Livingston boss David Martindale is hopeful goalkeeper Ivan Konovalov will be with the club within the next couple of weeks.
The 27-year-old Russian agreed an 18-month contract last week from Rubin Kazan but needs to play the waiting game with his work permit.
The stopper will be expected to compete for the starting jersey with incumbent Max Stryjek once he arrives in West Lothian.
Martindale said: “He’s been awarded his governing body endorsement and it’s usually the case that the work permit just follows that but it’s the steps you have to go through.
“He wasn’t far off meeting the criteria to get an automatic work permit.
“We’ll be looking for him to get his English language test done within the next two weeks but you’re at the mercy of the Russian consulate and whatever their schedule is going to be like.”
He added: “We’re awaiting on the paperwork to start ticking the boxes and get him an interview slot with the consulate.
“But he’s got his governing body endorsement from the SFA and that as good as gets you a work permit so it’s just about getting everything done now.”
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