Key Takeaways
• Russia proposes higher migrant fees starting September 2025 if approved by State Duma on July 11.
• New rules include shorter visa-free stays, stricter deportation, lower migrant worker quotas, and geolocation tracking.
• Migrants face increased costs, rapid deportation risks; employers worry about labor shortages in key sectors.
Russia Moves to Raise Fees and Tighten Rules for Migrants: What You Need to Know
Russia 🇷🇺 is preparing to introduce a wave of new fees and stricter rules for migrants, with changes expected to take effect in September 2025 if approved by lawmakers. These steps come as the country faces growing migration pressure, political debate, and security concerns. Here’s a detailed look at what’s changing, why it matters, and how it could affect millions of migrants, their families, and employers Across Russia.
What’s Happening: New Fees and Stricter Controls
Who: Migrants and foreign nationals in Russia, especially those from Central Asia, as well as employers who hire them.
What: Russia’s Ministry of Finance has proposed a series of new fees and tougher rules for migrants. These changes are designed to increase government revenue and tighten control over migration.
When: If the State Duma (Russia’s parliament) approves the amendments before its July 11, 2025 recess, the new rules and fees will start in September 2025.
Where: Across Russia, with some rules focused on Moscow and the Moscow region.
Why: The government says these steps are needed to manage migration, boost state revenue, and address security concerns. Critics argue the changes will make life harder for migrants and could lead to labor shortages.
How: By raising fees for key migration services, cutting the number of work permits, and giving police more power to detain and deport migrants.
Key Details: The New Fees for Migrants
If the proposed changes become law, migrants in Russia will face several new and higher fees. Here’s a breakdown of the main costs:
- Registration at place of stay: 500 rubles
- Extension of temporary stay: 1,000 rubles
- Issuance or extension of work permits and patents: 4,200 rubles per service
- Duplicate work permits or patents: 2,100 rubles per service
- State duty for registering at place of residence: 1,000 rubles (up from 420 rubles)
These new fees are on top of existing charges for things like residence permits, work permits, and employer permissions. For example, as of July 1, 2024, the state duty for an individual work permit rose to 4,200 rubles (from 3,500), and a corporate work permit now costs 12,000 rubles (up from 10,000). The fee for a residence permit is now 6,000 rubles, and an entry invitation costs 960 rubles.
For migrants, especially those from Central Asia, these new fees mean higher costs at every stage of living and working legally in Russia.
Why the Changes? Background and Context
Russia’s Labor Market and Migrant Workers
Russia 🇷🇺 has long relied on migrant workers, especially from Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. There are about 10.5 million migrant workers in the country, many of whom fill jobs in construction, cleaning, services, and manufacturing.
Security and Political Pressures
The push for new fees and stricter rules comes after a terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in March 2024, which authorities linked to Tajik nationals. This event led to a surge in anti-migrant feeling, mass detentions, and calls for tougher migration policies. Lawmakers and officials say the new rules are needed for national security and better migration management.
Government Revenue
Migration fees and taxes are a major source of income for the Russian government. In 2024, Russia collected nearly 124 billion rubles ($1.6 billion) from personal income taxes on foreign work permits. In just the first five months of 2025, the government collected 63 billion rubles from work permit sales—before the new fees even take effect.
Stricter Migration Controls: What’s New in 2025
The new fees are just one part of a much broader tightening of migration rules in Russia. Here are some of the most important changes:
Shorter Visa-Free Stay
- As of February 5, 2025: Most foreigners can now stay in Russia visa-free for only 90 days per year (down from 90 days per six months). This means migrants must leave the country more often or apply for legal status.
New Expulsion Regime
- Federal Law No. 260-FZ (effective February 5, 2025) introduced a tougher system for expelling foreigners who are in Russia illegally.
- Those listed in the “controlled persons” registry face:
- A ban on business activity, buying property, getting married, or moving within Russia without permission
- More document checks, mandatory fingerprinting, and possible detention
- Police can now order deportation directly, with only 10 days for appeal. Before, a court order was needed.
Heavier Fines
- Companies that provide illegal services to people in the “controlled persons” registry can be fined up to 500,000 rubles.
Lower Migrant Worker Quotas
- For 2025, the quota for temporary migrant workers is set at 5,500—almost half the 2024 quota of 10,595.
- Moscow: 1,000 (down from 1,500)
- Moscow region: 350 (down from 750)
- St. Petersburg: 200 (down from 300)
- Tatarstan and Bashkortostan: 100 each (down from 500)
Geolocation and Pre-Entry Controls
- Starting September 1, 2025: All foreigners in Moscow and the Moscow region will be subject to mandatory geolocation tracking.
- New pre-entry requirements are being introduced for visa-free travelers, especially from Central Asia.
How Will Migrants Be Affected?
Higher Financial Burden
Migrants will have to pay more for every step of legalizing their stay and work in Russia. For example, in Moscow, the patent fee (a type of work permit) is 20,400 rubles plus a monthly tax of 8,900 rubles. These costs add up quickly, especially for low-wage workers.
