New rules for the medical examination of foreign nationals

Federal Law No. 162-FZ of 10.06.2026 "On Amendments to Article 34 of the Federal Law ‘On the Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of the Population’, which introduces a unified procedure for the medical examination of foreign nationals, has been adopted.

Upon entering Russia, foreign nationals are required to undergo a medical examination to determine whether they have used narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, and to detect infectious diseases. 

The following changes have been made:

✔️All foreign nationals entering for a period of more than 90 days must now undergo an initial medical examination within 30 calendar days of the date of entry.
(The medical examination is required when applying for 
- temporary residence permits (RVP), 
- temporary residence permits for education (RVPO), 
- permanent residence permits (VNZh), 
- work permits for citizens of visa-required countries, 
- those arriving in Russia for more than 90 days for purposes unrelated to employment (as well as when changing the purpose of the visit), 
- the purpose of employment, 
- those engaged in employment without a work permit or patent, 
- the purpose of obtaining a work permit, 
- obtaining (renewing) a patent).

➖A repeat medical examination must be completed within 30 days after one year has elapsed. 

➖Highly qualified specialists (HQS) are exempt from annual re-examinations, but must undergo a medical examination within 30 days from the date a decision is made to extend their work permit.

✔️The medical examination is paid for by the foreign national; the law also provides for the medical examination to be paid for by the employer or customer of the work (services).

✔️Medical reports are issued as electronic documents and uploaded within 24 hours to the federal register of documents containing information on the results of medical examinations of foreign nationals, maintained in the Unified State Health Information System (EGISZ).
Upon request, the person is issued a paper extract confirming the contents of the electronic report. 

✔️Roszdravnadzor maintains a federal register of medical organizations authorized to conduct medical examinations. 
The senior official of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation is required to approve a regional list of such clinics, including laboratories for chemical and toxicological testing.

✔️Authorized organizations are prohibited from transferring to third parties their rights and obligations to conduct medical examinations and upload reports to EGISZ.

✔️Medical organizations are required to send information as electronic documents bearing an enhanced qualified electronic signature within 24 hours:
- to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs — information about issued reports;
- to Rospotrebnadzor — information about the detection of an infectious disease in a foreign national.


Effective September 1, 2026