The President of the Russian Federation ordered to abolish Federal Drug Control Service and the Federal Migration Service (hereinafter the “FMS”). Decision is formalized by the Executive Order “On Improving State Administration in Exercising Control over the Circulation of Narcotic Substances, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors, and in the Sphere of Migration” No. 156 dated April 5, 2016 (hereinafter the “Executive Order”).
The Executive Order prescribes to transfer functions of the FMS to the Russian Federation Interior Ministry, which will be followed by personnel reduction in the FMS.
The transfer of functions and the reduction of personnel of the FMS may result in delays in migration procedures and technical difficulties in processing the documents being submitted, as well as in issuance of permits and delivery of other services. Restructuring of the FMS is expected to finish before June 1, 2016.