Legalization Challenges
A special 2025 Amnesty Decree (Presidential Decree No. 1126) allows undocumented migrants to legalize their status by April 30, 2025. However, to qualify, migrants must:
- Pay all outstanding fines
- Show a Russian language certificate
- Have employer sponsorship
This process can be expensive and difficult, especially for those who have already lost their jobs or face discrimination.
Risk of Expulsion and Detention
Migrants who do not follow the new rules face rapid deportation, loss of rights (such as banking, marriage, and movement), and even indefinite detention if they cannot be removed from the country. Police now have more power to detain and deport migrants without a court order, and the time to appeal is very short.
Impact on Employers
Employers who rely on migrant labor will face stricter quotas and higher fees. This could lead to labor shortages in key sectors like construction, cleaning, and manufacturing. Companies that break the rules risk heavy fines and legal trouble.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Officials, Employers, and Rights Groups
Government Officials
- Valentina Kazakova, head of the Main Directorate for Migration Issues, has stressed the importance of migrant work permit fees for the state budget and the need for tighter controls.
- Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the State Duma, says the new laws are needed for national security and better migration management.
Employers
Many employers worry that the new fees and quotas will make it harder to find workers, especially for low-paid jobs that Russians are less likely to take. Some fear that labor shortages could slow down construction projects and hurt the economy.
Migrants and Rights Groups
Activists and NGOs warn that the new rules will make migrants more vulnerable to police abuse, discrimination, and arbitrary expulsion. They say the changes could push more migrants into illegal status, making them easy targets for exploitation.
Historical Context: Why Is Russia Tightening Migration Rules Now?
Russia’s reliance on migrant labor has grown over the past two decades, with millions of workers from Central Asia filling jobs that are hard to staff with local workers. However, migration has always been a sensitive political issue, especially during times of economic or security stress.
The terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in March 2024, which authorities linked to migrants from Tajikistan, sparked a wave of anti-migrant feeling and calls for tougher rules. The government has also been accused of using migration policy to pressure migrants into military service in Ukraine, threatening deportation for those who refuse.
What’s Next? Future Outlook for Migrants in Russia
If the New Fees Are Approved
If lawmakers approve the new fees by July 11, 2025, they will take effect in September 2025. Migrants and employers should prepare for higher costs and stricter rules.
More Tightening Likely
Given ongoing security concerns and economic pressures, experts expect even more restrictions in the future. The government may introduce additional controls or raise fees again.
Labor Shortages Possible
With quotas cut in half and costs rising, sectors that depend on migrant labor could face serious shortages. This could slow down construction, hurt service industries, and make it harder for businesses to grow.
Practical Steps for Migrants and Employers
For Migrants:
- Check your legal status: Make sure your documents are up to date and you understand the new rules.
- Budget for higher fees: Plan for increased costs for registration, work permits, and other services.
- Consider legalization options: If you are undocumented, look into the 2025 Amnesty Decree, but be aware of the requirements.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and regional offices.
For Employers:
- Review quotas: Check the new limits for hiring foreign workers in your region.
- Prepare for higher costs: Factor in the increased fees when planning your workforce needs.
- Avoid legal risks: Make sure all migrant workers have the correct documents and that you follow the new rules to avoid fines.
For official information on migration policy updates and procedures, visit the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration portal.
Expert Opinions: What Do Analysts Say?
Legal experts say these changes mark the biggest tightening of migration policy in Russia in over a decade. The focus is now on enforcement and making it harder for migrants to stay in the country illegally.
Human rights groups warn that the new rules will increase the risk of abuse, arbitrary detention, and social exclusion for migrants, especially those from Central Asia. They also worry that the changes will make it harder for migrants to access basic services and legal protection.
Economic analysts point out that while the new fees may boost government revenue in the short term, they could hurt the economy in the long run by causing labor shortages and making it harder for businesses to find workers.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these sweeping changes reflect a clear move toward greater restriction, higher costs, and more state control over migration in Russia 🇷🇺.
Conclusion: What Should You Do Now?
Russia’s proposed new fees and stricter migration rules are set to reshape the lives of millions of migrants and the businesses that depend on them. If you are a migrant or an employer, it’s important to:
- Stay informed about the latest changes
- Plan for higher costs and stricter rules
- Seek legal advice if you are unsure about your status or rights
The situation is changing quickly, and more restrictions may be on the way. By understanding the new rules and preparing for the changes, migrants and employers can better protect themselves and their futures in Russia 🇷🇺.
Learn Today
State Duma → Russia’s parliament responsible for approving laws such as migration fee amendments and rules.
Work Permit → Official document allowing a migrant to work legally in Russia under specified conditions.
Federal Law No. 260-FZ → Law enacted in February 2025 tightening expulsion and control over irregular migrants.
Quota → A government-set limit on the number of temporary migrant workers allowed in specific regions.
Geolocation Tracking → Mandatory monitoring of migrants’ locations using technology to enforce migration regulations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Russia plans major migrant fee increases and tighter rules by September 2025, impacting millions. New regulations cut visa-free stays, reduce worker quotas, and enhance deportation controls, posing challenges for migrants and employers amid rising political and security concerns.
— By VisaVerge.com
