A foreigner can also provide information about obtaining a residence permit. But you should remember that the period for obtaining residence permits is up to 6 months. It is better to submit documents in advance.

Thus, the answer to the question whether you can extend your migration card without leaving will be positive. The MK can be extended until the migrant receives a ready-made temporary residence permit or residence permit. According to the new documents, legal residence is extended to 3 and 5 years, respectively.

Upon admission to university

Enrolling in a Russian educational institution is also suitable. The basis is the status of a migrant - a student of a higher educational institution. While studying at a university, a foreigner has the right to stay in Russia for a year. Next, you should take care of obtaining another permit (for example, a temporary residence permit).

Upon employment

Official employment of a migrant can also be considered a reason to renew a migration card. For example, under an employment contract with a company registered in the Russian Federation. The responsibility for the extension is assumed by the migrant’s employer (legal entity or individual entrepreneur).

Established documents for renewal of migration registration under a patent:

application signed by a migrant worker (according to the sample);
a copy of the employment contract with the company;
foreign passport or migrant passport;
a patent with the full name and position of the foreign applicant;
migration document with a valid period;
receipt for payment of state duty.

After considering the application, the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs puts a stamp on the extension of the migration card for the duration of work.

Rules for updating a migration card

migration card (.DOC)

back of the card (.DOC)

Let’s say a migrant does not have valid reasons to extend the validity period of the MK. Then it makes more sense to re-issue it. According to the rules, a new migration card is issued in person in the border zone. Consequently, the foreigner will have to get to the Russian border, leave the country and cross the border checkpoint again.

Features of updating the migration card (MK).

The form is filled out before the checkpoint;
The foreigner indicates his full name, passport information and purpose of arrival.
Updating a migration card is possible after returning the old one.
The term of the updated MK begins again.
After registration, you will need to register for migration.

The method of re-registering an MK is suitable for all foreigners. There are no particular difficulties here, but you need to correctly emphasize the purpose of your visit (enrollment in a university, employment, etc.).

Fine for lack of document

The legislation of the Russian Federation establishes serious sanctions for those who are in the country illegally. In particular, Art. 18.8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses establishes a fine of 2,000 to 5,000 rubles for the absence of an entry document (migration card). For those living in Moscow or St. Petersburg, the fine will cost from 5,000 to 7,000 rubles.

According to the rules, entry and exit to update the migration card must be carried out in advance. A foreigner is not allowed to cross the border without a document. Illegal immigrants are fined on the spot or expelled from Russian territory.

Do cross-border movements affect the renewal of the migration card?

Previously, when a unified database had not yet been created to provide employees of the Federal Migration Service with information about all foreign citizens staying on Russian territory legally, the following algorithm for updating the migration card was in effect:

A person whose period of stay was ending was sent to the border region of the country;
Then he officially left Russia and handed over his migration card at one of the checkpoints;
After spending some time outside Russian territory, the person returned across the border and received at the checkpoint a new migration card with updated periods of stay.

At the moment, such an algorithm makes sense only if it is necessary to change the corresponding document, but it does not affect the residence time.