Medical examination of foreign nationals for the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as infectious diseases and HIV infection

The absence of particularly dangerous infectious diseases and HIV infection in a foreign national is one of the mandatory conditions for a foreign national’s long-term stay in the Russian Federation.

📢September 1, 2026 sees the entry into force of Federal Law No. 162-FZ of 10.06.2026 which amended Federal Law No. 115-FZ of 25.07.2002 “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation,” changing the rules for medical examinations of foreign nationals.
 
➡️Now all foreign nationals arriving in Russia for more than 90 days, regardless of their purpose, are required to undergo a medical examination within 30 calendar days of entering the Russian Federation (more details here). This does not apply to foreign nationals with a temporary residence permit or residence permit.

Following the medical examination, the following will be issued:
● a medical conclusion on the presence (absence) of the use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor’s prescription, or new potentially dangerous psychoactive substances;
● a medical conclusion on the presence (absence) of infectious diseases that pose a danger to others, and HIV infection.

The conclusion is issued, including in electronic form, and entered into the unified information system of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. 

If foreign nationals are found to have diseases that pose a danger to others or to have used prohibited substances, medical organizations will be required to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and Rospotrebnadzor within 24 hours so that an urgent decision can be made on deportation.

➡️Also, as of June 10, 2026, penalties have been increased for evading a medical examination.

A foreign national’s or stateless person’s refusal or evasion of a mandatory medical examination entails:
- a reduction in the period of temporary stay of the foreign national in the Russian Federation
- a fine of 25,000 to 50,000 rubles, with possible administrative deportation from the Russian Federation
- if the fine is not paid on time — a fine equal to twice the amount of the unpaid fine, with mandatory deportation.

Violation of the established procedure for conducting medical examinations of foreign nationals or stateless persons (if the act does not constitute a criminal offense) is punishable by a fine:
- for individuals, from 25,000 to 100,000 rubles;
- for officials – from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles;
- for legal entities – from 300,000 to 1 million rubles, or administrative suspension of the legal entity’s activities for a period of 14 to 90 days.
 
➡️ As of June 21, 2026, criminal liability was introduced for producing and selling forged certificates confirming the absence of dangerous diseases. (more details here)