New visa rules look set to cripple expatriate ministry in Russia, by forcing foreigners to return to their home countries every three months.

The new laws, passed in the last few weeks, say that:

1.    Foreigners can only stay in Russia for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period. After 90 days, they must leave Russia for 90 days. Previously, citizens of the UK and the US were exempt from this restriction: now they are included.

2.    All visa applications will need to be processed in workers' home countries; it will not be possible just to cross the border to Finland or to one of the Baltic countries, as has happened in the past.

'Profoundly disruptive'

Workers on the ground describe these new rules as having the potential to be 'profoundly disruptive ... We ask that you uphold in prayer not only the team, but all foreign workers, and ask that God would grant us all direction, wisdom, and guidance.'

The situation does offer some glimmers of hope:

First, it may not apply to current visa holders (though it will apply as soon as their visas run out).

Second, it is possible at times to get work permits, which do not face the above restrictions – but those are harder to get and are limited in number.

Details of new Business Visa