Russia to centralize migrant labor control through mandatory state registries
Russia will strictly limit the employment of migrant workers across most regions starting in 2027, according to legislative amendments reported by Vedomosti.
Under the new rules, foreign citizens and stateless persons may only be hired through a state-controlled "organized recruitment" system managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).
The pilot program will run from 2027 through 2029 and excludes only Moscow and the Moscow region. It will also apply to Ukrainian territories currently annexed by Russia.
New digital registries for workers and employers
The government will establish two centralized databases: the Foreign Workers Registry (RLS) and the Registry of Russian Employers. These digital accounts will remain valid for one year.
Foreigners entering Russia on a visa will be permitted to stay for the duration of their document. However, all other migrant workers will have their temporary stay capped at one year, linked directly to their RLS registration.
Financial requirements and administrative fees
The organized recruitment model introduces several mandatory costs. Changing a visa status to "employment" will cost 30,000 rubles (€286), while inclusion in the RLS costs 1,000 rubles.
Employers must also pay to participate. Organizations face a registration fee of 15,000 rubles (€143), while individuals must pay 1,000 rubles. Special identification cards will be issued at a cost of 5,000 rubles.
Taxation and family dependants
The regional budget will receive a monthly fixed advance income tax (NDFL) of 1,200 rubles (€11) per worker. This amount will be adjusted based on regional coefficients.
If a worker’s family resides with them in Russia, the tax increases by 50% for each dependent. Failure to pay these taxes will result in a shortened legal stay within the country.
Strict compliance and enforcement
The MVD expects the new system to generate 22 billion rubles (€210 million) in annual federal revenue. Workers who go missing for three consecutive days or work outside their authorized region will be removed from the RLS.
Once removed, a worker cannot reapply for one year and will be placed on a "controlled persons" list for migration violators. Following the January 1, 2027 launch, existing employers will have a 180-day transition period to register.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
