Perizat RISBEK KIZI
In connection with the introduction of new migration rules in Russia, Kyrgyzstan is taking a set of measures, including diplomatic ones, to provide favourable conditions for the passage of these procedures.
New migration policy of Russia
At the end of November, the Russian authorities announced a series of meetings on migration policy. At the first meeting, held on December 21, it became clear that the Russian migration legislation needs to be changed. As a result of the meetings held, on December 29, two federal laws concerning foreigners came into force in Russia – “On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation” and “On state fingerprint registration in the Russian Federation”.
According to the new rules, in order to register in Russia, foreigners will not only have to collect documents, but go through several more procedures – a medical examination, fingerprint registration and photography. If a foreigner came to the Russian Federation to work, he/she will need to do all this within 30 days from the date of entry, either when applying for a patent or when obtaining a work permit.
New rules led to long queues at the MMC
All mandatory procedures for those arriving in Moscow and the Russian Federation are carried out in Multifunctional Migration Centers (MMC). However, in practice, the procedure for conducting medical examinations has become more complicated due to long queues. After the entry into force of the new rules in January at the entrance to the MMC “Sakharovo”, which serves Moscow and the Moscow region, thousands of people were formed wishing to undergo a medical examination and fingerprinting. It was noted that during the working day from 08:00 to 20:00, the MMC serves on average about 4-5 thousand foreign citizens, including up to 500 Kyrgyz citizens. Getting all the necessary services takes about 3 hours, during peak hours – up to 5-6 hours.
Kyrgyzstan asks to simplify medical examination for migrants
The above fact did not go unnoticed at the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Russia. Thus, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic met in the presidential administration of the Russian Federation with Russian deputies, as well as the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry. In addition, there were meetings at the consular level. Also on February 17, 2022, a note was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation by the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Russia with a request to assist in opening a separate corridor for citizens of the EAEU member states in the authorized institutions of Russia for medical examination, fingerprint registration and photography.
The Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic is on an official visit to Russia
The migration issue has also become the main topic of negotiations of the Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh Talant Mamytov, who is on an official visit to Russia. On February 21, the Speaker met with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin. The parties paid special attention to issues related to the legal status of Kyrgyz migrants in Russia. Talent Mamytov noted that during the period of adaptation of the new law, the Russian side could revise the rules for labor migrants from Kyrgyzstan, taking into account the membership of the Kyrgyz Republic in the EAEU.
Kyrgyzstan made a number of proposals to the Russian side
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Madmarov said that the Kyrgyz side made several proposals during negotiations with representatives of the Russian Federation. Proposals include:
- opening of a branch of the Multifunctional Migration Center of Russia in Bishkek;
- exemption of citizens of Kyrgyzstan from liability for their failure to pass a medical examination on time;
- increasing the age of examination for children, which is set by law at 6 years of age.
As noted, the proposals received a positive response from Vyacheslav Volodin. He added that this issue will be worked out and sent to the government of the Russian Federation.
The speaker Talant Mamytov, touching upon the topic of improving the legal status of the Kyrgyz people in Russia, also asked V. Matvienko to assist in carrying out appropriate measures to remove certain categories of citizens of Kyrgyzstan who were on the so-called “black list” and could not be reunited with their families.