It depends on the federation. In the us, skaters can get a byes from regionals if the grand prix conflicts with it, and if the skater is lucky enough to get another grand prix that conflicts with sectionals, they will advance to nationals. Usally the world team members get byes (this year its the the top 5 from last year's nationals that have the automatic byes to go straight to nationals.Kovtun will participate the Russian nationals despite withdrowing. IIRC, skaters who participate the GP events make it to the Nationals automatically.
Yeah. I meant Russiathe whole post