According to Russian legislation, teenagers can start working from the age of 16, and in some cases, from 14–15 years old. However, for foreign citizens, this process has specific legal requirements.
The main rule is that a parent's work patent does not apply to their children. A work patent can only be obtained independently upon reaching the age of 18. For this reason, minor children of migrants working on the basis of a patent cannot get a job using this document.
However, there are exceptions for certain categories of minors. In particular, teenagers who have a temporary residence permit (RVP) or a permanent residence permit (VNJ) in Russia, as well as citizens of member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) (for example, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan), can be employed without the need for a patent.
Employers are required to strictly comply with the Labor Code of the Russian Federation when concluding an employment contract with minor employees. According to the law, reduced working hours are set for young people. It is also strictly forbidden to employ them at night, for overtime, or in conditions that are hazardous to their health.
